Journal Gently: Spiritual Formation for Christian Women

It's almost a If You Give a Mouse a Cookie type story. You know the one? If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to want a glass of milk. If you give him a glass of milk, he'll probably ask you for a straw." And so on.

Well, if you vacuum while the dog's sleeping, then you're going to wake him up.

If you wake him up, he's going to need to go outside.

If he goes outside, he might get all muddy from digging in the dirt.

If he gets all muddy, he's going to need a bath.

If you give the dog a bath, you're going to get all wet.

If you get all wet, you'll need to change your clothes.

And on and on it can go.

There are a lot of responsibilities we juggle as women, and while maybe a bit silly, I think my example shows that we can have some guidelines to keep us focused on what matters most and taking advantage of opportunities that come our way.

Let me share a few more examples of how we might prioritize our tasks and still finish what needs to get done by keeping things in their proper order.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Episode 32: Using Pockets of Time in Your Schedule to Encourage Others

· Episode 48: The Power of Pre-Deciding in Difficult Seasons

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

Music by DappyTKeys

"I don't want to face that again. It feels like too much."

Many of my clients have experienced tremendous grief or trauma in their lives, and as we seek God together through our writing back and forth, there is often a pressure they are feeling—whether from themselves or family members or friends—to use journaling to write about their deepest wounds.

And friend, you already know I believe in the power of journaling. It is a great practice that can help us process difficult experiences and emotions and be more aware of how God is moving in our lives.

And yet… we do have to use some wisdom in what we write about. We have to pay attention to how our journaling is impacting us.

Because there are times when you might fear that journaling about a specific experience will be too much, that it will bring back memories or feelings that you have no desire to re-live. What do you do in that situation?

Today, I want to teach you about the Flip-Out Rule and what it means for both your journaling practice and your journey of healing. I think it will be a great guideline as you discern what you should—and should not—write about. Are you ready?

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Journal Gently Mini Workshop: http://lovedoesthat.org/jgworkshop

· John 16:12-13 (NLT): "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth."

· Bonus Episode 15: I Will Not Be Afraid

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

Music by DappyTKeys

When I say the word journal, the image that might very well pop into your mind is that of a woman sitting with a notebook at a quiet desk, writing for 20 or 30 minutes about her deepest thoughts and fears.

Or maybe you think back to your teenage self, when you recorded the day's events and poured out your heart on paper.

Or your grandmother, keeping a diary of the prices of eggs and what birthday cards she sent out.

The truth is, journaling takes a lot of different forms, and I believe it's important enough for everyone to practice it in some way.

So today, I'm going to give you a crash course in journaling—including what it is, why it's important, and some of the benefits of journaling—along with some things to consider as you create your own journaling routine. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Lightworks Lenten Retreat: http://lovedoesthat.org/lightworks

· Episode 137: 3 Easy Ways to Journal When You Don't Know What to Write About

· Episode 118: Tips for Journaling In Front of Others

· Episode 54: 4 Simple Ways to Start (or Keep) Journaling

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

Music by DappyTKeys

Diligent.

Rooted.

Ask.

Unhurried.

Those are some of the words I've held through the past four years as a way to set an intention for the year, a focus or theme to keep me moving in a particular direction.

Diligent and rooted were for those first years of business, doing what I needed to do to build a strong foundation and get things started right, in a way that was honoring to God. Ask represented not just a mindset of curiosity—ask lots of questions—but also a challenge to stretch out of my comfort zone and extend what seemed to be impossible invitations to others. And unhurried demonstrated what I hope to be our lifestyle of homeschooling and being together as a family and being fully present.

I could say that I chose the words, or it might be more accurate to say the words chose me, or that God invited me to step into that word as a way to draw closer to Him.

There is no doubt that having a word for the year can provide direction, focus, vision, even hope. It can offer encouragement when life feels hard, and it can help you make decisions based on your priorities and season of life.

But once you have your word, what do you do? How can you be intentional to hold it close throughout the entire year and not just let it fall by the wayside?

Today, it is my hope to offer you some ways to hold your word of the year close all year long. To do so, I'll share my word for 2024 and specific ways I am intentional with keeping that word in front of me. As you listen, see what might work well for you and put that into practice here as we begin the new year—and even later on, if you happen to be listening to this months later.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Book | One Word Journal, by Jon Gordon and Dan Britton

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

Music by DappyTKeys

One of the things my clients often ask about is how to journal while they are on vacation, or if family is staying over, or even now, over the holiday season, when schedules and routines are different than the norm.

And I think that is such a great question.

Something that has really helped me—and them—is creating two different journaling routines. One is the normal, perhaps longer journaling session, and the other is a shorter, more focused session. Both help us get our thoughts and feelings down on paper, but we're structuring them in a way that fits our season.

Today, I want to help you create both a long journaling routine and a short one, so that you remain consistent in your journaling practice and stay close to God, even when life looks a little different.

Kari

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book:

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Episode 138: Holy Hush or Holiday Hustle: Which Will You Choose?

