third Tuesday check-in

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! It's time for the third Tuesday check-in, when I'll share a very honest assessment on how life is going in terms of spiritually, physically, emotionally, and personally speaking. I'll ask you to chime in at the end, so I hope you think about your own answers as you read mine. I'll jump in!

spiritually

As I sat down to write this post, I've finished 78 days of reading in the Bible this year. I don't say that to brag, but to check-in for accountability. I thank the Lord that He has helped me with this, especially since I'd gotten out of the habit in 2023. It's so easy to get out of the habit of reading the Bible! I'd gotten so used to just doing a quick devotional each day last year that was hard to pick this up again. I love devotionals and think there is a time and a place for them, and sometimes that is all we can manage. There's nothing wrong with that; I just wanted more than that for myself now that I have more time. I really love digging into God's word and studying; I haven't been involved in a study since my last one that I participated in ended back in October. I am loving reading along with the Bible recap community! I'm part of a private Facebook group that really maximizes the daily reading. People share articles, videos, and maps pertaining to what we've read that day, and I've gone down several rabbit trails lately in looking at them all. 

Needless to say, as I spend time with Jesus, I feel near to Him. The opposite is true: when I don't spend time with Him, I don't feel close to Him. The words from James 4:8 are true—draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 

physically

I don't feel any different physically this month that I did last month. I really need to just be more active on the days when I don't work. I think that on those days, I stay so busy and active that I hurt (in a good way mostly) when I go to bed at night. That's a definite perk to my job: I stay busy and move around a bunch while I'm there. I need to take a cue from my friend Kelly; she walks a lap around the building on nice days just to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. I'm not there long enough to do that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but it'd be great to do a couple of times on Thursdays when I'm there all day. 

emotionally

Was it last month that I was so emotional? I'm glad to say that's not the case this month. I do feel like I am needing to be strong right now, since Todd is having his surgery this week. I don't want him to see my dread in this; realistically, I don't have anything to dread, since I have nothing to compare this particular surgery to. His last experience at surgery was traumatic, but he also had major abdominal surgery. This one is very routine, and for that I'm thankful. 

It's hard to not try to compare and to think back on, though. I just keep taking it all to Jesus! I don't want Todd to see any of that. I want to be uplifting and encouraging to him all week. It's hard to think of your man being down, though, right? He doesn't do well with periods of time when he has to be inactive. It's so sweet that so many of our church family members have inquired about him; I feel confident we'll see a few of them on Friday when he's at the hospital. I love another verse in James, about how the prayers of the righteous are effective. It's so true! 

personally 

Personally, I feel very fortunate, and I don't mean in a monetary way. I have a plethora of people who love our family; don't think for one second that I take that for granted! I don't, I promise. Friend after friend stopped me on Sunday at church to ask me about Todd, since they'd heard our Pastor pray for him in the service that morning. Not all of these people are best friends of course, but we have so many people who love us that it's impossible to not feel blessed. We've known these people for over ten years, and they've seen our family go through some things. It's very humbling when something like this occurs in life, isn't it? It's humbling in that it reminds us of our need for prayers and friendship, and also in the way that so many people care. These are my people! And of course, our families are a tremendous blessing, which goes without saying. I feel fortunate in that as well! My mom and stepdad plan on being at the hospital with me on Friday, which is the kindest thing ever. I'm sure Todd's parents will be there as well at some point. 

On a completely unrelated note, seeing more daylight the last week has been uplifting in every way! I love the promise of what's to come at this time of year, don't you? 

Well, I didn't mean to make this all about Todd's upcoming surgery, but sometimes the writing just goes there without intention. I suppose I needed to say these things to someone! Thanks for being there to "listen" (read). How are these types of things going for you this month? I'd love to some of your answers. Thanks for reading my blog, friends, and for always being such a source of encouragement. Love to all! 

I'm linking up with Joanne for this post today.