With the start of a new year, people are always looking to make changes. Start anew. Whether it’s joining a gym or finally sticking to that diet, most people start the new year in hopes to become the better self they said they would one day become. And while our physical health is important, why not focus on our spiritual health this year?
Often times we mothers get so overwhelmed by the daily mundane, that we forget that marriage and motherhood, like the religious life, isn’t our job, it’s our vocation. And like all vocations it needs to be cultivated. We need to take the time to stop and nurture our spirit. What better than taking some quiet time opening your bible, and reflecting on the Word?
For some time now I have envied the Protestant journaling Bibles, filled with margin space big enough to write and – if you’re like me – illustrate the passage artistically. Whether you enjoy highlighting and taking notes, or if you enjoy hand lettering and watercoloring, the space provided allows you to really dive in and dig deeper.
Often times when I read I am easily distracted by all the things going on around me, or simply floating in my mind. What uniform do I need to lay out, did I make Sebastian’s lunch, do I really need to shower? Mundane thoughts that easily keep me from focusing on what I should be focusing on. Taking the time to slow down, can be aided by the act of journaling. Allowing you to really feel the words you are reading.
Except we Catholics didn’t have this option available. Could we have used a separate notebook while reading? Perhaps. Though something about that never sat right with me. It seemed so detached.
Enter Blessed Is She. For those that have never heard of BIS: “Blessed is She is a Catholic women’s community committed to deepening a life of prayer starting with daily Scripture devotionals and supportive sisterhood. We begin with the Word of God and grow as sisters as we share our hearts. We believe in beauty pointing toward the Divine, and we strive to live a Eucharistic life.” Could there be a better mission statement?
With regional facebook groups (open to all believers, Catholic, Protestant, or even discerning), daily devotional emails, and even an amazing conference (that this mama is DYING to get to), BIS has become a beacon of confraternity, evangelization, and sisterhood.
Late 2017 Jenna Guizar, and the rest of the BIS team, announced the release of the first ever FULL 
I have been blown away by the beauty. This is a Bible that I see myself filling with reflections of hope and love, mercy and redemption.
This year I challenge myself and I challenge you to stop. To take those 5, 10, 15 (or more) minutes for yourself. To grow in the spirit. In hopes to keep myself accountable I want to start a bible study with you all. I will post a weekly reflection and will open it up to discussion. I will share my journaling and hope you too will share yours.
If this is something you are interested in make sure to sign up below! I will send out the first set of verses this Sunday and will post the reflection each Friday. A Faithful Friday series!
Join me! Lets grow in the spirit and renew our faith in the new year together!
ETA: There has been an overwhelming amount of you that have joined! God is good! I have created a facebook group for mini studies on the daily readings and to connect with other sisters that will be on this journey alongside you! Faithful Friday Fellowship
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