40 Days 4 Thom

This day 2 of 40 on my special journey inspired by reading the account of Noah found in the Old Testament of the Bible in the book of Genesis. In Sunday School this year we are studying the Old Testament. I didn't fully prepare for this Sunday's class so this morning I took 40 minutes to complete my study for last week's lesson. OH WHAT I MISSED.

Yesterday I wrote about how Noah went through trials and how it rained 40 days and 40 nights. But I totally missed the reason he got on the ark in the first place. That was until today.

In reading Hebrews 11:7, not only do I find Noah's reason, I find my purpose and motivation to continue my 40 day journey. My life is not in the order of what I would like it to be. So I too must "move with fear". I must prepare my own ark to saving of me and house so that I and my family become "heirs of the righteousness which is by faith."

God has rich blessings in store for me if I just obey. I have been blessed beyond description by God each and every day of my life. But I can hardly comprehend what it will be like to be an "heir of the righteousness". It's definitely more than what I'm experiencing here on earth. And this gives me hope!

So as I read this morning, I ponder what is the "ark" I need to prepare. The thought came to me that Noah's ark provided safety and shelter from ensuing rain and accompanying flood. How does that apply to me? I need to provide safety and shelter for myself and my family. And right now, I'm a little unprotected :-)

As I write this, I see safety and shelter needed in 3 forms

• Gainful employment and financial stability
• Spiritual and emotional wellness
• Improved physical health

So these are the areas in which I will "move with fear" the next 39 days.

By the way, I'm reconsidering a few of my goals.

1. I decided to spend 40 minutes each day studying the Old Testament as opposed to trying to finish the Book of Mormon in 40 days. I've only read the Old Testament in it's entirety once in my life and I feel there are just as valuable lessons for me to learn from it as there are from reading the Book of Mormon for maybe the 12th or 13th time. Plus, I'll be better prepared for Sunday School :-)
2. If I'm going to do exercise and work 40 hours a week at job hunting, I need to change my sleep schedule. So I'm endeavoring to wake up at 5:40 a.m. Monday - Friday, and 6:40 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. My target bedtime is 10:40 p.m. everyday including the weekends. This is a drastic change for me and will probably be the hardest. But I've read so many stories of successful men and women who establish the habit of rising early - why not me.

I'll probably recap/relist/review my goals every few days just to keep me on track.

I'm signing off this morning in hopes of having a transformative and productive Day 2 of 40!