Revd. Ernie Grimshaw
Putting pen to paper may have unhappy associations for some, particularly those who have struggled at school or who found writing essays difficult. However, these earlier experiences don’t need to put you off using a spiritual journal as a whole new way of connecting with God.
A spiritual journal is a highly personal record of our own journey with God. It is not concerned with spelling, grammar or punctuation; nor does it have to fit into anyone else’s ideas of length, content or style. A journal may contain some comments about what is going on in your life, but its real focus is on where God might be found in those events, what God might be doing in our life; stories of grace will sit alongside stories of struggle in prayer or relationships. For some people, a journal might be a series of written reflections on Scripture verses, song lyrics or poetry that have touched our hearts. For others it might be a compilation of pictures, doodled diagrams with a few words here and there or collages copied and reduced in size so they fit.
Whatever shape the journal takes, whether a simple, spiral-bound notebook, a scrapbook bulging with special bits and pieces, or a series of reflections in a protected computer file, one thing is paramount: that the journal holds the story of our walk with God in the valleys and on the hilltops of life, and, just as importantly, along the paths of daily routine with their inevitable potholes, curves and cul-de-sacs,
So what is your history of writing, doing assignments or keeping a diary?How do you feel about keeping a journal as an aid for spiritual growth?
If you already keep a spiritual journal, what have been the benefits or difficulties?
I’m one of those people who did struggle at school and did find essay writing difficult. I have found over the years that recording my thoughts and feelings in a spiritual journal has been very helpful. If you have never kept a spiritual journal, maybe you would like to do so during this period of Lent.
Best wishes Revd Ernie Grimshaw