What is your Practice? What activity do you actively,
regularly do to help you draw closer to God? There are a few things that I have
done over the years and even more recently that I am finding helpful for my
spiritual development.
I think that the first thing I would like to share is the
practice of journaling. I have written in journals for many years. I think
that, even though we have moved too many times, I could still find a notebook
that I used in Viet Nam over 50 years ago.
It may be good to mention that I don’t think you have to
journal in order to be growing spiritually. I am only sharing what has helped
me and a little of how it has helped me.
Journals like the proverbial diary are very personal. This
is a place where I can put all of my thoughts on paper and look at them.
Sometimes this is definitely not something I want others seeing. But it can be
very helpful in really seeing what I am thinking and in coming to actions
necessary to improve situations.
In my journaling in recent years I have tried to start my
journal entries with at least three statements of thanks. I usually address
these to my Father in Heaven. This practice has helped me to appreciate things
that I had not considered blessings. This has included big things like a
healthy new baby and little things like hot coffee. It has also come to include
things that we don’t often think of, like the loss of a loved one or a
financial setback. There are many scriptures to support this but just one is 1st
Thessalonians 5:18.
Journaling has also been very helpful in better
understanding of God’s will. Many times, when I have a question or a problem
about what to do or what a scripture means, I will write the question in my
journal and as I am writing the question, I begin to understand the answer.
Then I write the answer that I see, so that I can pray about that.
These are just a few of the benefits that I have found,
journaling. I hope you will think about it and see if it is not a tool or
practice that might be helpful for you.
Journalers please comment.
Be Faithful, Rick
