Early last year I made a commitment to read the Bible in one year (see this post), and I completed my reading on December 31, 2009.  I felt so happy with this accomplishment and it’s such a great feeling.  Looking back on the year, I wasn’t always on schedule and seemed like I was always playing catch-up.  As a busy mom, it was not easy keeping up with the daily reading but I refused to let my “being a busy mom” be an excuse.  I understand that whatever life stage we’re in right now we can always come up with different excuses for not reading.  I hope that those who didn’t complete their reading in one year won’t give up but be even more determined to finish a new round of Bible reading this year.

Over the year I discovered several ways to tackle my daily reading and I hope these “techniques” may enlighten you and help you be creative in keeping on schedule.

• I take a walk with a friend every morning at 6:30 a.m. for about 30-40 minutes.  After which I lock myself in a room to read my Bible for about one hour.   I discussed this first with my husband so he could deter any halflings (AKA: the little people in this house) from disturbing my daily reading.  While this was the best method in accomplishing my daily readings, this wasn’t always an option because things happen such as being up all night with a sick kid.  So in keeping with schedule, I have another method. . . . .
• Read the Bible whenever I can get a free moment.  I leave my Bible open on the kitchen counter and whenever I can steal a moment, I read a paragraph or two and most of the time I can read a chapter or two.  Sometimes I read my Bible while I feed my baby in her highchair.
• When I get really, really behind in my readings, I go and hang out at a local coffee shop to catch up on my reading for about an hour or two.  This usually happens on the weekends when my husband is home to watch the kids.  Chilling at a coffee house is such a precious and favorite pastime of mine.  I have finally figured out which is the best coffee house to hang out and read, and it’s not Starbucks. I think I’m getting old because I now find that the music at Starbucks is too disruptive for me.  I much prefer a nice and relaxing place that plays classical music.. . . . I know. . . I digressed.

I am excited to start another round of Bible reading this year.  Will you join me?  The reading plan I’m using is Discipleship Journal’s One-Year Plan.