Here are 3 tips to get the most out of your journaling.

1.  Doodles Accepted!

     Throw out Grammar 101.  This is the place for jotted notes and daydreaming.  Give yourself permission to explore your creativity.  Fynn said, Sheet after sheet of paper showed that Anna had experimented with words, numbers, objects, and codes until she had finally come to the conclusion that the problem about inventing a language wasn’t that it was very difficult; far from it.  The difficulty was, how do you choose among so many possibilities?   (Mister God, this is Anna, p. 56)

Let your paper be a place to draw a palm tree or record the funny things your child said at the breakfast table.  This is your place to scribble.  Write it the way you want.  It is for your eyes only, until you choose to share the insights gleaned.

2.  Questions Welcomed!

     Life is full of unanswerables.  Sometimes it just feels good to release them to paper.  Resist the urge to solve everything.  Maybe you’ll take a hard look at your own path, but there’s no question too silly to track in your own journal.  The last few months it has been cathartic to reexamine my goals as a writer.  Am I called by God, or have I dialed the wrong number? 

     My journal is a safe place to hash out concerns about life and purpose:

            “Genesis 12:5  ‘they set out…and they arrived.’  What is my destination, Lord?  I set out to be an author and speaker.  Did you have something different in mind?”

3.  Prayers Cherished!

     Does your mind wander when you pray?  Write it down;  it will clarify your thoughts and solidify your intentions.  Use scripture to guide your prayers.  Ephesians provides one such opportunity…when you personalize it by writing it out in first person, it takes on a whole new dimension.

            “Father, I kneel before You.  You have given Your Name to Your whole family in heaven and on earth!  I pray that out of Your glorious riches You would strengthen me with Your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith.  I pray that I would be rooted and established in love, and  have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that I may be filled to capacity with all the fullness of God.  You are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power at work within me.  Glory to Your Name in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen”  Ephesians 1:14-21

No matter how you say it, a journal can be your lifeline.  No two people approach it the same.  No way is the only right way.  Just be sure you do!

What’s your angle?

Sally