If you’re ready to start your own travel journal, buckle up sister!
I’ve kept many types of journals over the years — prayer, gratitude, health, etc. — but when I cracked open my first “Travel Journal” in January, life changed.
I first read about a travel journal in Allen Arnold’s The Story of With, a book mentioned in a past post, Three Books I’m Reading This Winter.
It reads:
“Those brave enough to carry a travel journal for their adventures with God reveal hearts of expectancy. There is such freedom when you live in this posture of expectancy while letting go of all your expectations. There’s no demand on how the Story of your life will go. Relinquish the script you’ve been holding so tight and replace it with an expectancy for all God desires. Not just for you but that He wants to do with you. The journal reminds you of the adventure you are on with God.”
What could happen if I created a designated spot to record so-called “random” ideas and sparks of God’s truths?
Well, let me tell you.
Your spiritual eyes do more than see. They quicken with insight and wonder.
It’s why my little leather journal stays with my Bible at all times. Observations leap from the paper-thin page onto the cream-colored thicker ones. Most times, I jot them down immediately. Later, I’ll ask God to show me how or where they could be applied. Some get straight to work, while others take their own sweet time.
Your spiritual ears⏤those that God transforms from hearing to listening⏤awaken.
For instance, while watching a movie several weeks ago, the father of the main character, a violinist, noted a specific issue in her playing. She may have fallen for the idea that she was simply reading from a script but in reality, God answered a question I’d jotted down weeks ago.
Becoming intentional is a simple gesture of faith — engaging this belief that the Spirit of Truth peels back the obvious to reveal a deeper reality if we’re willing to show up.
In a greater sense, I think of Mary visiting Jesus’ tomb that early morning. She came with spices expecting the obvious — a body in the beginning stages of decay. But what she found was a large stone rolled away, an empty tomb, and two men in dazzling white clothes asking why do you seek the living One among the dead? She showed up because of her love for Jesus and was blessed by experiencing a glorious new reality.
This same living One lives in us, with us, and us with Him. Are you ready to join the adventure?
Tips for Creating Your Travel Journal
- Pick a journal without lines. Being a visual person, I sometimes draw out an idea that’s forming and I have a feeling I’m not alone, so avoiding lines is a plus. Also, no boundaries on a page remind me that all things are possible with God.
- Keep a designated pen nearby. So far, I’ve used only my go-to Pilot Precise V-5 in black for the entire journal, but whatever you choose, keep it handy because as the Chinese Proverb reminds us the faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.
Share a favorite place to travel and consider yourself entered into the random giveaway for this genuine leather journal!
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Image by Dirk Vetter from Pixabay
When I saw the title, I first thought, “well, I don’t travel except to the store and back, but I’ll read on and see what Cathy has to say.”
I love this idea! A travel journal with God.
Thanks, as always, for sharing!! 🙂
I’m so glad you did! Thank you, Connie. 🙂
What a great idea ma’am. I’ve tried Post It notes (they got five deep along the edges of my shelves, then six notebooks later, I switched to an Excel-based. I call mine my “Idealog.” What a blessing it is to go back and remind myself of how blessed I am when I listen to God.
I like Excel too, J.D.! For me, I knew by the time I pulled out my laptop to jot my idea down it would be gone. Ha!! Thanks for stopping by. Praying the healing continues.
This is a great theme for a journal! Sometimes I buy lined journals, but I make blank spaces by taping/pasting in squares of plain paper. My favorite pens are the thin Sharpie “no bleed” in black or blue.
Yes, those are great, Robin! I only use thin pens. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today.
I love this idea! I’ve tried a couple of times to start a journal, but I always fizzled out when I felt like it wasn’t very coherent. Maybe it doesn’t have to be.
Favorite place to travel – we haven’t traveled much, but the place I’ve been that I liked the most was the Netherlands. I’d love to go back someday.
You’re exactly right! It doesn’t have to be. I’ve jotted down many things that made no sense at the time but evolved into some of God’s sweetest gifts. Blessings, friend!
Love this. I have a lined journal filled with post it notes, index cards, and random things taped in. It is one of my greatest treasures. My favorite place I have traveled is Ireland for my honeymoon. It was amazing and my company was pretty perfect.
Ireland! I imagine that was pretty perfect. 🙂 I love that you keep all your treasures in one small but significant spot. Thanks for sharing, Sara.
On my goodness!!!! I received my first email of your posts today. What was it about? Just what I was looking for. I am not your normal journaler. I don’t have a lot to say about my life because it is pretty routine. BUT this Travel Journal idea is just the ticket. When I study the Bible, I write a lot of things down about what I am reading but the idea of having a place to write down what he is say, things I have questions about as I go through my day, etc. is fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing this. I’m soooo excited.
Hi, Deb! I’m thankful God met you here and thank you for becoming a part of the “tiny” community. What a blessing! I think you’re going to love a Travel Journal. Keep me posted!
Love this idea. Shared, tweeted and pinned.
