RAW

I picked up an old journal today and was reading the first entry from about 4 or 5 years ago. Boy, was it ugly. As I read through it my heart ached and I remembered living those moments and going through that struggle.

Nothing could have reminded me the way those words did. They were written from pain, fear, frustration, and hopelessness. There were pure, unedited, and honest. They were RAW.

I wasn’t trying to candy-coat or paint a picture. I was pouring out my heart. It was one of my first attempts to journal. It was the beginning of a beautiful thing.

My cousin Leah gave me that journal. She signed it and wrote “read the cover and then fill the pages with your words.” The cover says. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13.

She was the first one to encourage me to start journaling. She had no idea what I was going through but God used her to start me on my journey of healing through the process of honest, raw writing.

So as I read those raw, unedited words this morning, I realized those honest words help me to see just how much God has done in my life. The truth in the Bible verse on the cover is what got me through those hard times. It’s the transparency on the pages that helps me to see that God did give me strength and He got me through.

If I hadn’t written down the raw story, as things got better I would have forgotten just how much God brought me through. To be very honest, if I wasn’t able to see the truth of my life and the circumstances as they were, then I’m not sure things would be better today. The Bible say’s the “the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. If I hadn’t been honest, I wouldn’t have a measuring stick to see how far I’ve come.

Today, I added a new journal entry on the next available page. It was so refreshing and rewarding to be able to reflect on what I went through and what was taking place in my life now. Instead of tears and sorrow I had smiles and joy. I wrote about the blessings of trials that lead to growth and maturity. I talked about the death of things and how God brings life from death. It was also RAW.

RAW is important because that’s what real. That’s where truth reigns and that’s where you will meet God. That’s where you grow and mature and that is where you heal.

When I look back at the words from so long ago, I hear a woman who felt helpless and lost. I hear a woman crying out to God in her brokenness. She ran to the place of safety. She called on a God who could strengthen her and a God who has the power to do anything and everything. She ran to the arms of Jesus and that’s where she found healing.

One day I will look back on my new journal entry and God will remind me of new things. He will encourage me through the words of joy and praise. It will be an encouragement to hold on in difficult times because I will be reminded that storms will pass. God will get me through and I will have a record of his faithfulness.

If there is one thing I could persuade you to do, it would be to start journaling. I would love to help you understand the value of journaling. It is a safe place to release your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It’s a great way to talk to God and keep a book of remembrance. Its a place where you can go and be you. It’s a RAW place were you don’t have to hide.

I am thankful everyday that I picked up a journal and a pen and I began to write. Today I have 12 Journals. 3 waiting to be filled. 3 partially filled and the rest full of the RAW me.