Over the past several years I've worked hard on making spending time in scripture a part of my daily life. For me, I really enjoy starting my day in a very particular spot on my couch with a cup of coffee, my Val Marie prayer journal, and God's Word.
Last year, when it seemed like nearly everything else was taken away, this routine is something that remained. Those early covid days back in March and April were so shocking and so dark. I cannot possibly stress the extent to which there is nothing that could ever fully prepare a therapist to counsel others through a world wide pandemic, social unrest, and all the 2020 things.
But. As long as I could make it to my spot on the couch each morning to meet with God, to read His word, and to pray, I was able to make it through each day. I was able to remember who God is, his promises, and how his word says he makes beauty from ashes. And I remembered that his word says his power is made perfect in our weakness. And somehow, I held those things in my heart and carried on. And though I struggled all the way through, I was able to come out of 2020 with my faith strengthened.
After 2020, knowing what scripture says is more important to me than ever before. I want it to be what I immediately turn to when things go wrong and it's what I want to pray in my darkest moment. And I definitely want to know it well enough to recognize when something is of God and when something is is not.
Today I'm sharing this collection of simple daily devotionals. I don't call these simple because they are simple in value, but rather because I think these will seem doable to anyone just getting started with making scripture reading a habit. Each of these offers a daily reading based on scripture, then some thoughts on those verses. I've either read through each of these myself (some a very long time ago) or they came recommended to me by a very trusted friend.
I've been reading straight from the Bible or working through precept studies for the last few years, but I've also enjoyed continuing to incorporate some of these into my readings. This year I'm looking forward to reading New Morning Mercies for the first time, as it's come so highly recommended by so many.
I hope you find something you like here. More than anything else, I want to point people to the good news of the gospel and beautiful hope found in scripture. Because these are days when we can really use some good news.
Just click on an image and you'll be brought to a link. I'd love to know what you choose, even if it's not on this list!
