Journaling. 

That one word has so many feelings attached to it, depending on what kind of a person you are, and what experiences you’ve had. 

For me, it evokes a sense of joy and gratitude, but for some it has rather different strings attached to it. 

I know a number of people who have picked up journaling at some point or other, but have either given up because they didn’t know what to write, or forgotten about it in the rapid current of life. Perhaps you fit one of these categories, or perhaps you’ve never tried, or never given it much thought. Perhaps you used to journal your secrets, but one day someone managed to read them. Or maybe you wrote when you were angry or grieving, so that is what the word brings to your mind.  

Whatever the case, I’m glad to have you here.

So grab a cup of tea, my friend—or coffee, if you prefer that—and sit with me for a moment as the leaves change their colors and the world spins on. Take a deep breath of fresh air and glance into the past, rather than the future.

How much do you remember about last week? Or yesterday? Think about it. If you’re like me, the answer is probably that you generally remember what you did, but you wouldn’t be able to give many specifics. 

Would you like to remember? When you’ve graduated highschool or college, when you’ve begun your career or started a family and life zips by in an instant, would you like to be able to step back in time to remember what it felt like to be young?

If I had to guess, I would say the answer is probably yes. 

Just like you probably wish you could remember how life felt before you had school all the time. 

For almost the past two years now, I have journaled at least a page every day, with few exceptions. 

If you decide to catalog your memories and day-to-day life, you don’t have to write that much. Maybe you start with a sentence a day. Or you only write once a week. And isn’t that better than nothing?

There is so much of my life that I hardly remember, and I wish I had journaled. I did, occasionally, and I am very grateful for those times, but what a treasure trove I would have if I had journaled in kindergarten as I do now.

You don’t need to just write memories either. You can write your thoughts. Or your struggles. Or really anything at all. You can draw, if you would like. 

You can write prayers. That’s another thing I wish I had done. Even now, looking back on my journal entries, there are so many prayers that God has answered in my life. 

Imagine being able to see—specifically—how God has worked over the course of your life. How He has woven everything so intricately as to answer so many of your prayers and guide you in ways you couldn’t have fathomed at the time. How He has used every instance of suffering and despair in your life for something beautiful.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful? 

Don’t you think taking a few minutes each day to jot something down that you will be able to look back on for years to come is worth it?

Perhaps you’ll look back one day, maybe even soon, and see the beauty of God’s grace in your own life. Perhaps the One who wrote your story will comfort you with it.

Whether you’re inspired to write in a leather bound journal as I do, a google doc, a regular notebook, or anything else, I hope you will stop not only to smell the roses, but to take note of them.

But even if you don’t feel called to write about them now, please, dear reader, at least take your time to enjoy the little gifts all around. There’s no rush. Life is short, yes, but eternity awaits.

I like to end every journal entry with something I am thankful for, so I would like to do the same here. 

I am thankful for you, dear reader. No matter who you are or what you may think of yourself, you and your life are a miraculous treasure. Always remember that.