A Walk Down Memory Lane

I love to journal! A significant part of journalling is to re-read what you've written. It is a habit of mine to reflect on the past year during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Since I couldn't justify the space a box of journals would take in my overseas bag I've been working to read through five years of journals and extracting parts that point to Papa's presence. If you've ever journalled (even if you haven't written a new entry for months I encourage you to take some time in the evenings to take a walk down memory lane). This process for me has helped be see clearly where Papa has brought me. I see how he has answered requests (sometimes in ways completely different than I was expecting). I see how I've grown and areas that time and time again I struggle with. I want to share an entry I wrote Christmas of 2010. My hope is that it might encourage you.

The Lies We Believe

Why, oh why, troubled soul do you believe the lies you've been told?
By the ones who seek to belittle you. 
By the enemy who seeks to destroy you.
Why, oh why, do you fail to see the truth about who you are?
You're not a mistake.
You were made for a purpose!
You're part of a plan, part of something greater, bigger than we'll ever understand.
Dear child, please listen, open your eyes, rejoice!
This life is not meaningless. You now have a choice. To choose life or death, love or emptiness.
Don't falter, don't wait to make a decision to move forward in life towards love and meaning.
Move towards the light, towards life!
The past is gone, it's already written, grab hold of today and live with purpose.
Bless you dear child as you embark on this journey.
May you be greeted with cheerleaders and challenges.
May you grow and mature and lead others too on a path of hope and reconciliation.
Take not the responsibility lightly, but take your cross with conviction.
Do not lose heart when you meet opposition.
Just draw closer to your life source of meaning to love the One who intentionally made you with all your being.
(Jer. 1: 5-10, Jn. 14: 15-18, 15: 4-7, 2 Chr. 31: 20-21) 

Now, back to packing!!