I love writing in a journal.

I love the feel of nice paper, bound into a beautiful book, and good pen. I love  my bible, an hour of quiet and the freedom to write what ever comes to mind–in a place were few eyes will ever see it! I love turning my thoughts into a written conversation with God; organizing my arguments without saying a sound; recapturing a special moment  I don’t ever want to forget; and most of all recording the life-lessons I learn from reading God’s word.

Writing in my journal is more that writing down the events of the day– much, much more.  And after a spell with my journal, I can walk into my world with a newness of mind and a confidence that God has heard me, and that the answers to my biggest prayers are on the way! That is fun! And it is good therapy for me!  And my trusty journals have  saved my dear husband many an hour of my miserable droning, whining, and ‘thinking out loud’ about a current issue I’m working on! (Smile) And it also saved him the trouble of having to solve many of those small  problems that seemed so big  to me at the moment.

Sometimes I pick up a finished journal from my shelf and sit down in my favorite chair with a cup of Java and a cozy blanket (it’s still cold here in Colorado!).  As  I read my words written years ago, I  see how things have changed (or not) in my life; pick out themes that seem to be recurrent in my life or job or in the circumstances and  events recorded. What fun to re-read my own words, remember those circumstances again, and  feel the emotions I felt then. But most of all I love to see how God was active in my life during those days,  and how He comforted me through his word, and the words of others. Depending on my mood at the moment, this often encourages me, and emboldens me to keep on–because HE is keeping on right along side me–as faithful as ever.

I also  love it when I find the first draft of an old poem I’ve since polished, or the beginning lines to a song I wrote for my grandchildren, or the storyboard draft/outline of a story I was thinking about at the time. The seeds of many pieces I’ve written have started in my journals!

Here’s  a journal entry from May, 2011:

‘After reading the book of Ezra  I marvel at God’s grace,  demonstrated to HIS people, in those days so long ago. He cared enough about their future, to raise up godly Bible teachers like Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai to proclaim God’s Word to the people. He did this even when their hearts were far from God, even  in rebellion towards Him and His ways. I marveled that He still does that today FOR US today!

The result back then was that the people ‘trembled at hearing the WORD read aloud!” (Ezra 9:4) Conviction fell on them and they repented! How I wish our generation would have such a revival. Then I thought of my own hard and selfish heart!!!  What ‘respectable sins’ am I still content to tolerate in my own life?  James 1: 22-25 came to mind as I reflected on God’s Word and its powerful impact on my life.

” Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.”

So—here’s another Shadorma Poem I wrote as a result of my meditations on those passages. (Remember a Shadorma  is a 6 line syllabic poem with a meter of 3/5/3/3/7/5) This poem is the essence of my testimony—probably the shortest it will ever get! Picture as you read, the writer (me)  holding up a spiritual looking glass and reflecting on the truth of her salvation.

What Do You See?
Look closely–
Sin stares back at me.
Transgression!
Forgiven!
Do HIS will–separate from Sin.
Look now–see Jesus.

My journal prayer: “Thank you, LORD, for giving to us—through the ages—godly men and women who can help us to see our sin and to lead us to the ONE who forgives all sin. Thank you for being the ONE who restores me, heals me, gives me freedom to return to my world full of hope. Place in my heart a desire to do for others as YOU have done for me!”

I hope you have a journal, a bible and a special place where you can sit, ponder and write! Don’t wait–God is already there, waiting for you.

Blessings on your Wednesday!

Linda