Don’t Forget to Write. . .
I started it in 1988. The pages are yellowed with age, but the words are strong. From Proverbs 10:29(a) KJV “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright:”. . .then I went on to Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV—one we all know by heart. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.” Thus was the beginning of my prayer journaling. It should have been called my Skippy journal. Or “Sporadic Journal”. That’s what it seems to have been now. But I know I kept on praying…I just didn’t take the time to journal. I had two small children and they kept me hopping from the time my feet hit the floor until I collapsed on the bed at night.
What caused me to unearth this book from it’s resting place in the bottom of a drawer was Wanda’s prayer journal. I have hers. One day someone will have mine. I now realize the value of the written word. Touched by her hands, words scratched out with pen or pencil from a sincere heart beating with the love of Jesus Christ. It has great value to me–for inside are her thoughts on the WORD of God. Her prayers and her struggles, along with pages of praise! I just noticed. Mine is much the same. Favorite scripture quotes, insights and prayer needs. In essence, a journal does a lot for the writer, but for the reader down the road it offers great encouragement!
When troubled about a situtation I would write it out. Then, when God gave me the peace through His word or through prayer, I would write out the answer or the change of attitude. Wanda did the same. It has encouraged me to see and know that I am not alone in the struggles that I face daily. You aren’t either.
In a conversation with a dear friend recently, I commented that cards or notes of encouragement is something that I try and send often. The best time—is when I have needed encouragement myself! I usually put scriptures or a prayer for the individual and pray for them as I write. You have no idea how much this act of love can help the “sender”. And then the extra blessing when the “receiver” gets the card of encouragement in the mail and they are lifted up and know that someone is there along side them in their pain. Praying.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV (emphasis mine)
Dear sisters, I see and feel the day approaching. Let us get about the business of encouraging one another daily. If you have an address for the individual, use the mail man. If you have the e-mail address only, use it! Always share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ~for in His Word is power—and I tell you today—with all the urgency in my heart—we will need all the power He can and WILL— pour on us as we go about the business of sharing our love and faith in Him to others!
I’ve been here before. As a matter of fact, I believe this year, I opened the first page of Laced with Grace for 2008 with the devotion called “Dawning of a New Year“. In the past 365 days many changes have taken place in my life. Many were unexpected. Lives were forever changed when my dear sister went home to be with Jesus. Other changes took place when my oldest daughter’s marriage had serious struggles, but through the prayers of many and by the grace of God, they are together and working harder on their relationship. In my heart I know of changes that, perhaps no one else will know. But God does. He is working the changes. My willingness to go–do and be whatever He calls me to. And—I concentrate no more on the calling….but on Him. And I have peace.
I will leave you with words from Paul to the Thessalonians—they are good for sharing to our hearts and lives today! “But I don’t need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God’s people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more.” I Thessalonians 4:9-10 NLT
Trusting Him,
Such an inspiring post dear friend, love you.
Angie, what a great and inspiring post. I love the parts about the prayer journal. I’ve considered that and wondered at its effectiveness and purpose. Now, thanks to you, I know of several purposes for it.
And I love “let’s get down to the business of encouraging one another daily” — That kind of sums a lot of things up in a nutshell.
Wishing you a beautiful 2009!
There’s a quote that, unfortunately, sums me up… “The road of life is paved with good intentions.” I WANT to be one of those people like you that have encouraged my life with a written note or card, I just rarely get around to it.
Thanks for the encouragement/challenge to work on this area of my life.
Love you bunches!
Angie, this is a great word of encouragement. I believe that we are in a day like no other that those around us are in desperate need of being encouraged and being given Truth that will give them hope, love and peace.
Last year I started a personal ministry where I send out 3 cards a week to women in my church. One of the three cards I write out is to one of the other Pastors wifes to simply let them know I am lifting them up in prayer and I encourage them with a scripture.
A simple thing on my part, but yet every single week one of those women will come and tell me how on the very day that card arrived they were struggling, or needed to hear someone cared.
Giving encouragement is an act of love. Thanks for sharing this word with us today….Laurie
Angie:
A good day for reflection. When I consider where I was a year ago and where I am now, not much has changed on the perimeter. But the interior? I see growth that only God can measure. I see it in pieces and am believing God for the whole.
Who can fathom a year’s worth of learning and living on the front end? I can’t. But as I begin 2009, I begin it with the understanding that where I am today is but a jumping off point. A place of beginning again and going deeper with God.
That’s my heart’s desire for the New Year. For the next week!
Love you and wishing for you the immeasurable peace and portion of our God this year.
~elaine
I really enjoyed this. Thank you.
I found the verse from Hebrews last night and felt like reading it again today here was confirmation of something I’m starting Friday on my blog. Praise God!
You have written a precious post….
The “value of the written word”….some of the most treasured keepsakes from my grandparents have been books or cards that have their comments written in the margins. It truly is like they are speaking straight to my heart when I read what is written.
It is amazing how God will use each of His children to uplift another…and always just at the right moment. He is so good!!
I have a few of these on my shelves-written sporadically through the years-some pages have come out and are just shoved back in the cheap composition books. When i remember how low I felt at some points and go back and read- I “see” God’s hand! I love the yellowed pages-life has been lived! Blessings to you! Amanda
I am one that you have encouraged with card, an email, God’s spoken Word. Thank you. And I pray that you have A Wonderful New Year with our Lord.