Clare has written before quite a few times about keeping a journal of blessings. Just a small one, set aside for the sole purpose of blessings and other such happy things. Keeping a journal, any kind of journal, seems like such a feminine thing, doesn't it? And this blog is dedicated to all things Holy and feminine, so I thought I would take a few paragraphs to give my own story about journaling and blessings.
When I was 15, I kept a journal consistently for about 5 months. That's the longest I've ever done. I remember I set aside a specific time to try and write at least a page. Reading back through that book is always an enjoyable experience. I love seeing how much I've changed since then...the things I used to find important. But that time was also a time when I truly grew in my faith. I like to think of it as one of the times when I began to get serious. If I had no idea of what to write, I would just do a sort of book reflection of whatever I'd read in the Bible, or another spiritual book. Or, I would muse on spirituality. Reading back, it seems rather deep for a 15 year old girl!
Sometimes, when I'm with my friends in some random place...it is easy to put my Faith aside and participate normally. I'm always thinking about Faith way back in my head -- but I don't bring it into regular discussion. Is that necessarily a bad thing? ... I still want to make a good impression, be accepted, etc.
~~April 29, 2010
It's at this time in my life that I'm starting to consider my vocation and life after college, etc. It's hard, this growing up. It's like all of life is a transitioning period; not just from child to teen and teen to adult. There's always something new coming, and it's frightening -- all these uncertainties. But God is with us.
~~May 5, 2010
I really need to examine my life now, because I'm not living perfectly for God. I need to turn to Him now -- and always strive for Him. For "we all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in Heaven with Him." (Mother Theresa).
~~May 6, 2010
When I started this journal, my only intention was to keep a journal. Lately, I see that most of my entries are about faith. When you hear about a diary, one thing that comes to mind is a historical primary source. ... Sometimes I wonder about this journal; if I will ever write about anything interesting. ... Writing about faith makes me understand and believe in it more, so I cannot say it's a bad thing that most of my entries are about that.
~~May 23, 2010
Since I wrote in that journal, I've acquired two new books: one full sized journal to continue to fill, and one smaller one, just for blessings. I will admit I haven't been quite as diligent as before in filling them up, but I have again started, slowly, since writing this post. In addition to archiving my life, and musing with no intended audience, a journal's best purpose may be providing inspiration when you most need it. I love looking back at my entries. Having a journal of blessings and inspiring spiritual quotes can really come in handy during those days when things seem to be going all wrong.
While I know I won't always just muse about my Faith in my new journal, I do hope to use my journal as a medium for whatever I happen to be thinking of that day, and to archive everything Good, True, and Beautiful. If I could keep a steady journal at one point, and reap such blessings from it, I'm sure I can do it again. And even if you don't feel that you have any "deep musings" to write down, I urge all of you to just start writing. I'm sure at the time, I thought everything I wrote was not of consequence, but now I am so blessed I wrote!
Journals are a wonderful way to prayerfully keep a log of spiritual growth. I am inspired to begin my own! Thank you
ReplyDeleteLiz, what a beautiful idea, and your entries are really lovely! They show real depth of character for a 15-year-old, and also I think that some of the things you wrote about are things that a lot of religious young women may struggle with. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDitto to what Tess said! :)
ReplyDeleteI love keeping journals! (and I love choosing them-- so many lovely and inspiring options!!) :) At the risk of sounding like a geek, I must admit I have around 8-10 journals that I've filled through the years!! Some entries are spiritual thoughts, some are a release of emotions, some are fun memories...so many great reasons to journal. :)
I love keeping journals too! I have about 8-10 also and counting! Thanks for posting this, Liz! I have been "behind" in a fews years of my life that I have not written about and have been trying to figure out how to "catch up." I think I am going to summarize the last few years with a few small musings in the way you write to sum it up! Thanks for the inspiration to keep journalling!
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