Slowing it down here a bit. Contrary to what you might think from someone writing a blog, I’ve never been a huge journaler (apparently that’s not a word, but I’m using it). I’ve journaled (again, really spellcheck?) at certain points in my life but mostly when I was younger. I’ve always enjoyed writing but that was more of the school-related on demand writing kind of thing. And can we count emails? If emails count then I’m a dang novel author (All you career folks out there, do I hear some amens?) Anyway, perhaps that was part of my desire to start a blog, to tap back into that other side of the brain and keep those writing neurons firing.
ALSO, let me say, I’ve also never been much of a New Year’s goal setter. (The connection here will make sense in a minute, I promise.) My rationale for my lack of NY goals has always been that you don’t have to wait till the beginning of a new year to start a goal. In fact, I feel like that adds a lot of pressure. (Probably why I should be doing it haha). But this past New Year’s, both of these came to a head. I’ve been going through a season that has involved developing a lot of patience (and if I've done so, it's only by God's grace). As I've been going through this season, there’s a saying I heard a few years ago that has been on replay in my head. It's this: “As Christians, we’re not meant to survive, but to thrive.” One of the examples given to explain this that really struck me was this worldly mantra of “living for the weekend”. Or in other words, pushing through until the next big event or fun thing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with these big events or fun things but what I believe this saying was getting at is that life happens in these in-between moments and character (and faith) is strengthened while we’re waiting.
Going back to the "weekend" example, I certainly struggle with being satisfied in the mundane and do my fair share of counting down to the weekends (some weeks more than others but nonetheless). So the question I've been pondering is, "what would it look like to just breathe in these other times with thankfulness and contentment?"
Spoiler alert: I don't know the answer BUT through this patience I’ve been developing, my loudest cry has become: ‘God, help me to experience contentment and gratitude right where I’m at, right now. Help me to get to know you better because I know you satisfy a longing no other thing on earth will satisfy.’ And in His dependent way, here was a practical response He gave me. First, the word (or concept rather) of “faithfulness” was “laid on my heart” clearly and emphatically. It became very evident I should start focusing more on the good and not the bad. As most probably know, when you’re going through something challenging, that "something" can become bigger and bigger. Put another way, ‘what you focus on, you magnify’. But the thing is, the good is still there, it’s just perhaps harder to see through all of the fog.
So what did I do with this concept of “faithfulness”? Why, I began journaling of course. I simply started listing out all of the ways, big and small, God was being faithful in my life. And guess what? It’s perspective-changing. PLUS it reminds me that I serve a Good Father and for me, I need that reminder often.
If we're more in tune with the goodness that always surrounds us then we don't need those big events to keep us going and we open ourselves up more to being the people God wanted us to be: solely dependent on Him for all things and maybe just maybe we will find that "peace that surpasses all understanding" Paul speaks of (while he was in prisonbtw). Wayyyy easier said than done. This I know. But I know it's worth a shot.
I shared this concept of a yearly "focus word" with a few people at a bachelorette party this summer and to my surprise, many of them also had started out 2018 with a word or concept they’d chosen to focus on this year. How cool is that? I was so encouraged by this and think it could be an excellent way for me to start each year. The journaling aspect took it to a whole new level because I do try and be positive, but I find that when I intentionally write down stories of God’s faithfulness in my life, it not only helps me seek the truth about His character but it also helps to go back and look at these stories when I am feeling abandoned or sorry for myself.
I don’t journal as often as I’d like…at this point in the year I’m at about 1x per month…but there’s something so sweet about an intentional mindset. It’s not too far of a stretch to understand how this focusing on the Lord’s faithfulness has bled over into all areas of my life and allows me to dig myself out of the self-pity hole sooner.
One other thing to add: Never underestimate the power of a pretty journal and a good pen. It makes it that much more alluring to write in if you think it’s pretty. Or so I've heard :)
Best,
Shay
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