Four Women, One Word.

Well, I started this year differently than any other year in my life.

I usually start a year with a list of goals and a lot of noise in my head.

This year, I’m choosing my priority, putting God first, and trusting that if I do that one thing, the rest will fall into place, or at least fall into perspective.

I’m doing Hallow’s “Bible in a Year” with three family members, a follow-up to the Advent Challenge we did together.

We live in different cities, so we listen on our own schedules, then we have spirited discussions later (sometimes the next day) via text.

And by “spirited,” I mean we have opinions.

Plenty of them.

And if Genesis already rocked our world, Leviticus may personally snatch our wigs!

But here’s why I’m sharing this.

I have known these three women my entire life, and although we’ve talked about faith here and there, we have never been this committed to His Word, together.

These are women I celebrate with, brunch with, gossip with, and ask for advice, but we’ve never collectively dove into Scripture like this.

And there really are no words to express how I feel about this new and sacred connection we’re building.

None of us is a biblical scholar.

Not even close.

None of us has all the answers.

If anything, I think we’re being led to more questions, and I’m starting to suspect that is part of His Master Plan.

One of us will text, “This is over my head.”

Another will write, “I’m calling my priest.”

Another will text, “Power/domination/ego = bad!”

Someone will ask a question none of us can answer.

Then we keep going anyway.

Not because we’re disciplined saints, but because we’re hungry, and because something in us knows this matters.

And I’m grateful, not only for what I’m learning, but for who I’m learning it with.

So let me ask you something.

Who are you sharing your spiritual goals with?

No plans to do so? Consider inviting someone. One person. A sister, a cousin, an aunt, a friend, a group chat you already have.

You may be surprised by who says, “Yes.”

And if you’re like me, you may find that the Word does not just inform you.

It steadies you.

It softens what has hardened.

It quiets the noise.

Sometimes the most sacred thing we can do is simply begin, together.