A Time Of Little Things

As 2024 comes to a close and 2025 draws near, I have been considering so many things.

Some of them are super practical.

• My work schedule.
• The tax implications of my pending divorce.
• My child’s annual medication authorization combined with my pending need to self-insure.

Others, not necessarily practical, but perhaps just as necessary.

• Planning for fun with my children.
• Spending more time with friends.
• Choosing a word for the year (I know, I’m basic. But I love it.)

As I started to take slow steps towards next year, I considered doing a read the bible in a year study. As soon as the thought entered my brain, I immediately, viscerally rebelled against it. 

I have done this type of study twice before in years past. I found both to be helpful, encouraging, and even life giving. As I thought about doing it again however, my entire body screamed no. 

This is not the year for that. This is a year for little things. 

Bible Study For Real Life

Eventually, I found myself considering something that I have wanted to do for years.

What if I went deeper on the stories in the bible that have meant the most to me?

What if I took the passages of the bible that have helped me survive the last couple of years and got to know them better?

What if, in doing this, I get to know God better? What if I end up knowing myself better?

As I mulled the idea over in my mind, I stumbled across this quote from theologian Joshua Mobley.

This.

This is what I want to do. In part, it’s what I have already been doing. Taking the stories of women in the bible and linking them to my own.

I would love to do it with others. I’m inviting you to come along with me. 

A Time Of Little Things

Last week, I stumbled across a passage in Zechariah 4 and discovered a passage emphasizing that seemingly small beginnings can be significant with God’s continuous, loving support and guidance. Zechariah 4: 10 encourages the people not to despise the small work they are doing because God will bring it to completion through His power. Not our own.

My bible translation referred to this small work as A Time Of Little Things. 

It’s exactly right. 

The name of this study was born. 

The stories I want to study in the bible are all about women, in everyday circumstances, being seen as “little”  and less than. They all do seemingly little things that become significant. 

Also, little things is the best description I can imagine for my day to day life right now. 

Putting My Life Back Together

For some time now, it has felt like I have been trying to put together a giant puzzle, but I don’t have the box cover and have no idea what it’s supposed to look like when it’s done.

At first, I panicked and frantically searched for the cover. Then, I cried in total defeat, looking at all the pieces of the puzzle and having no idea where to start.

Eventually, I found a piece here and a piece there that seemed to fit together. Not only that, these pieces were beautiful in their own right, with soothing colors and shapes. 

I have a handful of pieces right now and I feel very precious about them. I am not even sure I want to look for anymore right now. I just want to keep these pieces close, grateful to have found them in the mess. 

This is a time of little things. 

A Time Of Little Things: 12 Stories Of Women In The Bible and One Woman Today

Here’s my general plan, subject to change as the year progresses.

Each month will be devoted to one woman, one story in the bible. I will share what I have learned in my deeper dives about the story itself. I will also share how I am connecting my own, small story to the larger story of the bible. 

I will invite you to do the same through a printable monthly resource and possibly, even monthly online get togethers (if you are interested).

A caveat…

I have been in way too many women’s bible studies that have sucked the life out of me. 

My goal is to make this as accessible and interesting as possible for anyone, no matter what they believe. This study is about being a woman and somehow connecting with the divine in the sometimes devastating, sometimes brilliant realities of our lives. 

I am not a bible scholar. In this season, I do not even regularly attend church. If you are looking for someone with more expertise and understanding, Beth Moore has so many wonderful bible studies you can do from the comfort of your own home.

This study will most certainly be messier. Of course it will be. My life is a mess.

It’s why I need this. It’s why I am doing it in the first place.

A Time Of Little Things is free. It’s totally up to you if you want to be a part of it. I’d love to have you.