Why I Journal?

Yesterday I set out to purchase a journal. I've kept one since I was in the 6^th grade, where we had to write daily. Those entries included me telling on Marshall Anderson for making bad noises and how I felt about certain homework assignments. Reading the thousands of entries over the years, it hasn't changed much. In selecting a journal, I usually choose an image or style with some significance. Yesterday, however, my journey was to embark on progress, not get trapped by perfection. I was in search of $6 or less journal. Ross had a horrible selection of about six (literally) journals, not styles of journals, but a picked over selection of six journals. I found one for $2.99 with colored stripes. It would not have been my top choice, however the alternative was to spend another 60+ minutes in search of the perfect journal and to once again delay the discipline/act of journaling.

When I began writing this morning I thought, "Why don't I type out my thoughts on a blog? Why do I prefer to handwrite?" It is more personal.

I'm less likely to hit the backspace button (as I just did to avoid that typo) or to force my thoughts to be more coherent to God. My journaling is an inner conversation between myself (my head thoughts, my emotions and what my actions) and God. The three parts of me and God (and perhaps his three parts) can talk all at once, can scramble out thoughts and allow for complete honesty. In my journal I tell it like it is. I ask myself hard questions. Yell at God. Demand answers. Expect. I don't worry about legibility or if my grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct. I come as I am: Messy handwriting and open heart.