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For many years I have been encouraged to journal my thoughts, with pen and paper!  I have a great example of journalling in my father, who was an avid journal writer, particularly in the latter days of his life.  I began serious journalling in 1994. 

I can hardly believe that 20 years have gone by so quickly.  Seldom do I peak back into the writings.  Somehow the present moment seems to take enough of my time! 

My prompting to return to the journals is often accompanied by a similar situation arising in my life.  For the few occasions on which this has happened, I am amazed at how my current reactions have been rehearsed previously in the journal entries.

In that way, the journal is helpful.  Where the outcome is positive, the affirmation is helpful.  Where there is less than sterling past results, a recalibration may be needed.

Currently I am journalling through a few life transitions that have caused me stress.  My job role is changing, I have remarried after the passing of my first wife two and a half years ago, I have a teen at home after having been an empty nester for eight years.  Those are just a few of the transitions in my life.

I am eager to be two or three years down the road to see what my reactions are/were.  But, for the moment, I need to stop and journal!

As I awake each morning, I attempt to ride my stationary bike – for at least 20 minutes.

Somehow your body awakens.  Much as my early morning time journaling and reading the Bible awakens my spiritual conversation with God, my physical exercise awakens my mind to thinking, my body to action and my heart to a new day.

For all the wonky approaches to exercise, the body “ripping” that people show in videos and pictures, just a bit of activity for the muscles in the body is better than nothing at all.

In fact, maybe we need to start making exercise videos that show the usual daily routine.  I get out of bed because . . . I wander to the room where the bike is because . . . I pedal for a while because . . . and after a time of adjusting to this rhythm the “because” becomes “for the sake of.” 

This can apply to taking a walk, or finding a place where you are rested and can stretch your toes.  I guess it’s not so much what we will look like, but how we will be able to face the day with renewed energy that really counts.

There are days when we meet the sun and the rays examine our day.

Over this past while I have been journalling and seeking to understand each day as a new adventure.  In my journalling, I am finding that loss is a part of my life.  With that in mind, I have been listing my losses and seeking to find a way towards acceptance.

Now, many of these losses have been accepted over time.  The interesting thing of the human brain is that we store many pictures – and when we return to those pictures, we must also return to the context and the follow up that has happened in framing those experiences.

Although I can write of many losses, God has gifted me with each one.  Some have been fully opened and are on display.  But I am finding some that are still wrapped and have somehow been hidden for the last while.  As I open them, I am trusting the giver to shine his light on them.

As the light shines, the dark places will come to light.  That is the promise of a trusted giver.  That doesn’t mean that I am always eager to open the next gift.  A wrapped present means a new and unknown gift.

Again, the giver is the key!  And I lean heavily on past faithfulness and trust for these coming days in the giver’s love for me.

Although the forecast “mixed precipitation” did not occur, the use of that term puts a bit of scare into our farming community.  We expect that frost may come, and rain and dew and even a sprinkle of snow may be present – but when they combine and continue the harvest may be in jeopardy!

Which reminds me that God knows and we don’t.

For years my father served, first as a farmer and then as a weather forecaster.  I suppose one could ask how they related.

Both occupations required a look to the skies and a reminder that we are never in control.  We can manage as well as possible, based on past observations and scientific projections – but we cannot create, sustain or tell for sure (and I mean with 100% accuracy) the future.

When you see both careers side by side, you are soon struck with their similarities.  And perhaps a reason for my father’s firm commitment that there was a God!