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….
Oh, boy- love this- that is also something I do. We are also kindred spirits!
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!
What a delightful idea–I hope that you don’t care if I begin to practice it, too.
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!
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!
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
Thanks Alida – same to you!
Joy & blessings to you in the coming year!!