It was my 7th grade English teacher who got me started on keeping a journal. It was part of our class work, and I can still see the black and white composition book which we kept. Most of my journal entries then were but a few sentences.
With time, the entries grew longer and I would spend hours buried in my journal. It was the habit of writing in those lined pages that kept my sanity through the murky waters of my teen years. Reading some of the entries of those years today makes me want to cry.
When I gave my life to the Lord as a young adult in college, my journal entries changed to letters to God. And as I wrote in the early quiet morning hours, I began to hear a faint voice in my heart and I recognized that it was the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit leading me and guiding me.
Most of my journal entries included a Scripture verse or two that spoke to me that day. I wrote these out by hand. I’m so thankful I did — because now nearly 25 years later, I know those verses and truths are etched into my mind.
Over the years, I’ve bought all kinds of journals. When funds were low, I’d buy the cheapest spiral-bound notebook and fill its pages. Looking at the stack, I couldn’t tell you what year they were from or what I learned in that period of my life.
But now as I get ready to launch my very own Life Book Journal, I know that I will have a beautiful journal to not only record my life but the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit and the life lessons He is teaching me.
One of the things I’m learning is that it’s not enough just to record your life events and what you feel — but to look ahead to what God has for you.
“ But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13 – 14
And that’s the beauty of the Life Book Journal — because it makes you look ahead — to ask Father what He has in store for you each day, week and month.
Can’t wait to share it with you next week. If you haven’t already, be sure to fill in the form below.
UPDATE {June 30, 2019} The July Life Book Journal is here! Grab your free e-copy below.
Hulda, I found you on the 2019 FMF 31 Days website, I’m #8. I read your first post but didn’t find any others, but I see that you’ve made a big move and life changes take time to settle. Hope all is well.
Thank you for stopping by. It is well with my soul. Praying to get back to the writing.