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July 6, 2013
by Diane Peasel
It is never my intent to leave a book unfinished - it just sort of happens. I honestly do read a lot! My television rarely gets turned on anymore, because I'm constantly perusing news articles and blogs online.
I'll begin a book, but by the time I pick it back up, I practically have to start over just to remember what the heck the author was talking about. There are several reasons I can give you as to why this must be. For example, I'm busy enough with work, coaching, wedding plans and trying to stay active with other "stuff." I get restless, and then there's the whole motion sick thing when it comes to reading in the car.
Surely other people have these problems too?!
Well, here I am in the midst of the Year of Faith, a special occasion that calls for Catholics (across the entire globe) to take time to learn more about our faith and catechesis.
All jokes aside, if there is one thing I do love learning more about - it's the Catholic faith. This is mostly because I've never ever been disappointed when I sit down to talk with a priest, attend a speaker session, or eventually finish a book on Church teachings, traditions, Scripture or saints. Catholicism is beautiful, and if I never made the effort to take it upon myself to learn more (and the truth) about the Church ... I might not have stayed a part of it.
God's love is incredibly amazing and very present in the Church He gave us!
So, earlier this week I came across a bulletin post about a Summer Bible/Book Study with an excellent book. Unfortunately, I immediately thought "This is nice, but it is not for me, nor do I have time to make an effort to finish a book (I finally just got through one!)."
Hold up.
When I stopped to be honest with myself, I realized that there is still something more I can do to embrace this Year of Faith before it ends. As far as I know the disciples didn't follow Jesus only to a certain point and say, "Okay, I've got the gist of this now. You go on, I'll rest here." This is an opportunity to learn more, dive deeper, and walk the journey with others committing to the same book study.
It kept lingering in my mind until I was finally honest with myself about this whole book study opportunity.
True fact: If I don't slow down and make time to dive more into my faith, I'll always remain, "too busy," for anything.
Motivation: I can overcome this whole "book finishing" dilemma if I push myself a little - and this is a good reason to do so!
Reality: No one is going to hold it against me if I do fall behind a little in reading the chapters.
Honesty: It's okay if I absolutely have to miss a group discussion or two - success can also be found in honest efforts.
Inspiration: Like any faith journey, I truly won't know how this will go until I begin, so I should stop assuming it will not work or that it will end poorly. I can do this!
So I'm venturing out, and for the first time I am going to try one of the many book studies I've seen posted in a church bulletin!
For all book and non-book readers, come join us on this Year of Faith journey for six weeks before summer ends.
Read more about the book and group sessions
