By: Desiree Barker
Coracle Spiritual Director, Northern Virginia

I will begin by saying that I did not grow up keeping a diary or a journal. I had two younger sisters and writing down personal things in a diary was not a safe activity at our house! While in college, I did keep a design journal but it was more of a picture file with photos, sketches and notes on elements that I liked or used in the artistic process. Journaling did not come naturally and it was not part of my spiritual routine until just a few years ago.

This story begins some years after my college design journal experience. I was called to lead a Bible study in which we were asked to keep a faith journal as part of the study. Today, I am not sure I can remember the particulars of the actual study but I do remember struggling with the idea of journaling. Pray, yes, I could do that. But write it down where it might be read by others…that might just be asking too much! It was a tough season in my life and there were many unknowns on the road ahead for me and for my family. Journaling was not a habit for me and I was not at all sure that I wanted to commit what was going on to paper. But, I felt that was what the Lord was asking me to do. So, despite my discomfort, I journaled.

Fast forward a few more years and I was asked to lead the same study again. It was during a busy season in my life and ministry but I agreed.  I remember thinking, I had already completed all the work and all I would have to do each week was read through the lesson and lead the group time. Oh, was I in for a faith lesson that was to both grow me in that season and shape my spiritual walk from that time forward! As I read through each lesson, I reread the journal entries I had made during the earlier study. And I quickly realized that my Lord had not only met each need but He had far surpassed anything I knew to or dared to ask at that time. In all those places where I thought I was asking for big things, He exceeded what I asked or had provided a totally different but exceeding better answer! Sadly, I had even forgotten many of the things that had been on my heart during that previous season.

Through that season the Lord taught me to benefits of keeping a journal. I began by recording all that ways God had answered my previous entries. And I responded with prayers of thanksgiving for those answers. The experience was so powerful that I knew journaling would remain part of my regular discipline long after the study ended. I came to realize that in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is so easy to forget what I had taken before the Lord in prayer. By journaling, I had a record of what I had asked and what His answer had been. Now I journal not only the things on my heart but things that I encounter in my reading and study. I record things that I hear in prayer and larger questions that take time to ponder and may or may not get answered. Journaling does not guarantee the outcome that I desire or even an answer to my heart cries. But, it gives me a space to express what is on my heart in a way that I can return to. And it gives me a place to record the deeds and words of God when He responds. It is a precious record of our relationship.

I am, admittedly, a convert to the benefits of spiritual journaling. So much so that I encourage all those I direct or teach to journal in some manner. So, I will close with a few things that might help if you choose to try journaling. First, just begin! I know that might sound obvious but it can often be the hardest part. Second, use whatever materials or form works best for you. A journal in an inexpensive black and white composition book is just as grand as the fancy one that cost much more. It is the content and not the cover that is the true treasure because it is a record of your encounters with God. I choose to journal by hand because it forces me to slow down and listen. But, I know many who journal electronically and love the convenience of always having their journal at their fingertips. I even have one or two friends who journal in pictures or in almost a scrapbook style. Give it a try and experiment until you find what works for you.  

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen  – Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB