Blessing and Journal Writing

Let me first start off by clarifying: journal writing has never been my forte.

I think I was about 13/14, maybe even 12ish, but the Alonzo E. Bushman (lovely name I know) family was challenged to say their prayers for a year, read their scriptures for a year, and write in their journal for a year.  If you finished it, you got a certificate. 

My mom and dad challenged my sister and I to do it.  I'm pretty sure I did it, but I look back at my journal entries for the year, and let's just say they were lame.  I think one verbatim would have gone like this, "It was a nice day today."

I'm the Sunday School teacher for the 14/15 year-olds in our ward.  In the month of August, we talked about record keeping and family history.  One of the talks I had to read to prepare my lesson was President Henry B. Eyring's, "O Remember, Remember".  In it, he talks about how for several years he kept a journal detailing how he saw the Lord's hand in his life, and in the lives of his family. 

**I'm going to meander while I stand on my soap box.  I firmly believe that to everything there is a season.  We are all at different stages in our lives.  If you have not felt prompted to keep a journal, don't feel guilty!  There's something else you should be working on.  This is what the Holy Ghost told me to do.  Not you, (unless he has, in the which, you have my permission to feel guilty).  I loved what Elder Scott said in his last (April 2013) conference talk, "We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time."

Back to my story. 

I felt prompted to keep a journal.

Ignored it. 

Taught my lesson.  Told the kids they should keep a journal.  Again, felt prompted.  Again, ignored it. 

A couple of weeks later, I was praying for the desire to want to become better.  (I know, confusing.  Read it through a couple of times).  I had a very strong impression, that I'd already been told what I needed to do to work on becoming better.  I needed to keep a journal. 

My thought, "I'll do it tomorrow."

**people, I am obviously very impressive.

Then, this girl buckled down and told herself, "No.  You prayed to know what you needed to do, and you can't procrastinate it.  Write it tonight.  Even if it is late.  You already bought the notebook when it was on sale because of back to school."

I did.

The blessings have been beyond compare.  There have been blessings that I've received from writing in this journal that aren't even related at all to journal writing.  I've had insights into my parenting, my marriage, and myself.

I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who sent me repeated promptings to do something that in the end, would only benefit me.   I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to become more grateful, and more aware of God's hand in my life.  I've been grateful for things like red lights, answers to prayers, and songs playing on my iPod.  I've had blessings that I didn't need, just wanted.  And I have precious memories recorded to read again. 

Now I just need to work up the courage to find out what the next step on the path for me is.