Putting 200 Day Journal to Rest for the Rest of the Season – Adjusting my Focus

Some of you may already have noticed that the 200 Day Journal prompts have halted. As in a few late prompts, and then, from a trickle to a braking train, we arrive at a dead stop at Prompt 81. Originally I intended to take our current jpurney straight through November to the start of Advent, but I am gonna just ct to the chase here, and spare you the details ( I am chock full of cliches today!). I really need Advent now.

I am not sure where you stand on such things, or what has brought you to this blog, but for the record, this blog, began under a different name. Beneath the Surface: Breath of Faith. Prompted by God’s desire in me to share the lessons he was showing me as revealed to me…and also as one on a journey of faith, stumbling along on a path of grace. Abundant grace at that-who in seeking to do God’s will found a whole bunch of fellow traveler’s on the path, willing to join along. Who also often reached out to me in those early days of throwing bread upon the water, not expecting anything really…but just doing what I was told in the quietness of my heart. Trusting the unseen places since the seen places to share were not so open to my sharing…I found a place of grace, community, encouragement. I have no doubt God knew exactly what He was doing then, though I could not see clearly. I have that same sense now.

You are probably wondering what all this has to do with the 200 Day Journal journaling prompts and all that jazz (yup, cliche without apoplogy). I am sensing God redirecting my focus. I sense it in my heart’s desire, and soul’s weariness. I sense it in those around me as they struggle to make sense of what is happening in the world right now. I sense it among God’s people who seem confused, unclear and incredibly shortsighted. You might blame the pandemic, but I don’t agree.

The fact, is what rises to the surface during turbulent times is only that which was already present. There is nothing new under the sun. Seasons come and go. Humanity is not so different now as ever before…maybe what we need to remember (Oh, hello One Word 2020) is that God is not shaken in or by our circumstances. My heart longs to rest in the One who is the only unchangeable factor in a whim-following world.

The fact is as much as I was inspired to bring releief through my journaling prompts freely for those who had interest, I am now needing to redirect myself to focusing on the One who gives me inspiration freely, who is my inspiration and hope. For such a time as this. So, early Advent? Yes, please. Early Christmas focus? Yes. May all the trimmings that come with the season fill us with hope, and may we remember our true focus…the focus that brings change to the hearts of men, without wavering, which is always is faithful and true. Which will not fail to bring us through this election season, global pandemic, and extreme shortsightedness.

If you want more journaling support, I have written extensively about it and also have invited fellow writers from around the world to share – pop in the search bar at the bottom journal, Journaling with Jesus, or Random Journal Day and you will get a plethora of options. Also there is a series for Writing Seasons, and Journaling as a Lifestyle.

I have written also a number of series you can otherwise explore: Fitting in Fitness, or just put fitness in and a bunch of articles will come up. I have written a number of devotional style writings also, multiple interviews, and a series about Planning with Purpose. Put planning or planners into the search and a good number of articles will come up. The majority of my poetry is offline but some can still be found by putting in poetry.

I am preparing to take a Social Media break as much as possible. But will be writing and sharing a few blog posts…If you need help finding something, just give me a holler: dawn.paoletta@gmail.com

As always if you want to know more about my faith in Jesus…well I have also written about that here: I Am Redeemed: Faith and Testimony And here, My Testimony in Poem (#iamapoet) just put in testimony, redeemed or Jesus and more will come up. Redeemed was my One Word for 2015. I have written each year about my One Word (my past 6 years are listed in this post) and One Word journey.

Meanwhile, I wish you well, and pray you are able to maintain focus on what matters most as we close out this year and enter the next, if God so wills!