Thanks so much, Jeanne! I appreciate it. 🙂 Blessings!!
I forgot my favorite place to travel is The New England states in the fall.
What a marvelous idea. Growing my relationship with God is indeed a travel adventure.Thanks, Cathy.
Now . . . where’s that notebook? 😉
Ha! Hopefully it’s still in stock at Amazon. 🙂 Good luck, Sandra. Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Blessings, friend.
Another good one Cathy! I love to travel. I have used a travel journal on all my international trips. Our life is a journey. There are both seen, and unseen wonders around us. Thank God for the journey!
Yes, Butch! Thank You, Lord. There’s no greater adventure than ours with God. Thank you for stopping by!
I’m a journal addict. Have tried different methids. I might give your idea a try. Thanks for stimulating the brain.
I give the credit to Allen Arnold — and I love the idea, too, Elaine. I’ve never enjoyed a journal so much. It’s imperfect but powerful. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂 Blessings!
Good evening, Cathy, what an awe-inspiring topic! I admit I am not faith-full every day at my journal, but YES to traveling with one. Yes, Lord, I expect You to show up. I appreciate your example of Mary at the tomb. God has given me a drama “starring” our dear sister Mary Magdalene. And that quote from Allen Arnold. Thank you for sharing that. May God bless you on His next adventure chosen for you dear Cathy. Love in Christ, Julie
Thank you, Julie. That’s the beauty of this journal – it’s not meant to be written in every day (unless the Lord has other ideas!) I pray God’s blessings on the adventures He has chosen for you too, friend. Blessings!
I love this idea, Cathy!
Thank you, Tammy! I pray you’re staying well. Blessings…
My favorite spot to travel to is the Big Island of Hawaii. There are three beaches there that I just live sitting and staring at the waves. The magnitude of those waves captures my always spinning mind and causes it to stop. I stare, watching what God created. Each wave rolls in with its own personality. I sit for hours in silent gratitude.
What a blessing to be able to say that Hawaii is one of your favorite places to travel! I love the picture you paint by the waves, Tammy.
Oh, Cathy, what a great, fun post. I never considered my faith journal as a travel journal. I need to open myself up to writing tidbits and sharing moments; not relegating the writing to “that perfect moment” (because it never comes, am I right?).
I’m missing California these days. I would love to go back to So Cal and see so many wonderful places: The Mission Inn in Riverside, Disneyland, Big Bear in the mountains, Newport Beach, the Pier, Route 66, and my old writing community.
That sounds like a sweet journey, Molly Jo. And I couldn’t agree more — “that perfect moment” rarely happens. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love to travel anywhere! Life with God is always an adventure, I say! I’d like to travel Europe by train, I think that would be so much fun!
Yes!! I think traveling by train would be fun. I hope you’ll be traveling to NC for another Blue Ridge soon. 🙂
What a great idea! I love the traveling with God type of journal idea…would be such a nice place to return to years later and watch the pattern of where He led.
Hi Mariel! That’s a great point and so true. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing. 🙂
I love to go to New England and travel the backroads visiting little towns along the way. I enjoy journaling and have tried different journals and different methods. This sounds like something I could stick with.
That’s something we’re wanting to do, Becky. Maybe rent an RV, if there are any left in stock. Ha! I think you’ll enjoy this new journaling adventure. 🙂 Blessings!
Love the idea of a Travel Journal! My first thoughts were a “travel” journal, but the broader application of the idea of Travel with God is much better! And no lines…I do enjoy a good sketch and space to add other bits and pieces. Hmmm. Thanks for sharing your journal! Blessings!
Hi Angie! I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the blank pages until this journal. I have a feeling you will too with all that creativity stirring inside. 🙂
Sister, what a sweet way to travel. I recall listening to an interview with Allen Arnold about his book; wow. I can’t think of better traveling buddies than the ones in the Creative Pauses Community. May the Lord lead us into great destinations, sweet spots, and a lifelong adventure in Him.
Yes and amen, Charla! I can’t imagine better traveling buddies either. So thankful to be on this journey with you, friend.
Cathy, one of my “I can’t help myself…I gotta have it,” is a journal. We travel with Jesus with each breath. I’ve kept a journal since 1975. I’m thankful for the privilege to travel with you.
I’m the privileged one, Jan. Thank YOU for traveling with me, and especially Jesus. Your joy is proof you are well-traveled. 🙂 Blessings!
Hi Cathy,
This idea speaks to me! Since I’m at another crossroads in my life, it’s time to tune into my quiet time with God and ask “what’s next?” I have a fresh off the presses graduate degree and a new love. My last position professionally has ended and I’m ready to start my new chapter! Exciting things are in store….
Definitely sharing this one on my writer fan page!
Blessings,
Laurie
Congrats on the two “new” delights and I’ll be praying for your next chapter, Laurie! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for re-visiting to share your favorite place, Deb! I’d love to travel there during the fall one day in the future. 🙂