Friday, August 29, 2008

I'm Finished

I finished reading through the Psalms. Back on Memorial Day Weekend I felt the Lord nudging me to spend the summer months reading through this beloved book. I hesitated for a moment, after all it is the largest book in the bible and my past record of summer reading and studying of scripture was very dismal. But I decided to take the challenge. And I am so glad I did.

My goal was to finish by Labor Day Weekend. And today I read through the last few on my list. I did not go in any particular order, but kept track as I finished each one. I kept a journal of my reading and found myself keeping track of certain themes that the Lord was revealing over and over.

At first it was a challenge, the busy days of kids being home, the flood, and all that life brings during the summer months, but as the weeks rolled by I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. I found myself excited to get up in the morning and longing to spend time reading through the next group of Psalms on my list.

It was truly what sustained me throughout the fifteen days my husband was in Bulgaria. I never missed a day while he was away.

Some days I felt as though I was on a roller coaster. One minute I was rejoicing, the next I was weeping. I have a new reverence for His majesty. The word "righteousness" is all over the place and I prayed for a deeper understanding of what the Lord requires for those who seek Him.

He speaks of His great love for us and reminds us that He hates evil. He calls us to rejoice with Him and yet understands our deepest sorrow.

Labor Day weekend is always the close of summer. This particular summer it is the close of a journey for me, one of which I am so thankful for the Lord's nudging.

The kids have finished seven days of school. I have signed more forms, written more checks, and attended more orientation meetings in the past week than anyone should ever be required too. But this is the year with one in high school, one in junior high, one in middle school, a second grader and a caboose of a three year old. It should be fun!

8 comments:

Tammy said...

I loved hearing your passion for God's Word. I, too, love getting up each morning and spending time in His Word. It really is alive and it's amazing how intimate and personal it is if we will just get into it consistantly.
Thanks for sharing. I am in my second year of reading through the Bible in a year and loving it. Perhaps I'll take the Psalms challenge next! :)

LuLu (a.k.a. Cyndi) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LuLu (a.k.a. Cyndi) said...

I love your shoe pic. I hope you guys are all doing well. Please tell Marvin Scott and I said hello! I have fallen in love with the Psalms it's one of those books that you get something out of no matter how many times you read it. Thanks for sharing!

Susanne said...

Good for you for being determined. I was really interested to hear that you didn't go in order but kept track of which ones you had read. I've never thought to do that. May the Lord keep speaking to your heart from the Psalms even though you are officially through them. This was an encouragement to me, Chris!

And I must say my goodness, what an interesting phase you are in with the family with a child in every stage. I'm sure there will be good posts forth coming! :v)

Amie said...

I think this would be saying YES to God. :)

Great picture! I would say you absolutely have the advantage to answering any mothering questions with that age range - that is just awesome.

Heth said...

What a precious time in the Word. He always knows exactly what we need, and when we need it.

Melissa said...

I just finished John...it took me EIGHT MONTHS. But I wanted to digest it slowly. As with you, God was always right on time!

Lisa Spence said...

I too love the Psalms. How precious is God's living Word that sustains and strengthens!