This is a guest post written by my friend, Mary Kron. When she told me about her beautiful ministry of writing journals for her children and grandchildren, I just knew I had to share her story with you. -Sarah Koontz
I wanted this little treasure, whom I already cherished with all my heart, to know how deeply loved she was from the get-go.
I wanted to tell her how every little heartbeat and kick in my ribs was a cause for great rejoicing.
So I began to write letters to her in a journal, and 21-years later I gifted that journal to her.
It became a black and white record of her mother’s love, the most precious gift I have ever given.
At first, my journal entries contained thoughts about heartbeats, hiccups, and my ever-expanding girth.
In the toddler years, they captured the joyful memories surrounding her first smile, first tooth, first steps, first words.
Eventually, the journal entries became so much more. They became a safe place for me to share my prayers, my hopes, my dreams for this precious little girl.
Soon, I was pregnant again. This time, welcoming a little boy into our family.
So I went to the store and picked out a journal for him, a place to record his firsts, to capture my thoughts and prayers for him.
God blessed me with three children, and all throughout their childhood, I would often revisit their journals, adding details and scribbling thoughts and prayers.
These journals have become living prayers for the ones I love the most.
The written word is full of power; it connects one heart to another, capturing moments and memories that would have otherwise been lost.
The journals I wrote for my children became living prayers for the ones I love the most.My children are all grown now, with families of their own.
In keeping with the tradition, I now keep a journal for each of my grandchildren, this time from a “Granny’s” perspective.
They did not come from my womb, but they surely are birthed in my heart.
I want to pass on to them a legacy of faith and prayer and a living relationship with a living God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.
5 Steps to Help You Create a Keepsake Journal
I encourage every mother to keep a journal for her children, to record her thoughts and prayers for the little ones who grow up far too quickly.
I know that the idea of keeping a journal can be intimidating, so I’ve compiled a list of 5 simple steps to help you get started.
Step 1: Get a Journal
Find a notebook that not only fits the intended future owner, but also one in which you will enjoy writing–that makes you smile when you see it.
Step 2: Create a Space to Journal
I have my own little ritual of curling up in my “nest” with some ice water or tea or a steaming cup of coffee and asking the Lord to guide my pen, guide my thoughts, and show me how to express what’s in my heart that He wants my child or grandchild to hear.
Step 3: Make Time to Journal
You will be amazed at what you will discover about yourself when you sit down to write. It may not be polished or pretty, but it’s you and that’s all that truly matters to your children.
Step 4: Manage your Expectations
Don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself for how frequently, how long, how all-encompassing, how spiritual…each entry must be. You will set yourself up for discouragement and maybe even throw in the towel altogether. Simply commit to writing as often as you can, period.
Step 5: Be Authentic and Real
Life has lots of bumps and lumps in the throat. Sugar-coating and surface shellacking will result in something shallow and only marginally meaningful. The tough places with my children taught me to write my true heart, often times through a waterfall of tears and questions and confusions, and yes, even anger. That’s where, as The Velveteen Rabbit teaches us, we become real. That’s love.
A Precious Gift
On the eve of my baby girl’s 21st birthday, I pensively wrapped her journal in paper and tied it with a bow, hoping she would know that this gift was the most precious I could give.
It was my heart for her, a black and white record of her mother’s love.
The journals I wrote for my children became a black and white record of their mother’s love.I did the same for each of my boys, hoping that the journals would serve as a reminder of their childhood, a window into their mother’s soul.
My children’s responses to their journals were overwhelmingly positive, attesting to feeling loved and considered.
In my daughter’s words: “It felt warm and reassuring in the same way that looking back at baby books and family albums does. It reminded me that my life was was tethered unconditionally to yours.”
She has carried on the legacy with her own children, not only in her journaling but also in a blog she is faithfully writing.
A Mother's Journal is a place for you to record your thoughts and prayers for your children.I hope this article has inspired you to begin keeping a journal for your children.
It is such a fulfilling and worthwhile endeavour.
Sincerely,
Mary Kron
Thank you, Mary, for taking the time to share your story and journaling tips with us. Although I haven’t kept journals for my kids, I wrote them one letter per year when they were little and added it to the back of the yearly photo album. I’m so glad I wrote those words when I did, because that season is such a distant memory now. I’m certain your words are going to be of great encouragement to other mothers and grandmothers as they seek to share their hearts and “living prayers” with their loved ones. -Sarah
