A Journal. A Treasure.

 Journaling.

One of my favorite past times.

I delight in curling up on the couch, or sprawling out on the grass with my Bible, my journal and a mound of thoughts.

I can write and write and never tire of the feel of ink flowing freely from my pen as the words pour forth onto the page. I am sure journaling is pertinent in my love affair with the Lord, it's vital to the well-being of my soul.  I encounter the Lord on a blank sheet of paper. He speaks to me through words that don't even resonate in my mind until I step back and look at what has been written.

This very reason is why I journal for my children. A love for writing and a love for capturing memories, has spurred this urgency in me.

I do it for myself, to be reminded of all of the firsts, all of the milestones, and all of the small moments that bring me so much joy.  Even now as I look back, I am so thankful for the reminder of their beautiful development. I have already forgotten so much and if not for the words, I may not have so much detail to spark my remembrance of phases that are long past. 

I do it also for them. There will be a day when they will read the words and I pray they will paint a picture of who they were from birth. Maybe as they read their journals at a young age they will laugh at all of the silly things they have done. And as they mature, possibly they will read them as words far removed. They will not remember the moments I've written about and almost feel as though it is another child I wrote about. But as a parent, someday when they have children of their own, I pray that as they read the journals they will have a tender heart for who they were as a child, understanding who they are as adults. As they experience loving their own child, that they would have a tender heart for me and see that I loved them far beyond words. I loved them with my heart. I loved them deep in my soul. My prayer is that instead of looking at their life and seeing the mistakes I made, they would understand that their dad and I loved them the best we could.  We sought the Lord in cultivating their spirits. I pray that they will see similarities between themselves and their own offsprings. Through that, they will see the Lord's beauty in the passing on of traits. 

I do it for the Lord. I am being obedient in his calling of this from me. A friend told me of this habbit long before I even had children. She told me she felt as though the Lord asked her to share this with me, and I am forever thankful for her obedience. I do it to remind myself each time I write that my children are not mine. They are gifts. Gifts the Lord has entrusted into my care. It is a simple reminder for me to lay them at his feet, give them into his care and pray for them. Pray for their life. Pray for their health. Pray for obedience. Pray for salvation. Pray for their future. Pray for protection. Pray for provision. Pray for all of the things that I so desperately want to give them out of my strength, but know that I cannot. I don't have those things to give. Not to them, not to anyone. 

The way I have chosen to take up journaling for my children is not on a daily basis. It's not even on a weekly basis. I journal as the Lord leads. Often it's a time or two a month. Sometimes I miss a month...or two. I let Noah scribble on the pages when he wishes to. I simply date his artwork and go on with my writing. I let Kayt drool on the pages and I circle it and put a simple note of "sweet slobber" and her age.  I write what I feel. I write about how I feel towards them at that specific moment. I write down favorite words, phrases, toys, songs, activities and past times. I write down the dates of milestones. Often I write prayers, but more often I just let my words flow. 

In my life, these 2 books of paper and ink are treasures. In my husbands life, they are important. In my children's lives, they my be silly or meaningful. That isn't for me to determine. But someday, when I place them in their care, I will hand them over as precious jewels, worth more than all the money in the world.  I will tenderly and lovingly place them in their arms, knowing they actually belong to them. Though they are my words, they are their stories. 

When I do this, I will have much practice handing treasures over. I practice everyday.

I hand my family over to Jesus. My precious jewels, worth more than all the wealth this world could buy...they are His. Though they may be my children, they are His creation.  Though I may orchestrate their daily schedule, He orchestrates their lives...they are his story.  I tenderly and lovingly place them into His hands, thankful that he as allowed me to journey as their mother. 

And someday when I'm gone...I pray that the mere sight of my handwriting makes their heart leap. I pray they know that their daddy and I loved them as much as a parent could. 

I would like to know how other parents document their children's lives. Many people journal, I know I'm not alone, but are there other ideas? What has the Lord put on your heart? I would love to hear from you and possibly adopt your ideas.