23rd March 2024
Writing it down
Some time ago, I put a graphic of a Brother Lawrence quotation on my tablet. I didn’t know it would be so apropos for my word this year. ‘Let all our employment be to know God: the more one knows him, the more one desires to know him.’ Experience has shown me this is true. The more time I spend reading the gospels, the more I want to get deeper into them.
One way I’m trying to do this is to write down every statement that describes who he is, not on an electronic device, but by hand in a journal. It helps to write out the words, as it’s a slower way to get thoughts down and helps me think through what I’m discovering.
Old-fashioned journaling seems to be going the way of cursive writing, but it’s still a great way to reflect, contemplate and more fully digest the things of life. Sometimes we forget what we read or think about as quickly or quicker than ice melts. Writing it down helps us remember – or at least we can go back and read it again, and then remember.
For overfull brains, journaling might just help sort through all of the information coming at us every day. It’s also a seldom-recognised spiritual discipline to augment prayer, meditation, gratitude, spiritual formation and listening to God’s voice through the other disciplines. It’s not rocket science and it’s nothing to be afraid of – try it, you’ll like it.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 27 February 2024, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
About the writer:
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA, Grace Communion International congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church