Journaling Your Journey

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”  Psalm 25: 4-5 (NIV)

            Women keep journals for different reasons--as diaries to put their thoughts on paper to record their memories, goals and dreams, to record what we are grateful for, what’s important to us, or where we’d like to be in a year and our plan for getting there. Others record their daily devotions and sermon notes, and some use a journal exclusively for prayer requests and answers. Some write scriptures that are special to them and how they have been fulfilled in their lives. Journals help us to clarify our thoughts and feelings.  There is something about seeing words on paper that help us to do that.  Just as there are many reasons for journaling, there are also many styles of writing.  You may write in paragraphs, brief bullet phrases, or in the form of a letter to God.  You may be simplistic and to the point or creative and elaborate.  You may write daily, weekly, or only journal significant events and experiences.  Journals can even reveal our mood through our handwriting---showing how hurried or thoughtful we are.  Some women even change the ink colors!  Because journals are personal, there is no right or wrong approach to keeping a journal.  You don’t have to be a professional writer or even a good writer to journal. It is a tool for you.

If you’ve never journaled, now is a good time to start. A journal can be an inexpensive spiral notebook, a leather covered book, or one from the Dollar store.  Get a journal and keep it handy with a pen, your Bible, and a study or devotional book if you are using them.  You may want to have your materials in a basket in the same place to retrieve when you need them and not waste time looking all over the house! J  Begin by dating your entry.   Use any style you wish to record your reflections and responses to the passages and to study questions or devotions that you are reading. Include your personal application to what has spoken to you.  If you listen to a sermon or other Bible teaching, see if there are any parallels and record those.  Perhaps the lyrics of a song resonated with you. Ask yourself:

What is God teaching me?  

Is He repeating Himself to me in different ways?

What is He calling me to change?

What is He calling me to do?

How does He want me to be an influence?  

You may see a pattern as you write about what God is teaching you as He calls you to deepen your walk with Him and be an influence in your relationships. You may discover that you are praying in a new way for yourself and others.  Journaling is just one way to develop greater intimacy with God as we pour out our hearts to Him, listen to His voice and review the way He is working in and through us. © Marilyn Nutter 2007 All rights reserved.

 Pasta Salad

If you’re going to a “Back to School” picnic, this is a different pasta salad to take and share. Don’t forget to journal your thoughts about the beginning of the school year—especially the prayers that you have for your children.

1 lb. spiral pasta or penne pasta

1 large can black olives, drained and cut olives in half

2 tomatoes sliced in chunks

½ lb frozen broccoli

1 12 oz jar roasted peppers, drained and chopped in large pieces

Bottled Italian dressing

4-6 oz crumbled feta cheese

Boil pasta.  One minute before pasta is done, add broccoli to water. Drain and cool.

Add olives, tomatoes and peppers and toss together. Pour bottled Italian dressing over salad to taste.  Add feta cheese and sprinkle with dried oregano and basil. Refrigerate and toss again before serving. (c) Marilyn Nutter 2007