Write it Down
One of my goals for the New Year is to “write it down”.
When life feels overwhelming and I’m struggling to see the good right in front of me…
“Write it down”
I plan to spend time each morning reflecting on the previous day, writing down a simple line or two of what I’m grateful for.
When someone asked for prayer or i’m personally struggling with something…
“Write it down”
Have a journal to record the names of everyone you know and love, and even those who hurt me, or cause pain. Writing their names too.
It may seem simple but reflecting on our days, writing down prayers allows us to look back and see the Lords hand in our life….
Growing up, my pious Grandma modeled this "write it down" goal for me. She was always writing things down. When I lived with her for a brief time, I'd find her little notes scattered all over the house. Although I never looked inside, I know she always kept journals with prayers in them. She told me once that she even wrote down the date that she began praying for it and inevitably the day that prayer was answered 🥹. She was a woman of faith and she had such confidence that the Lord heard her prayers. She had countless notebooks full of how the Lord was answering her prayers!! I admire her faithfulness so much and hope to begin my own journey of "writing it down" so I can begin to see the story the Lord is writing FOR me and WITH me...
For the first few years of motherhood, I have struggled to write anything down. Any of you who have children know our hands are always full, and always busy! It's just a reality for most of us. I've had the increased desire to write things down, feeling these days slipping by and missing the opportunity to capture them fully. Digital documentation is one thing, but writing things down is something else entirely. There's something about the ink and paper that leave a more permanent mark.
So my goals include ....
"Write it down"
It doesn't have to be perfect. A blank notebook will do. Or you can try one of these resources (below) that I'm using as well.
PRAYER BOOK - If you don't already have one, begin a prayer list. Write down the names of everyone in your life. Sit down and think of everyone you can and write down their names. Close friends, family, enemies... you name it! This took me several days as new names popped into my mind throughout the day. Write them down! I'll do a [ part 2 ] on how to sustainably pray for the people in your life so it's not overwhelming....
Who's with me?
Resources:
A Journal of Thanksgiving: Record Three Years of Gratitude in a Sentence a Day
by Ancient Faith Publishing. Compiled and edited by Nicole M. Roccas
Throughout Scripture and patristic writings, Christians are consistently enjoined to give thanks to God in all things. But it can be easy to forget to give thanks on a daily basis, especially in times of trial. This journal contains an inspiring quotation for each day of the year, plus space to record brief thanksgivings for three years in a row. With a consistent practice of giving specific thanks to God each day of the year, you will see your life transformed.
"Remember the Days Reflection Journal"
Christian Monthly Reflection Journal for the Year by Hannah Vasquez of All These Things Blog
This is a Christian monthly reflection journal for recording memories, accomplishments, and more. It is a digital download printable. It has simple floral graphics and matching colors for a pleasing, but not distracting, aesthetic. It is designed to be printed double sided. It is called "Remember the Days."
This reflection journal has two pages per month. There is the Overview Page and the Reflection page. In the back are four Progress Pages.
The Overview page has the name of the month plus a line for each day. Use that list to record special events, travel, moments, birthdays, and anything else momentous in the month. It also has three boxes — one for a brief summary, one for recording where you’ve noticed growth, and one for a quote that was meaningful to you that month.
The Reflection page has twelve boxes with twelve different prompts to help you record things from the month. Some examples are prayers, read, watched, and listened.
There are four Progress pages. You assign a goal, project, or habit to each page. Each month, write down what progress you made in that area.
At the beginning of the journal there are pages explaining why and how to use the journal in more detail, plus a list of tips to help you remember what you want to record.
*This is a digital download which I printed at home and had bound into a spiral booklet at Staples for $5.
This post was originally shared on Instagram. View Original Post HERE.