Show Up

It's a "no brainer" and yet it is one we often forget. To create, grow, or nurture a relationship, we have to show up for it. We have to put in the time.  Make the connection.  Put forth some effort.  Reciprocate.

The same is true of our relationship with Christ.

Oh don't get me wrong - God is the initiator. Always, ever the initiator. He calls. He woos. He first loves us. But we respond. And the more we respond, the deeper the relationship goes. (Matthew 13:11-13).

That's why I'm so excited that so many of you - over 800 that I know of - have chosen to show up, spending the next 6 weeks studying God's Word through the online Bible study of my book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. I'm even more thrilled that we can do this together.

If you haven't heard about the study, consider this your personal invitation to show up for it!

Side Note: Apparently so many orders for It's No Secret came through Amazon last week that they are currently saying it will be 1 to 3 weeks before they're able to ship new orders out.  If you haven't bought your copy yet, click the books tab at the top of my blog for a list of stores that carry it. Or check your local bookstores. Or order an electronic copy from Amazon and you can download it instantly to your computer, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android ... you can also get it for your Nook. 

Better yet, order a copy from Proverbs 31 Ministries (the proceeds go to the non-profit) and I'll sign it for you before we mail it to your door.  And in the meantime, on my "books" page you'll find a link to read the intro and first chapter free so you can get started with us.

The beauty of an online study is its flexibility. While our hostess Melissa is setting forth a weekly reading plan, you can move at your own pace. You're not going to be late to any meetings. Plus you don't have to go out in the cold or the dark to gather. (I hear many experienced a late spring snowfall this week!)  You'll get to meet women from around the world, and you can do it in your pajamas and slippers if you want. Do you smell like the baby's spit up?  We don't mind - we can't smell it!

While all this flexibility is a great thing, I do want to urge you to show up consistently and stay with this. Commit to making the effort for the next six weeks. Arrange your life to see this study through.  Think about where and when you'll do your reading. Set yourself up with a bookmark, a notebook and your favorite writing instrument. (I'm partial to #2 pencils.) Consider blogging about what you're learning - I'll be hosting a link-up carnival here each Friday so we can meet each other and share insights - I look forward to reading yours!

Later this week I'll post a picture of a certain ring you might want to see. For now, I'd love for you to post a comment and tell me your first name and where you are joining us from - I want to pray for you by name in these next six weeks.

I'm off to celebrate my hubby's birthday tonight.  I've made him homemade mudslide for dessert.  We'll stick just one candle in the gooey chocolate mess and I'll sing happy birthday to him. You'll find out in this week's reading why he might be wishing I wouldn't!