Journaling Your Faith Your Way

I remember being a young single mother. I wasn't a Christian yet.  I had never heard of Littleton, Colorado. But when the news came on and showed the shooting at Columbine High School, I hugged my little daughters a little longer.

Samples of Rachel Scott's Journal Pages

Years later, when I became a Christian, I was immensely touched by reading The Journals of Rachel Scott.  Rachel was a strong Christian girl that was the first victim at Columbine.  After being wounded, the killer asked her is she still believed in her God.  She responded, "You know I do."  He then told her, "Then go be with Him."  He shot her in the head. 

She was the first modern day martyr for Christ that I had ever heard of on American soil (along with Cassie Bernall, also a Christian martyr at Columbine). Rachel's journals were discovered soon after.  Her family published many of them as an example of a regular teenage girl that loves the Lord.

I have kept journals off and on my entire life.  I'm not very artistic, but I enjoy writing.  Rachel wrote her journal in the form of letters to God.  I LOVE that.  It's a 

prayer that continues throughout experiences and growth.  

I used to scrapbook.  It didn't take a huge amount of artistic talent to scrapbook.  I created book after book with pictures and memorabilia for my children documenting their lives. No stopped when I had my last daughter.  I tell myself I'll get back to it one day.

I love the G2 pens!

Recently Bible journaling has become popular.  I love seeing all the Pinterest pictures with beautiful artwork adorning Bibles.  However, I'm not very artistic.  

Poetry by Brian Johnson, performed live during Kari Jobe's Forever.

Also popular is the concept of a smash book, which is really just a messy scrapbook.  Again, I love the ideas. 

A portion of my journal from a couple months ago.

For me, my journal works.  I can include aspects of Bible journaling and smashbooks.  Mostly, I write letters to Jesus.  I write about my struggles, my prayers for others, what is happening in my world and in my heart.  I share song lyrics and poetry.  I'll copy letters from devotionals written as from God to me, like Sheri Rose Shepherd's His Princess. I'll occasionally include drawings, though I admit I'm not an artist. I'll include other memorabilia, such as notes from my husband or ticket stubs.  

Sheri Rose Shepherd's His Princess Letter.

This is very personal.  Some things are written when I am emotional.  They can be raw, between just me and my Lord.  Some things are confessions of sin or pouring out my hurts.  Just the catharsis of writing and sharing what is inside me with Jesus puts action to my faith.  

I'll include Bible study and sermon notes.  Why?  Because it is part of my life and my relationship with Him.  Will this become a legacy for others after I am gone?  It doesn't matter.  If I wrote, worried that one day someone would read my intimate prayers to my King, I would hesitate to share all of me.  I would never write all my sins and failings. I write for me, to grow closer to the Lord.  What He does with it when I am with Him in eternity is up to Him. 

Ticket Stub from Faith of Our Fathers

Doing this has drawn me closer to the Lord.  Writing out a part of Scripture and finding ways to expand on it; whether through journaling about it or drawing a picture of it or finding other verses, is an incredible way to meditate on God's Word!  I encourage everyone to find ways to make their faith tangible, to document how God is leading them.

My journals have expanded and grown over the years.  No longer is my journal just a letter written telling about my day.  I still do that occasionally.  It's fun to look back and see what I was dealing with.  Most of the time, my journal is about what is in me, what God is teaching me, and the encouragement I have found.  I will even include articles and parts of books.  There doesn't have to be rules.  It's about me and Jesus. 

My limited artistic talent with Lauren Daigle lyrics

Don't look at the Pinterest perfect Bible journaling or crazy cluttered smashbooks and think that you can't do that because you lack the artistic talent or the time.  Those things need to be looked at as inspiration only.  Maybe you are artistic, and those things suit you perfectly.  Awesome!  But if you are like me, go into creating a Bible journal by doing what is you.  If you love to write, write. If you don't feel artistic, buy some stickers and scrapbook stuff. If you are a photographer, put in some of your photos.  If you love being generous, put in copies of your tithe checks and thank God for providing.  If you love music, put in quotes and lyrics.  If you love the Word of God, put Scripture and Bible study notes.  If you are a prayer warrior, write some of those those prayers out.  If you love adventure, put in pictures of places God is taking you or has taken you.  Write about that short-term missions trip and what God taught you. Make the book yours.  

And when the book is full, begin another. Put your journal away. Keep it private if necessary. Pull it out in a few years and look at all the Lord has done.