This month started on a Sunday, and that felt significant. It also happened to be the day of our monthly Bible study, so that’s where I spent most of my morning and afternoon.
We’ve been going through Knowing the Loving God by Paul David Washer, and it has been so, so good, discovering and rediscovering the different attributes of God, and how they shape our lives and our relationship with Him. In my personal quiet time, I’m almost done reading The Awe of God by John Bevere. I can’t fully describe the joy and wonder I feel every time I dive into a new chapter and learn something new. I think that’s the beauty of it, there will never be an end to knowing God. He is incomprehensible, and yet He desires to be known.
That book has been full of gems. It’s one I’d recommend to others and definitely revisit again and again. Reading as part of my devotion has stirred something in me, I’ve found myself wanting to buy more Christian books, especially on topics I’m curious about like fruitfulness, faith, and suffering. It’s made my quiet time so much deeper. I even have a bunch of books sitting in my Amazon cart already, I can’t wait. Thankfully, I already have my next read lined up.
On a lighter note, all my favorite shows came back with new seasons, and I also discovered some great new ones, as well as some really good podcasts. I’ve been enjoying taking in more Christian content overall, sermons, podcasts, music, it’s been enriching. I was invited to a ladies’ conference at a friend’s church, and I got to spend the day with her, which was really nice. The theme was rest. How to rest in God when you’ve sinned, when you’re experiencing shame, and in suffering. I was drawn to the topic, but I did feel like they didn’t fully lean into the reality of suffering as a Christian, how it’s unavoidable. To be in Christ is, in many ways, to suffer, but it’s a suffering that leads to growth, to sanctification.
I also celebrated a friend’s birthday, something the three of us have turned into a tradition. We go out for lunch, cut cake, blow out candles, and celebrate the birthday girl. We’ve been doing this for a few years now. We used to work together, and even after changing jobs, we stayed friends. But I did find myself wondering if we’ve outgrown the friendship. Conversation didn’t flow as easily, and it felt like we barely had anything to talk about. Maybe we’ve all changed… or maybe it’s just me. I’m still sitting with that.
The week we celebrated four years as a Bible study group, I got really sick, tonsillitis. It was awful. I ended up going to the hospital and was prescribed strong medication that thankfully worked quickly. I was able to join my group on Sunday afternoon, and we spent time chatting, eating, and laughing. I felt so grateful for this chosen family. Overall, it was a great month. I did a lot, lost some weight, and made progress with my financial investments. I’m looking forward to the long Easter holiday, which I’ll be spending with family.
...THROUGH MY EYES ✨ 