First of all, big thanks to everyone who signed up to be an influencer for The Reluctant Duchess. I have far more than I need this time around, so I’ll probably be employing the wonders of Random.org to help me fairly narrow it down, and then will be emailing both those who got into the group and those who didn’t. First I need time to sort through the list though. 😉

And though I’ll continue to post book news to the blog as it comes (including my cover reveal tomorrow and new series announcement on Wednesday!), usual Word of the Week and Remember When posts will be suspended through Resurrection Day as I accept and extend a 40-day challenge.

Beginning this Wednesday, I’m going to be participating in a 40 Days of Jesus challenge, where each day we read a chapter of a Gospel. We’ll start in Mark and then go into Luke (40 chapters total), beginning on Ash Wednesday and going through the entire season of Lent (this has a built-in day off once a week, which I’ll be taking on one of the weekend days). The idea isn’t just to read it by yourself, but to talk about it–because it’s through conversation that we see things from a new perspective and often discover new truths He wants to show us.

The purpose of all this? To focus my heart and mind on Him.

To look, each day, at this Life that changed the world, and maybe see something new.
To pray, each day, Lord, help me to be more like this Jesus I just read about.

 My church has done a shorter version of this before, and honestly, I fell way behind. I found myself getting bored reading the same ol’ Gospel for the gazillionth time. And yet, when I did manage to read it and have a conversation about it, I saw something new.

This time, I don’t want to fall behind and push it away. I want to really prepare my heart and mind for Him. So I’m hosting the challenge here on my blog as a way to hold myself accountable.

If you want to join me, I would love-love-love to get your insights into the chapters! We can converse in the comment section here, and also in the 40 Days of Jesus Facebook group. Please feel free to join that group and chat through the chapter each day.

So take a day (or two) to pray and see if God would like you to do this this year. Or just swing by now and then, when you can. Up to you. But I look forward to getting to know y’all a little better as we delve together into the Word.