• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Legal Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Speaking
  • Healthy Spirituality Store
  • Resources
  • Bio
  • Healthy Spirituality Gift Guide

My Favorite Year End Ritual

December 30, 2010 By Jean Wise

My favorite year-end ritual begins today. The next two days I will curl up in my overstuffed chair and reread my 2010 journal. I call it “Harvesting my Journal” and I have enjoyed this reflective journey every year for at least the past 15 years.
With a highlighter and my favorite pen in hand, what do I look for?
·      Cherished moments.

·      Unexpected joys and obstacles

·      Reoccurring thoughts or stubborn won’t go away God nudges

·      Bible verses that guided me or still sing to me even if I don’t know why

·      Times I felt God’s presence and times I walk in lonely darkness

·      Lessons I learned and lessons that will take a life time to fully comprehend

·      Answered prayers and dreams that still bubbled with life and passion

I highlight and summarize on the December 31st entry.
On January 1st, you will find me buried in my journal once again, praying, and listening to God about the upcoming year. I tried my best to record what I feel is His hopes, dreams, goals for me the next 365 days.
I pause and lift up my journal and my life journey once again into His hands.
Then I start once again:  January 2….

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email

Filed Under: Seasonal, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. Dawn Paoletta says

    December 31, 2013 at 7:26 am

    Oh, boy- love this- that is also something I do. We are also kindred spirits!

  2. blankJean Wise says

    January 2, 2011 at 1:45 am

    I am so glad Phil and Pamela you found this idea useful. I know it has blessed me richly. It become quite a prayer between the Lord and me looking back on one year and trying to sense where to stretch and grow in the new year. Bless you all in 2011!

  3. blankPamela says

    January 2, 2011 at 12:42 am

    What a delightful idea–I hope that you don’t care if I begin to practice it, too.

  4. blankPhather Phil Malmstrom says

    December 31, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    What a wonderful year end tradition Jean! I think I’m going to spend some time this weekend going back over my postings for 2010 as well.

    Thank you for all you do throughout the year, and have a Blessed New Years!

  5. blankJean Wise says

    December 31, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    Thanks for visiting Bryan and I hope you come back. I have found journaling to be a good fit for me as a spiritual practice. I don’t journal every day and occasionally go weeks inbetween but this morning when I did this yearly ritual, I was amazed at God’s touch and guidance throughout the year. Actually I was surprised how much I heard this year.

    Yes, Yes God is Good!! Glad to connect with you!

  6. blankyouth pastor says

    December 31, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    Wow, you incorporate such a fantastic means of chronicling God’s activity in your life all year round. For whatever reason, I’ve never been a faithful “journaler.” But I can say unequivocally, God is good!

    By the way, I found you on phatherphil’s site. God bless and Happy New Year!
    Bryan

  7. blankJean Wise says

    December 31, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Thanks Alida – same to you!

  8. blankAlida says

    December 30, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Joy & blessings to you in the coming year!!

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

blank Read More…

Subscribe to Healthy Spirituality and learn more about spiritual practices such as prayer

This book will help you as you plan and attend a spiritual retreat

blankblank

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest

Search This Blog

Categories

Copyright © 2023 Lifestyle Theme · Genesis Framework by StudioPress Themes · Blog Set-Up By Blogelina