The first week of the new year is completed. I didn’t make resolutions or create new goals. But I have begun working on some things with renewed energy that have been lingering thoughts for the past month.
Bible Reading
My Bible reading has been haphazard in the past few months. I haven’t been working on a specific plan since I dropped out of the reading plan I had chosen last January. Instead, I read passages based on sermons, lessons, or books I was reading. A few years ago, Ron and I read through the Bible several times a year using a 90-day plan. And that’s what we’ve decided to do again this year. I know it sounds hard, but it takes less than an hour to read the complete Bible in three months or about a half hour a day to read it in 6 months. Reading several chapters provides flow and understanding of the big picture. Already in this first week, I am finding refreshed energy and joy in the reading as I marvel at the work of our God in the stories of Genesis, Job, and Exodus.
Do you have a Bible reading plan? If so, what plan are you working on? I’d love to hear about your time in the Word.
Our community group will focus on Bible reading and study for a few weeks to go along with our time in the Word. We are looking at both the devotional big picture using Andy Abernethy’s book Savoring Scripture and strategies for noticing key elements in our reading using James Coakley’s book, 14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible. I recommend both books to you for inspiration!
If you want to read more about studying scripture, check out this post OR this one OR this one.
Exercise
With the fall and broken shoulder, I spent many weeks camping out in the house, nursing my injury with rest. Now that the bone is healed and the muscles are beginning to cooperate, it is time to pursue activity. But honestly, I am the world’s worst at motivating myself to exercise. I will gladly read the right books, listen to the right podcasts, and locate all the right tools, but then avoid actually doing the moving!
We have a big trip coming up in a couple of months – a 50th-anniversary kind of trip – and I want to feel my best and keep up with our traveling partners. So, I hired an exercise coach. So far outside my comfort zone! Today was our first meeting, and I’m so glad I did it! The coach is personable, funny, and smart. I already look forward to future sessions, and although I only have eight weeks for this particular activity, I can see where it will make a difference.
For those of you who know about the broken shoulder, I am improving. I don’t have a full range of motion yet – that may take several more months, but I am making good progress. Reaching the top of my head with my injured arm makes shampooing my hair much more satisfying LOL. Still, I can’t reach dishes out of cabinets over my head. Goals are measured in daily tasks I want to be able to do!
I wrote about the fall and my progress here, then 1 month later and 2 months later.
Cooking
I used to love to cook. And sometimes I still do. Cooking for two retired folks is different than cooking for the family. We can be quite happy just scrounging something out of the fridge. But our foraging often isn’t all that healthy -veggies don’t lend themselves to foraging, if you know what I mean. Those meals are more about sandwiches, chips, queso, and the like. So, I have been tackling our dinner meal with renewed energy. I choose one or two new recipes weekly, buy the ingredients, and sample them. It’s been fun so far – 3 recipes in! Last night’s was a particular winner. Here’s the link to Baked Feta and Tomato Spaghetti Squash!
Writing Project
Since 2022, I have been thinking about and playing with the possibility of a writing project. I tried working on the project at varying times, but it fizzled. Still, it may fizzle again. But it is something on the back burner of my mind more often these days. Maybe this project will find the light of day in 2024.
Wrap-UP
So, there are no resolutions or goals, just renewed energy this winter. How about you? Do you have a resolution? A goal? Renewed energy in any particular area?
Prayer
Father, You who leads us as a shepherd
Leads His flock, You who establish our steps
Lighting our paths each day, would You
Shine Your light into our lives, opening
Our minds and hearts so that we might
Join You in your work. May our plans be
The result of Your guidance and bring
Honor to Your Name. May we lean hard
On You, and represent You well in our
Endeavors for Your name’s sake. Amen.
