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My reading list from 2020

2020: This was the longest decade of my life. The year seemed to drag on and on and on. It was used as an uncovering and discovering tool in my life for good and bad. I can remember my emotions being yanked all over the place. I can remember how many new innovations and rhythms were introduced and sometimes forced into my life. Zoom became a way of life, as well as cancelled plans, masks and heated conversations. My conscience was uneasy for most of the year, and I was grateful to “close the door” on this chapter of my life. However, in spiritual learning, I know that nothing is wasted, and nothing is ever really put behind you forever. The prayer in the front of my Bible for that year was “Oh Lord–may this be the year of healing–especially in my eyes of faith!” In one of the first sermons of the year, I prayed that God would give me His eyes and let me see things as He saw them. I was so unprepared. I look back and marvel over His faithfulness.

In 2020, I led a discipleship group of women, and we used the F260 plan for reading through most of the Bible together. We also focused on memorizing scripture…lots of it! I also used the Robert Murray M’Cheyne reading plan personally, and read through the Psalms every month. Starting in August of that year, I also read through the Proverbs each month. A particular Hebrew word stood out to me in 2020, it was “chesed” or “hesed”. This word is practically impossible to translate to English. I am still fascinated by it. I used a Holman Christian Standard Bible as my journaling Bible that year. This one has The Adapter’s name on it (my youngest) and a note for her. This will be a keepsake for her in the future, I hope. 2020 was the year my Father welcomed her into the family, too. She said yes to Christ by faith and began her own precious spiritual journey.

List of books

These books are in order as I read them in the year:

  • Sing! by Keith and Kristyn Getty
  • Relationships by Timothy S. Lane and Paul D. Tripp
  • J-Curve by Paul E. Miller (I read this one twice)
  • Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
  • Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin (with DGroup)
  • How People Change by Timothy S. Lane and Paul D. Tripp (again!)
  • A Praying Life by Paul Miller
  • Pray Big by Alistair Begg (again! with DGroup)
  • None Greater by Matthew Barrett
  • Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (again! with DGroup)
  • Mad! by Rick Thomas
  • Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortland (I read this one twice)
  • Disciple Her by Kandi Gallaty (again! with DGroup)
  • Towards Spiritual Maturity by William Still
  • Tozer on the Holy Spirit by A.W. Tozer (a devotional book)
  • Mornings with Tozer by A.W. Tozer (another devotional book)
  • Delighting in God by A.W. Tozer

Books I read for Lent:

  • Bread and Wine by various authors

Books I read for Eastertide:

  • Pauses for Pentecost by Trevor Hudson

Books I read for Advent:

  • From Heaven by A.W. Tozer

I look at the number of books I read in 2020 and can see how I was drawn to read more in God’s word than to be spending time on anyone else’s words. Looking in the rearview mirror, I know Father was preparing me for the disaster that would come to my soul in 2021. In 2020, as I was begging God for my own spiritual and emotional healing in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, 2021 would be a type of crushing in my soul. So, to look at all of the Scripture I memorized, to see my daughter saved, to know the Psalms so intimately, the faithful Lord was doing a preemptive healing in me. He was granting His grace and His mercy to get through 2020 but also to face the unsettling of 2021. Great is Your faithfulness, Lord.

Have you been able to look back and see the hand of God in your life? Share with us below!

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