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys

"Start noticing what you enjoy." That was my journal entry for September 10, 2023. And to be honest, it wasn't even handwritten in a journal. It was on the Notes app on my phone. I had been reading an article online by a mixed media/abstract artist, and her words gave me pause. What do I enjoy?

Today's conversation is short and sweet, but it's also a powerful invitation to notice how God is moving in your life. I can't wait to share this idea with you.

Kari

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book:

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Episode 137: 3 Easy Ways to Journal When You Don't Know What to Write About

· Episode 131: Healing in Layers: What Art Taught Me About Grief

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys

How are you getting ready for the mystery of Christmas?

That is a question I learned to hold when I served as a children's ministries director. Our curriculum described Advent as the time to get ready for the mystery of Christmas, and Lent as the time to get ready for the mystery of Easter.

A mystery, indeed. For why would God become flesh? Why would He choose to live among His people? How did it all happen? It truly is a wondrous season, full of curiosity, joy, and delight.

And that's why I want to help you to get ready, to prepare your heart for the mystery of Christmas.

To do that, we're going to look at three guided journals and devotionals for the Advent season. Each one invites you to slow down and enter into this special time of year more intentionally, preparing your heart to worship and commune with God.

Kari

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book:

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Episode 138: Holy Hush or Holiday Hustle: Which Will You Choose?

· Adore: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, by Fr. John Burns

· Be Still & Know: Seeking Still Moments in God's Presence This Advent Season, by Celia A. Miller

· When Your Silence Night Feels Empty: An Advent Resource, by Kari A. Bartkus

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys

There are times when people come to us and end up interrupting something we were already doing.

Like when our kids need help filling up their water bottles.

Or when a dear friend is having an especially tough day and just needs to be with someone.

Or when a family member calls and needs to figure out how to handle a situation they're in.

How would you respond in these situations?

I think there are a lot of times I used to resent being interrupted. It distracted me from getting things done or it got in the way of my own quiet time. But thankfully, God has been changing my heart in that.

And that's why today, I want to talk about offering the gift of your presence, especially over the holiday season. And specifically, doing this by being interruptible.

We'll talk about what being interruptible means, three signs that indicate if you are interruptible or not, and some of the challenges of being fully present.

Kari

>> Grab your copy of my Courageous Care book:

http://lovedoesthat.org/care

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Jeff Goins article: The Key to Success: Being Interruptible

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys

I have an announcement for you: I wrote a book. An actual book that you will be able to buy in paperback form that I plan to launch this book later this month, right as we're going into the holiday season.

Because holidays can be hard, and I know you. You want to find ways to serve and care for those who are struggling this holiday season. And this book will help you do just that.

It's called Courageous Care: Helping Others Even When You're Afraid. Throughout the book, I teach my C.A.R.E. framework for discerning how to support loved ones who are struggling, with C.A.R.E. being an acronym for each part.

We explore those obstacles that often get in the way of taking the first step, we discover how God has divinely designed each one of us with specific skills and personality traits to care for others, we practice listening for God's guidance in each situation, and we end by looking specifically at our friend and what she needs.

One of my early readers said this about it: "The C.A.R.E. concept is such a creative and impactful way to invite us to be more intentional about reaching out to the hurting people in our lives. I, myself, felt very convicted and encouraged as I read through it."

And so today, I wanted to share with you a chapter from my book, one that focuses on recognizing those sacred nudges from God to reach out. You know the ones. That thought inside you to send a card, to stop and say hi, to bring over some groceries.

Be sure to stay around until the end of today's episode to find out how you can join the launch team and share the book with those looking for this kind of practical support and training.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Pen Your Way to Peace Holiday Workshop: http://lovedoesthat.org/holidayworkshop

· Imagine Devotional: http://lovedoesthat.org/imagine

· Episode 5: Discerning How to Help a Grieving Friend

· Episode 43: When Helping Hurts: Establishing Boundaries When Caring for Others with Counselor Nicole Fryling

· Episode 81: Encouraging and Caring for Others as an Introvert

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys

It is now November, and that simple change in month means that so many of us are starting to think about the holidays—planning and buying gifts and decorating.

But for some of us, holidays also bring along a bit of sadness or stress. Holidays can be hard for numerous reasons.

It could be that a loved one has passed during the year, and so it's our first time celebrating without them. It could be that we are unable to gather with our family or friends, and being alone doesn't really feel like much of a reason to celebrate.

But the question is, is it even possible to celebrate and give thanks when you are grieving? I believe you can. And that's why I want to offer you three truths today that I want you to remember as we head into this holiday season.

Kari

RELATED EPISODES + RESOURCES:

· Pen Your Way to Peace Holiday Workshop on November 9: http://lovedoesthat.org/holidayworkshop

· Episode 95: Blue Christmas Mini Service: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Suffering and Loss

· Episode 42: Offering a Blue Christmas Service to Honor the Loss and Cling to the Hope

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>> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 ways to encounter God on the pages of your journal

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop

>> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God

http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently

>> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain

http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

Music by DappyTKeys