The Gift of Writing by Michelle M. Brown

“All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the work and details [to be done] according to this plan.” 1 Chronicles 28:19 AMP

As a new Christian, I more often than not found myself unable to calm my brain long enough to pray. Not only did I not know how to pray, believing I needed to bodily be in a particular position, with a completely calm mind as I went through my list of prayers for everyone and everything I could think of. I also believed the perfect prayer session would be neat, orderly and required eloquent language skills.

The reality was quite the opposite. I have a bad knee, and kneeling is painful. My brain is never calm or orderly and remembering all the people and things I wanted to pray for was impossible. I felt like a failure, unable to pray for others as they prayed for me. Neither able to communicate with Jesus, nor find the peace that I was told I would find in prayer.

On my 40th birthday, I was given a beautiful journal as a gift. I wasn't new to journaling, but in the past, as I wrote out my most profound thoughts and fears I often destroyed them for fear that someone in my life would read them and use the contents of the journal to hurt me. There was too much ammunition in those books for the abusive people I'd had in my life, but my life had changed. I was single, had good friends, and there was nobody to invade my privacy. I could once again unburden my thoughts on paper.

I embraced that beautiful new journal and poured all my pain and hope into it. Detailing my new-found faith, my struggle to find my place in the world and in God's Kingdom. I wrote with passion and in turn, found healing.

As the years progressed, I found I was writing less to myself and more as a letter to someone else. I was painting a picture of my story, speaking for myself and others and my hope for our lives. Posing questions and asking for guidance. I was talking to God.

I had not made a conscious decision to start a relationship with God on paper, but once I realized I had done it, I consciously made the decision to write down my prayers and maintain my conversations in this medium. One that allowed me to stop thinking long enough to start communicating.

The focus of writing gave release to beautiful words of hope, despair and my victories with Jesus. To a thankfulness of the life I was given and the daily miracles that I encountered: a private joke and the laughter I shared with my new husband; the tiny, injured bird I found in the snow that would go on to live; and an early morning sunrise which brought peace and the hope of a new day.

I discovered that writing calms my brain, orders my thoughts and gives birth to God's direction. In my own hand, I could find Him, speaking to me with love and a purpose for my life. I found solace and understanding for my failings.

Through writing, I found my relationship with God -- a deep love that is given and a greater love that is received.

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Michelle M. Brown was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada. She has a background in Marketing & Design. An avid hiker and adventure junkie she has embarked on a journey to conquer 50 adventurous activities in her 50th year.

Spurtster by Glynis Belec

I'm a Journal Spurtster.

In other words, I journal in spurts. When I am going through challenges, trials, troubles, frustrations,
periods of questioning, times of refreshing - I pull out my journal and free write. What a great way to pour out emotion and hone in on how a particular situation made me feel at the time. Then there are desert times where I write nothing in my journals.

I would love to brag about how dedicated I am and how I consistently blog every evening at the close of the day. Sigh. It's my intention, but it takes a big pinch for me to do that. I am pretty good at writing in two of my journals, though. (Although, lately I have been a bit delinquent with those.)

One of them is loosely titled, Trekking through the Word and the other one is What's in my Bible?

Trekking through the Word is a journal where I take a little passage and read. I began at Genesis, and write my own commentary on what I 'get out' of that passage; or maybe how God speaks to me or directs me.

The next one, What's in my Bible, is based on my pack-rat tendencies. In my bible (thank goodness I have a big bible cover) one can find everything from funeral cards, to handwritten notes from students, to art work from grandchildren, to poetry, sermon notes, to inspiring quotes, to cards, to - well you name it, I've got it. When it stockpiles and my Bible cover bulges, I clean it out and put my treasures in a box by my bed. Then when I write in my What's in my Bible journal, I comment on what 'it' is and then I reflect on the person or persons involved and what they mean to me or how they have affected my life or whatever comes to mind. I love doing this and it helps me preserve memories.

When I was going through chemotherapy for cancer nine years ago, I was such a diligent journaller and how happy I am that I was. When I look back in my many journals over two years, I cannot believe how much I poured onto the page. I remember a lot of the situations, but let me tell you, I would never have remembered all the emotions attached to the situation if I hadn't written it all down. I wrote poetry a lot. I shared some deep-seated thoughts that I don't think I would have ever remembered without it staring me in the face on the written page. My mind can capture events but it is weak to remind me of feelings - other than something superficial. I still have to write that book based on my journals! But even if it takes me a few more years, I still have the written evidence that will never be fabricated.

That said, journalling isn't for everyone. And I don't think writers need to feel obligated or apologetic if they choose not to journal. What works for one, doesn't necessarily feel right for another. And it certainly isn't anything to do with laziness. Maybe exhaustion, but not laziness! I can't journal at any time of the day except night time. This might sound a little cockeyed but I have to be in bed to journal. And if I am plum exhausted, journal is not high on my list of priorities.

But when I am ready to journal, I love how words pour from my hand onto the page. And don't even get me started about sermon notes. When I'm listening to a sermon, I take notes. It's my way of decreasing distraction and oh, how I love to reread and reflect. But that's a whole different story (and a whole big box of 'other' books!)

I wonder sometimes, about what will happen to my journals (and my big box of sermon notes) when I am dancing in heaven. I suppose it won't much matter at that point. My children did not inherit my pack-rat tendencies. Hmmm. Just a minute. I have a granddaughter who actually loves to collect. Maybe I can make a note in my will ...

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

Psalm 102:18