Whew, chile! It seems like after the wedding I just fell off with getting into the word. I’m not sure if I let the busyness of everything cloud my mind or what! Next thing I know, I have completely messed up my bible streak and I’m 8 days behind on my bible in a year plan. How many of you have had moments like this? Does this discourage you or do you hop back on the train?

It was both for me. I was so mad at myself like, "First of all you, should’ve been in your word even more. God took care of you through this process. You are healthy, safe, and married to the love of your life." But even as I was beating myself up, I had to stop and give myself grace. Just because I didn't open the Bible app or complete a plan, doesn’t mean I didn’t communicate with God that day. 

Okayyyy, but that didn't stop the bible app from putting me back to ZERO and those 8 days I have to catch up.

I didn’t want to rush through my plan because my goal is to read the bible in a year not skim through it. So I started playing catch up, trying to complete 2 readings a day. Sometimes I was so overwhelmed I barely got through one. I just read the verse of the day, prayed, and hoped for more discipline the next day. I legit just caught up on my plans on July 16th.

Why am I sharing this with y’all? Because while the bible app is amazing, the tracking can sometimes discourage us. Because it sure discouraged, frustrated, and annoyed me! I want to encourage you to give yourself grace. Pick up where you left off and get back into the presence of God. How many days you opened the app doesn’t define your relationship with God. Yes, the plans can help get your closer to God and help you understand the word! Yes, tracking can motivate you to read the bible daily! However, make sure your intentions are pure. Don’t do it for the number, do it for His presence.

If the bible app streaks frustrate you, you are not alone. I want you to know that is not the only way to connect with God. Get old-fashioned and pull your bible out. Read other devotionals you have around the house. Get in a quiet space and pray.

For those of you who need help being more disciplined in getting into God's presence daily, you are not alone.

Here are a few tips that help me get into God’s presence daily.

1. Have a journal dedicated for your bible plans/studies.

   • Take notes like you would during a church sermon.

   • Have a place where you can go to study the word. You can get back to bed afterward.

2. Set an alarm or two or three.

   • You can have a morning, noon, and night alarm to make sure you complete your plan, study, pray, etc.

3. Complete plans with others. Friends holding friends accountable is awesome. 

   • Don’t be the pushy friend like, “girl, you not gonna complete the plan.” REMEMBER, grace grace grace. You don’t know what their time with God looks like outside of that plan.

4. Force yourself to ignore the numbers. (I know this is hard)

   • Simply KNOW that bible app streaks don’t define your relationship with God. Point Blank Period! The goal is to seek His presence daily, by any means necessary!

   • You can open the app every day, have a 365-day streak, and still be lost if your intentions get lost in the numbers.

5. Pick right on up where you left off, don't rush through His word. You might miss out on what he's trying to tell you.

Listen! Number 3 and 4 are SOOOOO important! I had to tell myself “Forget the numbers, I can't change it. Stop rushing through the plans, you don't understand or learn that way.” By doing this, when I am sitting in my study taking notes, I have so much more clarity. 

I hope me dumping my frustrations and shortcomings with you all lets you know that you are not alone. We are in this together. God is looking for progression, not perfection. We were not placed on this earth to be perfect people.

If you are looking for a group to complete bible plans with start following: The Glow Group. www.instagram.com/theglowgroup_

If you are not into doing bible plans through an app, that’s cool too! I have a few journals and devotionals that I love. I have the Kindle version and hard copy to keep myself in check. Check them out below.

Devotional and Journal Recommendations

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