Autumn Changes & Challenges

Happy (mid) October, friends!

I know the official beginning of fall was in September, but it doesn’t usually feel like fall until October, so now I am ready to embrace it all! When I think of fall I think of the leaves changing colors, warm drinks, cozy blankets, cuddling up on the couch with a good book or watching a Hallmark movie, and Gilmore Girls (even though I do watch it year-round). But I mostly think about change. I like to use this transition of seasons to focus on acknowledging and appreciating how I have changed and what my life looks like now from a year ago. Reflecting on the past helps me look toward the future.

This past year held some of the most changes I have ever gone through, and now I am definitely not the same person I was then. I got engaged, started – and finished – my first full-time job as an intern, got married, and moved away from the area I grew up in. Now I’m learning what it means to be a woman of God while using the gifts He has given me to be a better friend, wife, and follower of Christ. Even with all the change that has happened in such a short time, I feel as close to who God has called me to be as I ever have. 

Speaking of change…

There are some changes I want to make and habits I want to create this fall. My focus has been on my overall mental, physical, and spiritual health for a few months now, and I want to continue that journey this season. Since diving into my relationship with God in high school, I have never been great at consistently reading my Bible. It’s been off and on for years and this fall I want to make an effort to push myself so that my time with God isn’t just a routine that I “should” do as a Christian, but a habit that’s as natural and necessary as breathing.

The goal:

• Read through a book of the Bible. I chose John to start with because it is one of the Gospels that tells about Jesus’ identity and His life. Since there are 21 chapters in John, I will be going through one chapter a day for 21 days.
• Study each passage using the SOAP journaling method.
  • S: Scripture – Write out verses or words that stand out to you.
  • O: Observation – Write out what you see in those verses, a common theme, or anything that stands out.
  • A: Application – How can you apply what you’ve read to your personal life?
  • P: Prayer – Pray about whatever you noticed or anything God has revealed to you through His Word.
• Keep track of the days on a calendar. I am a visual person, so seeing it on a calendar where I can physically mark off the days I do it I believe will help me best. However, if you do well with a different habit-tracking system, go for it! Do whatever will be suitable and sustainable for you. (I will use the Day Designer Wall Calendar similar to this one from Target.)

This challenge is for me, but I would love to bring along whoever wants to. I will be posting my thoughts each week and have a space for others to (kindly) respond and give their observations. By doing this challenge, I pray we will find a deeper relationship with God and accountability in each other.

Grab your hot drink, cozy blanket, journal, and Bible, and let’s dig into God’s Word together, friends! I am so looking forward to getting to know God and y’all better.

Love & Sunshine, Sarah