Saturday, May 31, 2014

5 Things Every Woman of God Needs: Little Black Notebook

Its been way to long readers!


Words. Often too many spoken, yet so much left unsaid. I love talking, but if there is one thing I love almost as much as talking it is writing. There is something about the power of the written word. I sit here, over a month after finishing my first year of college. During this transition back home I have had lots of time to reflect over the past year. I wanted to share with you some of the importances I have found in keeping a journal. With that being said, #4: Every woman of God needs a journal.

Ever since I could pick up a pen and write I have kept tons of journals filled with different topics. Some are filled with songs, others with prayers and even some fantastic ocean research (I was obsessed with the ocean as a child, and still am). As I approached my tween years I began writing about the things that were going on in my life: the good, bad and the ugly. Some of the stories are just downright hilarious and ridiculous, making me question my thought process as a teen. However, all of the things I have written about are near and dear to my heart because they all signify apart of my spiritual walk. My favorite part is going back and reading all of the amazing things Jesus has done in my life so far.

There is no set way of journaling, but rather is more of a feeling of words. For me it is a place where I can go and talk with my savior, through words, about the things going on in my heart. One thing I often write about is the blessings he has given me. Life gets busy, and when things are going well we often neglect acknowledging the One who gives us those blessings. I think there is such a unique beauty and vulnerability when writing words of thanks. It gives us a visual so that we can look back and say "Hey, look what the Lord gave me!" When we take time to acknowledge the good things happening, we are giving the glory and credit to Jesus that he deserves.

Not only do I use my journal for moments of praise and thanks, but also for prayer. The Lord is so faithful, there is no better way to put it. So many times this year I wrote down prayer requests or concerns about things going on, and quickly realized that they were taken care of, God's way. By writing down prayers somewhere other than saying them, we can literally see just how faithful God really is! He hears what we have to say and faithfully listens. Sometimes we get so caught up in the things that are going wrong, rather than focusing on the things that are going right. Somehow, at least in my busy life, the negative overrides the positive that sometimes I am so blinded and unable to see the blessings! Having a journal is such a visual reminder that--Hey! Life isn't easy, there is going to be hard times but look what good is happening HIS WAY.

Third, I write to my future husband. I know for some of you this seems way to cheesy, but for those unmarried and for those with children I highly encourage you to suggest it! I don't write everyday, or even every week for that matter, but when I do I just write about life. I write about the things going on in my life that will give him a window into the me before we met. A lot of my entries are simply prayers for my future home, that it would be centered around Christ and that we would live our lives for him through everything, always. I am so excited to see my husband someday open a journal full of letters written specifically for him.

Lastly, I write about everyday life
Keeping a series of journals is such a cool thing, but if you haven't started yet there is never a better time than the present. Someday I hope to show these journals through all the different stages of life to my kids. By doing this,they can plainly see that God is so real and so good all the time.You may not be an avid writer, or a poet but friends it doesn't matter! Allow yourself to be open to the idea of writing down a few thoughts a day and go from their! Experience a new way of seeing the blessings in disguise that can be revealed by the Lord through writing!

Until next time!

In Christ,

Taler Ray