I am one of those girls who enjoys pretty writing pieces. I like fine-point pens and Sharpies, especially the gold-ink ones. I grew up journaling and am so grateful that my youth pastors and mentors encouraged me to journal. While working in kids ministry and volunteering in youth ministry, I’ve noticed that it is less common to bring a notebook and pen to take notes at church and even more uncommon to just journal at home. I know you can take notes on your phone now, and on a few occasions, I’ve used the notes app to jot down speakers quickly. I enjoy it because I can’t write fast enough! But there is something special about slowing down and bringing paper and a pen.
Like so much of this time, today’s generation of teenagers is very “instant.” I’ve had many conversations with students who say, “I’m so stressed or rushed to get things done.” Even in church, when we take intentional time to be with God, our minds go from taking notes on our phones to scrolling and bringing up all those emotions we just laid down during worship. We must return to the basics of bringing journals and writing materials because they will not distract us, and we can put technology aside for a time.
Many of my past posts were journal entries, which is how EmbracedBravery was inspired and created. It started with the words embrace and bravery separately in little notes and thoughts through the years. Through lots of notes and ideas, the Lord brought the words together through ink and prayer. It became the golden ink that I would one day share with others. I think of all the ink used in the Bible and how precious each parchment and letter was to those who received them and would one day shape our Bible today. Those scribes took the time to slow down and write down what God was doing to share with generations they would never meet, but it was so important that the words became the ultimate truth shared with us.
God wants to share so much with you, and there are so many ways He will share with us, but what if we slowed down and wrote God a letter? What if we jotted down our thoughts, prayed over them one day, came back a week later, and reflected on what God did in them? I’m not saying to do a “dear diary” entry to check off your day with God; I’m saying to embrace the time to stop, slow down, pick up a pen, and write what’s on your heart. This is between you and God, so He is not judging your handwriting, spelling, or how much you write. It can be half a page! All He desires is your honesty and your willingness to hear from Him.
Here are some ways to start a page
Holy Spirit Come
Dear (Blank), Whatever you call Jesus. (Father, Abba, God, Daddy)
Jesus, place a word on me that I should write about with you.
Always start with prayer, and His presence will do the rest.
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