Hopefully you are now inspired to begin journaling, but there’s still all those stories, clippings, “funnies”, and correspondences to organize. I’ve include these types of remembrances in this booklet on journaling because they also comprise the fabric of life. We keep those treasures because they are a significant part of our journey. They make us laugh, cry, think, draw us closer to God, and keep us connected to friends and family. What we deem important enough to keep is really a reflection of who we are. They need to be preserved in a way that’s easy to enjoy and/or share. The best way I’ve found to do this is in protective sheets in three ring binders. I’ll confess that not all my “happies” dwell in such a place, but I have begun the process, and it’s as simple as 1…2…3…

1. Buy a three-ring binder that allows you to insert a cover and spine. (Then you can add your own creative touches.) If larger than 1 ½ inches make sure it has a “D” ring instead of a circular one. The latter makes it very difficult to turn pages in anything larger than 1 ½ inches. (Trust me on this.)

2. Fill your binder with page protectors which can be purchased at Wal-mart and office Depot.

3. As you find or receive a “keeper”, whether it is a special card, letter, clipping, etc., simply add the date and slip it into a protective sheet.


Other “Binder” ideas

* Create a separate binder for each category: funnies, motivational clippings, letters, etc.
* Binders and protective sheets are great for holding best loved recipes. Add photos of the finished product and a note about where the recipe came from to create an heirloom of family recipes! You may want to include a picture of Grandma making her famous dumplings, or of the kids making chocolate chip cookies.
* Some people may prefer journaling on the computer. Print these entries out on cardstock, add photos, and keep safely in a binder for a photo journal.
* Add your ideas here!

From the beginning God put people in families creating a sense of belonging and a method for educating future generations in His ways. Can’t you picture young Noah sitting at the knee of Grandpa Methuselah learning about the Lord! After living nearly 400 years I’m sure Methuselah had much wisdom to share.[1] What a tremendous blessing for that family! (Just think, even little Shem, Ham, and Japheth had access to Methuselah’s first hand experiences with God!)

While our world may rival Noah’s in terms of immorality, we are missing something of great value his, and past generations, possessed: connectivity. Our busy, mobile lives have severed much of what used to hold us together. We don’t have time or proximity to glean wisdom from those who lived before us nor to share what we learn with those who come after us. And let’s face it, few of us will live to be one hundred years old much less 969. Our time is short. One way we can reclaim that connection with the future is through journaling. As we record our family history and especially our walk with God we increase our sphere of influence beyond our life time. What a powerful possibility! What an awesome responsibility!

Now, go touch the future with your past…

Journal!

[1] A read of Genesis 5:25-29 and a little math reveal Methuselah was 369 when Noah was born. Methuselah died the year of the flood.