Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The Journey is Far From Over

Today is a momentous day in my life.


Today I accomplished something I have wanted to do for many, many years.


Today, just a few minutes ago, I finished the last book...the last chapter...the last verse...of the Bible.


Remember when Facebook was all the rage with everyone's lists of their "25 Random Things About Me?" Mine included things like:
  • My hands and feet are always freezing. They seem to be the chilliest just before I go to bed. I like to put them on my husband in bed and watch him squirm. It's one of my favorite things.
  • I am weirdly obsessed with keeping things clean and organized....like the DVR...I want it to be at 0% capacity so bad...but Matt keeps recording stuff and never erases it. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. I also have to have my e-mail Inbox cleaned out everyday and all of my saved e-mailed organized into folders. I know...it's weird.
  • I was Valedictorian of my high school class.
  • I miss my puppy and think about her still almost everyday.
  • I screen my phone calls. I really just hate the phone. I only call people back if they leave me a message...and usually it takes a few days for that.
  • My best friend at work is a 60 year old man with one leg...no joke...he's awesome!

Well, unlike my list of completely irrelevant facts, I read a list of one of my "friends" (AKA girl from high school I never talked to) and she said:

  • I read the Holy Bible cover to cover last year.
Whoa! Now that's something! I screen my phone calls and this girl read the whole Bible?

Not everyone knows my religious background...or how I came to believe what I believe...but it was not something I grew up with. I wasn't the girl who knew the stories from the Bible she learned in Sunday School. I didn't go to Sunday School. I was the teenager in church who was hearing things for the first time and not understanding how they fit. I desperately wanted to know but felt completely lost and overwhelmed by the daunting task of reading something so intimidating.

But this was my wake up call. I actually knew someone who had sat down and just read. Cover to cover. The entire Bible. Why couldn't I do it too? Plus I had just finished Breaking Dawn which was a huge book so how much longer could it really take me to read a few hundred more pages, right? (Unfortunately, this is actually what I thought.)

Well, clearly it took me much longer than a few weeks. It took me just over a year of reading everyday during my break times at work. It was a time already carved out that I could do something useful. I am now officially, "the girl who reads her Bible in the cafeteria." And you know what? I'm okay with it.

I know that God has made it possible for me to do this. I feel more mature in my faith and I have such a better understanding of my purpose than I did before. I feel changed. I feel fantastic.

Now I am in no way ending my journey here. I haven't exactly decided what type of study I am going to pursue next...but I'm on the hunt (any suggestions?!?). I understand that being in the word is a daily task I need to continue that will only strengthen my faith and relationship with God.

I wanted to share this with all of you because:

If you haven't done it....now YOU know someone who has...and you can too!

If you have done it...know you have been an inspiration to me. I never imagined that blogging could so deeply encourage my walk as a Christian but I have met some amazing women who are such an example to me and I thank you so much for the impact you have had on my life.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

23 comments:

Patience said...

That is awesome and something to be proud of.

April said...

I just started doing this yesterday :) I'm actually doing a chronological reading rather than cover-to-cover, but it's essentially the same thing, just in a slightly different order. My best friend is reading it with me. I'm really excited about it!

Good for you for making it all the way through :)

Dollface said...

good for you!!! it always feels well deserved to finish something you started... enter my giveaway pullleassee... xxxoo

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Wow...that is so awesome! What an inspiration!

Sonja said...

I'm so proud of you for doing that. I've read books and certain versus but never the whole thing.

I want to make it one of my goals; it just intimidates me. lol

You can go to CBN.com and read the entire thing (they have a read the bible in a year program) and also get new goals. :)

The Duchess of Duke said...

wow. that is really inspirational! I'm looking forward to seeing where the journey takes you from here!

Lucy Marie said...

Congratulations! You have done such a great job! I'm planning on doing just the NT in a year ... maybe next year I'll hit the OT. I've always wanted to do a study of the women of the bible. Maybe that would be something interesting to you?

The Shabby Princess said...

Congratulations!! I'm so proud of you. I have to say that I have never done that myself. I make it about half way through and start over. I'm currently studying The Old Testament and trying to better my understanding there. You're amazing and I love you!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!
I didn't grow up knowing the bible stories either and I made a bucket list last year. I put on there to read the bible as well.
I just started last month. I'm doing a 90 day reading plan so hopefully I can stick to it and in May I can check it off my list!

Brittany Ann said...

That is so awesome and inspiring! Good for you!

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

That is an amazing thing! I only wish for the patience and perserverance to read the entire Bible some day.

Mrs. Dawkter said...

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Vee said...

Congratulations, that's an incredible accomplishment! It's such a great feeling to commit to a goal and finish it - especially such a rewarding goal.

Thanks for the inspiration!

jenn said...

Wow - congrats!! Did you read a modified version that was easier to understand - or like the tradional King James version? I've thought of reading the Bible before (it is the most popular book in the world, after all), but it seems so hard with all of the old language stylings, etc.

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Emily said...

ahhh yay!! Congrats my friend:)

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

you go girl!! that's awesome! congratulations!!

Lora said...

That's great! I did it when I was in high school because I thought I "should"

Now I'd like to do it for more...right?...reasons.

Unknown said...

Wow, that is pretty amazing. Congrats. I wish I could say the same.

5th Belle Avenue said...

That is AMAZING!!!! Congratulations, girl! You are such an inspiration. What an accomplishment!

Meghan said...

Wow! What an incredible feat!

Tasha said...

That is so awesome! I keep meaning to read it cover to cover and you have totally inspired me!

tootie said...

This is my new year's resolution this year! I'm getting close to finishing, but still have a little ways to go. Your story has inspired me to keep going!