We love some good family time watching a new show together. With only three of us in our home, it isn’t always as easy as you think to find something we all enjoy, but we agree on a few shows, including Cobra Kai. I struggle just to chill watching TV (anyone else? 🙋🏻‍♀️), so often I pick up my iPad and doodle in Procreate. It’s one of my favorite ways to decompress, allowing all the day to melt away with scribbles and nonsense. Maybe for you, it’s playing some Candy Crush or Solitaire. We all have our things.

Last week I joined Toastmasters. Honestly, I had no idea what exactly it was, except that you give speeches to a group of other people and listen to them. I’ve heard it recommended to me, so I thought I would check it out. Sitting in on a few sessions as a guest, here is what I can tell you:

There are clearly defined structures and themes to each meeting. There are preparation and strategy to achieve different levels within Toastmasters.

Far more than simply giving speeches, I can see how their claims of building personal growth, learning leadership skills, and building confidence will come to pass if I give myself fully to this process.

There are other roles than just giving speeches! From roles of the timer to the grammarian to evaluators, this is a well-rounded experience.

The community is welcoming and supportive. Even though my local group is meeting via Zoom, they have been so encouraging!

What I have to offer you today is not some master plan to read the whole Bible in a year or a directive on becoming a master theologian. Today I offer you three ways you can easily start today.

Mental illness runs rampant in our world, resulting from an enemy who attacks us at our innermost being. Depression has marked my life for more than two decades. I was a self-harmer in high school, cutting my arms and hiding them as best I could.

Three weeks into January, and I’ve already faltered on my New Year Resolutions. Anyone else? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Sometimes we feel like we get a fresh start, like a new year or a career change, and not too far in, we lose our footing.

We have a strong resolve to change our lives through all sorts of self-improvement habits, from budgeting better to cooking healthier to getting organized. In thinking about this yearly practice of resolutions, I couldn’t help but to think about some of our Bible heroes, living their ordinary lives, and what I learn from them about working towards my own goals.