Bible In A Year Update 3: I’m A Failure!

Posted on April 2, 2008 by elizabeth

Honestly, what was I thinking?!

I can hardly squeeze a shower in, let alone eat a meal. How in the WORLD did I imagine I was going to read the entire Bible this year?

But that’s me. I always get in waaaaaay over my head. It’s embarrassing.

I still think reading the Bible in a year is a grand idea. IF you didn’t just give birth to twins!

Will you forgive me if I graciously bow out? I mean, here I was, trying to gulp down like three chapters while eating cereal, or speed-reading through five chapters while breastfeeding a baby. So, sure, I could technically (that’s my word for this week, can’t you tell?) finish the Bible in a year. But just doing it for the sake of being able to say: yeah, I did it in a year! Blech.

But here’s the thing: I’m not giving up entirely. All I’m saying is….I won’t be finishing it THIS year. I see this as a 2 year endeavor.

Maybe 3 years.

So this is me, real mom again, admitting that I can’t do everything. Can you hear me now?

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  • Michelle Hart

    so glad you’re a real human being and not afraid to admit it, sister! hang in there! and remember, the Lord knows just where we are at in our walk with Him :)

  • http://anothermomonthego.blogspot.com Just Mom

    I’m so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o disappointed in you.

    ;-D

    Actually, the Bible should be read prayerfully. If that means it takes you two or more years, so be it.

  • http://www.withgreatjoy.blogspot.com Stacy

    Aw, give yourself FOUR years! :) Or just read it at your own pace, why dontcha?

    I’ve never had twins and I haven’t been able to read through the Bible in a year. Ever. Because I’d miss a day or two or five and then I could never catch up. Or I’d scramble to catch up but then really, was I really taking it all in or just skimming to catch up?
    I’ve since decided that it isn’t for me. I do read my Bible, mind you. And regularly. Just not on a schedule.

    Love to you!

    ~Stacy

  • http://www.sixblessings.blogspot.com Carmen

    Phew! I am so glad I’m not alone! I have to say that once I hit Leviticus it was all downhill from there! My bookmark is stuck in late February. I’m bummed but I, too, am not about to speed read to say that I did it. We’re moving in a few weeks and baby number 7 is due in early May. So…sign me up for the two or maybe even three year plan, eh?

  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    it may be just partially an excuse…but i have always found my attempts to read through the entire bible to be stifling and i end up getting very little from it.

    instead, give yourself reasonable goals. pick certain books that you want to finish in a set amount of time.

    a great quote by nora roberts—that i am parapharasing a bit,

    “with all of the balls you are juggling, some rubber some glass, you have to pay special attention that you do not drop the glass ones.”

    give yourself a break and hold onto those glass balls.

  • Sarah O.

    I have two children, not FIVE and still haven’t made it through Exodus! Take heart! I, too, will join you on the 2 year + plan knowing full well that “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:21)…even when it comes to reading His Word. Thanks for being so honest, Elizabeth, it’s refreshing!

  • http://www.withcontentment.blogspot.com Mel

    A little teary from the James post!

    I’ve set out to read the Bible from cover to cover (as opposed to flipping to favorites) but NO time line. Just daily reading. I’m in Leviticus (sp?) right now and it’s tough but it sure gives an overall view of how encompassing God’s plan is!…and makes Christ’s sacrifice so sweet.

  • Cathy

    I’m not sure that I agree that the Bible “should be read prayerfully,” because if that’s the case, I may not read it on most days. Regardless of my attitude when I read it, I ALWAYS get something out of the reading…even if it’s just wondering why what I just read is in the Bible!

    Elizabeth, you’re under grace. Enjoy the freedom in Christ. My former pastor used to say read the amount with which you’re comfortable reading that day. Well, geez, thanks, Dave, but I’m under the law! I need an amount.

    Aren’t you thrilled that we’re NOT under the law?

    “Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ.”
    Martin Luther

    Enjoy your weekend.

    Cathy

  • Cathy

    That should have read: “My pastor used to say TO…” Otherwise, it would have needed quotation marks.

    I’m tired.

  • http://karennkool.blogspot.com karenkool

    Amen sister. Amen.

  • http://barchesterexcerpts.blogspot.com Lisa, The Correspondent

    I agree completely with a long-term Bible reading plan (I don’t have twins, but I do have five kids).

    At this season of life, there’s simply no way I can cover five chapters meditatively, or even three for that matter, and it’s pointless to me to simply cover material instead of reading for content. Like you sort of said, doing it for the sake of bragging rights is missing the point.

    I’m in Joel now, and I’ve lost track of how long it has been since Genesis, but at least I’m learning stuff and not just checking boxes off a list of deadlines.