Notes from My Personal Journal
Do you take time to hear from God and keep a journal? It is always interesting to read back over the years of writing – to reflect on the journey. Your journal is private so you don’t have to be concerned with sentence structure, just allow the words to flow. You write from your inner most being or your right brain, as some would say. Sometimes I write about painful experiences, about the agony of letting go of an adult child who has wandered off into a strange land, about times that I felt betrayed by those with whom I worshipped or about disappointments. Other times I write about victories, about counseling experiences, about my children and grandchildren’s achievements and awards, about our son’s deliverance from his 28 years of addictions, about friends of many years who have remained faithful.
In life there are many ups and downs, friends come and go, but as the song goes “Through it all….I learned to trust in Jesus, I learned to depend upon His Word”.
A few excerpts from my recent musings:
March 7, 2008
As I sit here enjoying the quietness of the moment, I think about the goodness of God and about those who visit our website and pray with us daily. I read somewhere recently that writing is very much like praying. That caught my attention because when I look back through my journals so much of my writing has been prayers addressed to the Father. Sometimes, I begin: O Lord God Almighty, other times: Loving Father or Lord Jesus, and often I ask the Holy Spirit to help me – to give me words and creative ways to praise my God. Then I will write prayers of thanksgiving – for the more abundant life and the many blessings He has given me. All glory to the Father who gives us good and perfect gifts – He withholds no good thing from us. He does everything extravagantly, lavishing us with all love, prudence and wisdom. He intended from the beginning to bless His people.
When I’m writing a prayer I pour out my feelings of gratitude, love and appreciation to the one who knows me best and loves me most. Isn’t it amazing that the God of this vast universe looked down through the eons of time and planned for His children; even in which century we would be born? He knew each of us – He even chose each one to be His very own before the foundation of the world. And He sent His Word (Jesus) to rescue us and deliver us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love where we can enjoy all that He has so freely given to us. Having given us His Son, He now freely gives us all things.
Thank You for teaching me to ask, believe and receive all that You have provided for me and all Your children. Today, I feel grateful!
March 8, 2008
Last night all was quiet; today the waters outside my window are madly dancing, the branches of the hardwood trees are bowing with the winds of stormy weather. March is supposed to be windy, but I hear more than the wind, I hear the travail of the earth as it prepares for the glorious day of the sons of God. Looking out the French doors I’m amazed that even in the midst of choppy waters and gray sky the hint of green on the willow tree is announcing “spring is coming – spring is coming.”
Tomorrow I celebrate my 74th birthday and feel that there is yet so much to do; other books to be written, unwritten songs to sing, sciences to learn and so many facets of my God that I don’t yet know. Someone said that the age of 70 is like yesteryear’s 50. I don’t know if this is true, but I hope so because I think of promises unfulfilled: the glorious church without spot or wrinkle, which Paul writes about in the book of Ephesians, the end-time harvest I long to witness; will it be in my lifetime?
Today, I feel happy.
March 9, 2008
This morning my husband and I were scurrying around preparing for our drive to Asheville, North Carolina when he suddenly stopped and said, “Happy Birthday!”
Laughing I said, “Oh, thank you. I forgot that today’s the day, and the beginning of the rest of my life.” My Father, when I think back over years, I am filled with gratitude for Your faithfulness. You have proven Yourself time and time again to be mighty, to be more than enough for any situation. Even when I allowed others to influence me, You brought me back in focus and in agreement with Your plan and will for my life.
Those many years ago when my darkness was turned to day, I began changing my system of thinking. I exchanged my “I can’t” for Your “you can” because You and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be my Teacher. Before too long I was thinking and saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Holy Spirit, You taught me that I am the master of my thoughts and God’s Word began to dominate my thinking and continues shaping the world around me. Because I am Your daughter I imitate You. My Creator, You designed me to be a creator.
Today, I feel pretty. (Well, that’s strange, but I believe I’ll stay with that feeling.)
Now dear reader and fellow intercessor, I would love to hear from you. Do you enjoy reading about another person’s journey? Don’t forget to write your testimony for the website or leave a comment or prayer request on the “blog” page.
Germaine
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.