They stack on a chair, inked words, bits of my brain, pieces of my heart, long lines of my soul. For years, I wore a pen around my neck. This paper and pen, it's a way of thinking, a way of communing.
Journals to collect words, unfamiliar ones; to gather sermons, Sunday ones; to record glimpses of God, burning-bush and common ones, I have them. And a few more.
A visual journal with scraps torn and laid down, thoughts and ideas swept up and held...
the day's menu... a verse He's whispering to me... a to-consider list
... a place for words that line themselves up like a poem, lyrical worship ... a list of "feathers to pluck for my nest"... errands to yes, consider... a place for more counting of all His gifts -- always gratitude...
... and another spread waiting to catch snippets of a day (for an Abundance of Visual Journal Inspiration and links to how-tos at various sites...)
Home for Visual Journal: kitchen counter
A little life-companion, this Moleskin (with its own hack of tabs) slips into a pocket to be one's mind and soul.
As I weave a One-Piece Life, the praying and the practical all are woven together... the Pocket Companion has a section with tab:
- for Psalms and Prayers, (pages for prayer requests, Psalms that I am praying -- soul attention first)
- for Learning (a place for ideas and titles and tasks for our education),
- for Cleaning (pages for domestic duties that could be overlooked -- as I work in the house, to jot down areas that need a return visit)
- for Writing (pages for thoughts I'd like to explore further with a pen)
- for Needs (a place to gather shoe sizes of children, lists of things to look for at the thrift store etc., etc.,)
Home for Pocket Journal: pocket, apron front, purse
Moleskin Multi-tab Hack
and more
And if you are looking for the perfect little pocket companion journal, the perfect capture for your prayers and ideas and "must-remember this" -- then explore a favorite little website: Black Cover Reviews
Next week... more details and photographs of the many journals. Because the important thing is just to write. The important thing is to listen to your life and hear the ways in which your moments desire to naturally discover themselves with a pen.
The important thing is to simply make a place, many places if you'd like, to meet God.
~~
Ways in which you are meeting God in journals... from notes (*thank you*) tucked into the inbox...
From Denise....
I journal many times each day, a lifeline really for me as my journal is full of my talks to (and answers from) our dear Father.
We recently traveled and I thought I'd leave the journal at home ("to relax" I thought...). The first evening, I literally ran to a nearby bookstore to find another little book (and found a leatherbound purse-sized for $1.10!). I can't seem to feel that I've prayed unless I write and listen, write and re-read, and read what has been written in past days as I see God's hand at work through answered prayers or prayers that now seem folly! :) "
Denise
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From Deidra in Nebraska
I find myself sometimes "pursued" by The Word and emotions and thoughts and feelings and wonderings get all tangled up in my innermost self.
I find myself switching laundry from washer to dryer, or dishes from sink to dishwasher, but stumbling around in my head over the wonderings in my heart.
And I am then compelled to find a pen and paper...usually my journal, resting and waiting by the side of my bed, or next to my computer, but sometimes a receipt or an envelope left on the kitchen counter.
The jumble spills out onto paper and my Father meets me there. I am somehow detached and yet so fully connected as chaos comes to order on the page.
The Spirit of God speaks to me from the page and I know that the words are not mine, and they are completely mine. For who can know the mind of God, but the Spirit of God?
And I have the treasure in this broken vessel, topped off and spilling over onto the page."
Deidra
~~ More of your wisdom (how you minister and bless me!) posted next week! Do you have a journaling story/insight? Consider quietly slipping a note this way.
Part Two: Journaling: Being Real with Jesus
Part Three: Journaling: As Family Worship
Part Four: Journaling: Burning Bush Conversations
Part Five: Journaling: How to Set Up and Organize a Journal
