Too Much Reflection?

Hello readers! I want to say thanks for sticking with my updated blog. It means a ton that you [for some reason] find my ramblings worth reading. I am truly thankful.

I am writing a day earlier than my normal summer-goal-weekly-blogging-day (aka Sundays) because I am in the midst of traveling. I was not sure if I would find the time and space to write at all this week, but I have! [yippee]

If you have traveled back to any of my older posts from years ago, you may have gathered that I am an avid journaler. My youth pastor’s wife inspired me waaaaay back in the good ol’ days when she showed our Sunday school class her stack of many filled journals.

On that very Sunday, I thought to myself, “I want that. I want to have stacks of journals; so many that I can fill a book shelf!”– and so began the lifelong journey of recording my experiences, praises, sorrows, prayers, and a slight version of scrapbooking. Anyone who knows me would tell you that my journals are easily one of my most prized possessions and my answer to that question, “If you were stranded on an island and could only take three things with you, what would they be?”

Nonetheless, I am now [proudly] on journal number eight and I love it!

Recently I have been thinking about what it means to both journal and blog. Are they the same thing? Should I only do one of them? Am I wasting my time? What are my motives behind journaling and blogging?

I have not come to any specific answers but I am confident in what journaling has meant to me; how it is an extremely important part of my daily life. The written reflection and devotional time helps to keep me sane. Without it, [in a sense] I am not honoring the Lord. I can tell when I have missed a few days and must catch up. On the other hand, I can also tell when I have written because I am uplifted, always sharing with others what God is doing in my life!

I think I’ll keep journaling.

As for the blogging…well, a few friends have encouraged me that they not only enjoy hearing about how God is blessing me, but are also inspired to share my blogs. Some are able to sense God’s presence for themselves after reading. Now, that is why I blog.

Yet, the thought of both forms of writing being the same leaves me feeling uneasy.

Is it possible that one could reflect too much? Maybe I am associating reflection with overanalyzing? As an extremely analytical person, I never want to cross the fine line of dwelling inside my own head for too long. (It is kind of overwhelming).

I have been asked many times, “Why do you like to journal so much?” and my answer is normally, “I do not want to forget anything.” Even though, I know my intentions behind journaling and blogging are different, the end results seem similar sometimes. Even the fact that I am reflecting on reflection should give you a hint as to how analytical I am. (At least I can recognize it in myself haha).

Nonetheless, this past week was so involved from my best friend getting married, my cousin graduating high school, my best friends moving into their own house, another best friend leaving for a summer long missions trip, another best friend returning home from traveling the world, returning to my alma mater to lead student orientation, my big sis moving into grad school, and me traveling to the city that I will soon be living in for my own grad school program. Yup, all this past week. Maybe that is why I journal and blog. If not, who could remember all of this?

I would be lying if I said that these events are no big deal. Every last one of them has had a lasting impact on me in some fashion. God is talking to me through these events and I do not want to miss a single word.

If you have made it this far in reading the blog, first of all, thank you. Secondly, let me encourage you to meet God in your reflections. Create space for it. God has often times led me back to my journals to remind me of His goodness, His provision, and His faithfulness…and those are aspects of life I never want to forget.