My Year of Reading So Far
Last year, I made a goal to read or listen to 24 books, an average of two per month. I read 25! For 2025, I made a goal of 36 to keep the trend going, which equates to three per month. I intended for 2025 to be a “Year of Reading”. It’s been said that a good writer must also be a dedicated reader, and I want to build both of those habits.
It’s March. And it’s not going well.
I’ve finished two books so far this year: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (part of my second-ever full read-through of the Harry Potter series), and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Admittedly, I started The Way of Kings last year and got stuck halfway through (I think it’s the longest book I’ve ever read), but I managed to finish it in January.
Now, I’m stuck in the middle of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It’s currently harder to read this book than it was to read The Way of Kings, even though I know the story and how it ends. I’m far more sensitive now to Harry’s pain and grief in this book than I was the first time I read it as a teenager, and to me the character Dolores Umbridge is far too similar to certain real-life world leaders (who shall remain nameless) for my comfort.
There’s one other problem that’s keeping me from reading more or faster: my spirit has been feeling heavy this year, and that makes me tired. I have a lot of plans and dreams I want to accomplish, but, as usual, I’m having difficulty getting started. Each of those things will likely get their own blog post in due time. Unfortunately, like many people I know, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed.
I don’t mean to be a killjoy or a hope-crusher. But there’s so much evil going on in our world right now, and so many distractions that are harder than ever to tear my eyes away from. I feel like I need to acknowledge it, and this is as good a place as any to do it.
I’ve found myself listening to my favorite Christian band, Rend Collective, on repeat in the car, on my walks with my dog, or while in the shower. Their music is so hopeful, joyful, and worshipful, and I need that in my life right now.
Friend, if you’re going through a hard time right now, I see you. There are no platitudes that will suffice to mend a wounded heart or lighten the load of a burdened spirit. But hopefully knowing you’re not alone helps somewhat.
This is why I keep running to Jesus, asking—begging—for a heavenly perspective on all things, reminders of His goodness, the power of self-control, and a desire to love Him and others to my fullest ability.
It does help. He continually reminds me to lay my worries at his feet, because He cares for me. He reminds me to keep my focus on the things and people right in front of me.
I’m not responsible for the world. I’m responsible for my circle of influence. God alone enables me to be honest, kind, respectful, and joyful each day. I can’t do everything for everyone, but I can do something for someone.
One thing in particular has recently been saving my soul from being dragged into discouragement: singing praise or listening to praise music. The act of worshiping in song is something the enemy of our souls hates, and I want to punch him in the face with my audible dedication to my Savior. Rend Collective has a new song called “Fight of My Life”, which has been an anthem for me ever since it came out about a month ago.
So I’ll leave you with this: what you see now and what you struggle with is not all there is. This too shall pass. Accept the grace and love that God so desperately desires to give you and run with it, burdens cast off! If you’re not sure how to do that, ask and seek God continually. Trust Him to answer in His time and through His Word, even if the answer ends up being different than you expect. I’m also happy to share one-on-one how my personal journey with that has progressed.
Here’s to vanquishing the difficult things—from emotionally heavy books to overwhelming world events—and moving forward!