How to Outsmart a Fading Memory While Growing Our Spirituality

So Much Buzz, So Much Wisdom

It's clear that many people enjoy discussing their thoughts on God and His demonstration of goodness—we see it in the books, the podcasts, and the ministry leaders we follow.

But for me, the most profound moments happen when I turn down the volume to capture grace in written form, helping me to remember the whispers I might otherwise forget.

I, too, take pleasure in doing that in my capacity by way of journaling, and now branching it out to faith blogging here. Though I share the same sentiment as the others about sharing God, I want to clarify that I do not consider myself some person He favors over others.

It is important to me that I present my sharing in a way that does not imply I am often the sole recipient of His everyday pampering, for as we all know, He extends His loving glances without fail to all who seek to experience Him in ways remarkably divine.

From the Screen to the Heart

Quite contrary to that common understanding, a Rabbi who was a guest on a TV program captivated the audience with a story he shared about God telling him that despite the belief that God treats all of His children equally, God said to him that he was His favorite child.

“Huh? 

Well, I can’t blame you, for even the audience looked at each other as if wondering the others heard it, too. But hold your horses; there's more to it; let’s not jump to conclusions just yet.

He continued that God is infinite and omnipresent, so He is in everyone, meaning God can have infinite favorite children.

My, imagine the smiles on everyone, and the look on faces that they jumped into conclusions way too soon. Well, what he claimed was valid. This is why it's no surprise that we can feel the presence of God.

You and I are all His favorites, manifested in many ways, such as a line or dialogue in a TV show we're watching, something we heard on the radio, a catchy line in something we're reading, a surprise at work, a guiding hand of a loved one, or a nice gesture from a stranger.

These and in many other ways God allows us to experience His presence.

Turning Down the Volume

Turning down the volume of the world helps me process the harder moments, too. It’s in the quiet of my journal that I can choose compassion when I’m misunderstood, rather than letting the "noise" of a situation dictate my heart.

In my experience, when I notice anything supernatural because only God can pull it off, I am often moved to share the moments. Like having the urge to talk about it comes to me instantly, like a switch, that I can't shrug it off. And then words fill my head because my heart is overjoyed.

I have been journaling since elementary school, although not faith-related. Because money was scarce growing up. I used scrap white bond papers, folded them crosswise, and stapled them on one side to make my journal.

Unfortunately, there came a point where there were no more white bond papers to write on, so I had to quit journaling.

Now that buying a journal is within reach, I resumed writing down my thoughts and moments when I felt a little special in God's loving gaze. Our older son, in fact, gifted me a devotional journal at Christmastime.

It was designed that half of the page is a Bible reference expounding on a verse, and the bottom half is for writing down insights from it. The following Christmas, he got me a mini journal perfect for travel.

For sure, one thing about me that my family knows is my deep interest in journaling.

I have mentioned this habit in some of my live and recorded videos on my Facebook page. In my opinion, cultivating this habit is valuable because our memory can fail us as we age.

Additionally, as we get busier with each passing day, recollecting important moments can become challenging, especially when dealing with situations that require a lot of time and attention.

Painting with Words

While I have learned so much from the global conversation—the books, the podcasts, and the leaders I admire—I realized that I needed a space to process it all for myself. I didn't want these insights to just pass through me; I wanted them to take root.

Watching that Lenten program reminded me that faith isn't just about absorbing information; it’s about transformation. It gave me permission to lean into that space where it’s okay to ask God the deep questions.

For me, the journal is where I say, "God, I want to know You more deeply—help me understand."

That is where this blog comes in. It allows the creative juices to flow—sentiments that would otherwise just sit tight in my head.

This blog is my way of making sure those colors don't fade. I’ve learned that by capturing grace in written form, we create a way to remember His faithfulness long after the moment has passed.

I’ve always believed that our reflections should be analogous to a beautiful tapestry with captivating yet subtle color hues. It’s not just about recording events; it’s about weaving together the grace we find in the everyday.

This blog is my way of making sure those colors don't fade.

As there can be times when bitterness takes space in our heart, and in our mind —or trying times that it’s hard to focus? For this reason, I find it essential to remind ourselves of the moments when joy came into our lives, such as those laced with heavenly touch.

It's crucial to recall the happy moments in our lives—such as a warm embrace and a comforting pat on the back to remind us that God is aware of what is happening in our lives and that nothing surprises Him because He is eternal and in control.

That's when journaling comes into the picture.

In my personal experience, although the entries in my journal were not from long ago, I have already completely forgotten some of them. Not that they were petty and too insignificant to stay in my memory but that is the sad reality of life:

Our minds can only hold so many things. Life goes on, and new experiences are created along the way.

I am grateful that I took the time on many occasions to write in detail about specific moments in my life. It allowed me to revisit those moments and remember them vividly, including any emotions and reactions because I had forgotten many of them.

Thanks to my journal, thumbing through the pages, I was surprised that events I had forgotten entirely about returned to me. Reading through some of the pages made me smile.

I’d love to hear from you: When you’re watching or listening to something that stirs your soul, how do you make sure those insights 'sit tight' in your life? Do you journal, or do you have another way of capturing the colors?

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for reading! If the stoies speak to your heart, I’d love to connect with you more personally. I share behind-the-scenes moments on Facebook.

Many blessings, Emilie

A Note from my Heart

I’m Emilie, a seeker of faith who finds God in the quiet pews and the divine surprises of everyday life. I write these reflections to invite you into a slower, more soulful way of seeing the world.