The Journals

     The other day I got a coupon for a free photo book. So of course I sat down, filtered through my pictures from the last year and put it together. That made me think about the photo books I've made in the past, so I pulled them out, looked through them, then put them on a shelf where they are more likely to get looked at. Books full of memories.
    Really, photo books are just a form of journaling, and I like to journal. Not necessarily in the traditional way, but journaling non the less. I have multiple notebooks where I keep track of different memories and moments. I have a notebook of just school stuff. The funny things my students say and do, I don't want to forget those gut busting moments of hilarity. I keep a sketch journal where I draw moments and events from my beautiful life. Just simple, colorful sketches and then I write a memory synopsis on the back. I keep a devotion journal where I write my prayers, thoughts, things I'm learning and important life events. And then I have a notebook where I keep a collection of really good quotes. Beautiful words that inspire. Journals, diaries, photos, they are all ways we preserve the wonderful ups and downs. And it is so much fun to go back at look at old entries. To be reminded of the funny, touching, and heartwarming moments. As well as remembering those moments of growth and learning.
     It occurred to me, that the One who gave us life is so much better at taking care of our memories. He really does care. It says in Jeremiah 29:11 "' For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" We work hard to remember, to keep track of the moments of our lives because we don't want to forget. But I think that we all to often forget the beautiful truth that the King of kings and LORD of lords knows our stories. He knows every beautiful moment that we want to remember, because He designed them.          Psalm 139:1,16 "O LORD, You have searched me and know me...Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
      Not only does God remember the beautiful moments, He knows our hard times, the times of pain and sadness, doubt and fear. It says in Psalm 56:8 "You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in your book?" And He is with us through it all. 
     So, whether you like to journal or not. Whether you want to remember something or not. Know that the One who designed this beautiful Spring evening, knows you and your story. And He loves you immensely! 

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." ~Joseph Campbell