Today is the day…it is my privilege to share how God has used the 
practice of journaling in my life with a group of ladies in the body of Christ. To pour the words out onto the page comes more naturally to me. Hearing my own voice speak the words – well, I am nervous.
My journey with journaling began as a teenager (16-17 years old). I was not consistent, what teenager is? But there were pages here and there. They were the beginning of a story, my story. In my early 20’s, after Precious husband and I were married, I would journal Scriptures, prayers, teachings that ministered to me (I still do this). Somewhere, packed in a box in my mother’s basement, is a journal with the story of how Precious husband and I met and our early dating years. There is a journal that contains when God revealed it was time to start having children after a time of study on Hannah. Actually there is a box full of journals that hold the journey of my life, written to God.
Some may ask why bother with a journal? It began as a way for me to stay focused in my prayer and Bible study times. It kept me from becoming distracted. My journal became an outlet of my joys and frustrations. I wonder if David wrote his Psalms - doubtful since they did not have pen and paper handy, but his Psalms read like one penning his heart to God. Now my journals are a tapestry of my walk with the Lord. They show how He has woven the days of my life together thus far. The pages are filled with writing - searching, praising, struggling, art, poetry, learning from the Heavenly Father.
These words are how I begin to bloom. It is the start God has for me. A place to open the heart and share – out loud and very visibly. Strange how writing the words here seems safe but sharing them with people I know, other than a few close to me, feels so exposing. Yet this growing and stretching Father God is taking me through is good.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
3 comments:
Beautiful post. I, too, love to journal. I didn't do it faithfully because of the massive amounts of time it takes to really write--but now I can type--and blog--and it goes so much faster than the pencil to paper.
So, there is nothing I would rather do than write--most of mine now is looking back rather than looking forward since I am a grandmother and will soon have been married 45 years.
But, I encourage you in your journaling. Don't ever give it up.
Love, D.
Nancy, very excited you were able to do this -- as in invited to do so, but also willing. Most of mine don't stand the test of time. I'm impressed that you've kept them and can return to them as testament of God's work.
So now, I suspect this came with at least a teensy bit of trepidation. How did it go?
Dianne - Congratulations on 45 years of marriage. That is a blessing to your family and others who see the example.
Lyla - How about a lot of trepidation. It will well, the class was very gracious. Thanks for asking.
Post a Comment