Write it down, Part 2. One thought at a time

Have you ever considered your thoughts? I mean really trying to decipher one thought at a time. It is a mind boggling experiment. Were you to count them how many would they be? From one second to the next did you even catch that thought flying by?

I worked through Max Lucado’s book, “Tame your Thoughts,” and Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, “Switch on Your Brain.” They talk a lot about capturing your thoughts and taking every thought captive to the Lord Jesus Christ. I discovered my thoughts are quick little puppies. What does it even mean to “capture” my thoughts?

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So again I began writing a thought down and stew on it awhile.

Studies have proven the cognitive benefits of writing things down. From an article called: “The Science of writing things down: Why paper Boosts memory and focus,” states, “When you write by hand, your brain processes information more deeply than when you type.” I know I am going against the grain of our worldly mindset these days, but who am I to argue with science. According to this article studies have shown that handwriting engages the parts of the brain linked to learning and memory. Writing something down forces you to slow down and think about it. This deeper processing helps you remember details more clearly.

Thus I do have a paper calendar where I write appointments and to do lists down. If I want to remember things I had better have them written and color coded on my paper calendar. That what will give my brain my best shot of remembering.

I have labeled this summer, “A Spirit Quest.” I want to truly know the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit of God. I want to know the thoughts of God and as Paul wrote, ““For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And so my saga begins. I discovered the Holy Spirit speaks to me when I write things down. I look at a blank page in my journal. It’s empty but full of potential, full of promises for wisdom from heaven. I begin to write and it is like a pressure valve being released in me. I have discovered not every thought that flows through my mind is worthy of writing down. In fact my own thoughts are really quite fleeting and not life giving. There is a lot of noise and static in my mind. Writing my thoughts down helps me distinguish and separate what is from God or what is just loud noise. And if I’m honest: my own thoughts are quite selfish, but then there comes a thought there bears noticing. Maybe it is something I just read. Or a verse I might skim past but God’s Spirit causes me to pause, “WRITE IT DOWN!”

The other day I wrote a quote from my INSPIRATION CO devotional. “Numbering my days lead to wisdom and intentional living.”

And this one from INSPIRATION CO

Writing is my way of releasing my worries. They go out of my head and onto the paper, but then it became more. I looked at all my post it notes, I looked at all the lines in more journal. Am I just writing these things or do I believe them? Are they life to me? Do I truly believe God is with me at all times? I write these down. I tape them every place I see emptiness. They have to become life to me. Yes, I do want to know God better than I did yesterday. Yes, intentionally create a good day one thankful thought, one faithful choice at a time. These notes had to become something I did and more than something I wrote.

Writing God’s promises and His Wisdom takes God’s Word on a ride through my mind and throughout my body and into my heart, then onto paper where I can tangibly be reminded of His promise throughout my day.

So to my children I leave you this legacy. It is my inheritance to you guys. It has no monetary value, but they are life giving to me. Look for my journals. Read my thoughts. I am trying to record all the lessons the Lord is teaching me throughout my life. They aren’t organized. They are quite jumbled, but that’s an issue the Lord and I are working through.

I know this sounds like the premise to Taylor Sheridan’s series, “The Madison.” In all fairness to myself, I began journaling long before Taylor Sheridan came along. His premise is good though. I always wished my dad would have written his stories down. It would have made for an epic adventure dosed with quite a bit of humor.