I started a challenge with two of my good friends, Emma and Shelby. I am sure you are wondering what kind of challenge that I am talking about. This time of year, you are expecting a workout or fitness challenge, however, that is not the case. We started a 30-day Bible reading challenge called “Word Before World” through a company I found on Instagram labeled Well-Watered Women Co. The root of this challenge is to encourage women in their faith by providing a truth-filled outline of scriptures and to motivate them to read the word daily and more especially before their day begins.

I was drawn to this resource to switch up my daily habits and help to grow in my faith for the final month of my semester. I invited my two friends to join me on this specific challenge because I thought that this would be a great way to encourage each other. I also felt that it would be a way to keep in close contact since we all lived in different states across the country. These girls are so special to me and have left such an impact on my faith and this journey we have taken together.

This challenge has proven difficult so far, however, it has been a joy to endure. I truly loved this concept and the mission of this resource. I was incredibly drawn to this challenge when I saw the posting on the company's website and their social media pages. It was filled with truth and community-driven women across the globe. I knew I wanted to be a part of this.

My friends accepted this challenge and agreed to try it with me! They knew this was something that would benefit them as well. I proceeded to send them the pdf file with the laid-out devotions. We embarked on this challenge together. Looking forward now, we are closing in on the end of this challenge. I am about to begin the devotion for day 27 out of the 30 days. As you can see, this challenge is about to be completed. I wanted to use this platform to share my experience with this. "Word Before World" has impacted my life in a beautiful way. This month-long journey has not been perfect and has had some bumps in the road, but today, I want to shed light on the beauty of this experience.

The phrase "World Before World" is a wonderful reminder for me. This resource has changed the way I look at my quiet time with the Lord. It has shown me that this sacred time is not a daily chore to complete, but rather food for my soul. It has shown me that even the smallest amount of time can glorify God in large ways. It has reaffirmed me that the Gospel is worth setting aside time. It has shown me that this daily reminder and the truth of God always proves faithful.

I have completed these devotions on airplanes, in hotel rooms, in my dorm room, in coffee shops, and in libraries. I came across moments when I was nervous to do my devotion in front of other people. There was one instance when I was in the hotel room with one of my teammates on a travel trip for softball and the second instance on my flight home on the airplane. I hesitated in these situations and was concerned with what they might think or say. Low and behold, that fear was conquered and I completed my devotions with the presence of the Lord upon me. My teammate, as well as the person next to me on the airplane, created a conversation with me! I did not even have to bring it up because they both expressed interest and began asking me what I was reading. I was blown away by this. These were such simple and small ways to share the name of Jesus. I praise His name for giving me the courage to do so and being unashamed to be a daughter of His. The one consistent aspect of this journey is the grace and love that He showed.

Within this time, Emma, Shelby and I have started an on-going group chat about the challenge. It has been amazing to read some of the messages that they have sent. Some days were filled with understanding and praise and other days were in desperate need of prayer and crying out for the Lord. This is what community is about. This group chat has been lively on some days and dead on others, however, it was always present and available. It has been such a pleasure to engage with these two friends of mine along this journey. I hope and pray that they encountered God at this time and can take away something from this opportunity.

I want to thank Gretchen Saffles who is the founder of Well-Watered Women for sharing your gift of writing and your love for women's ministry.