Who isn’t touched by looking back over journal entries—whether it is your child’s journal, your own, or the journal of someone you love?

Writing comes easy to my daughter Sophia. Whenever she has an idea or something to say, I am sure to find a note next to me. I love to sit in her room and read through the thoughts she’s put down on paper throughout the years. How she’s grown up!

At first they were scribbled pictures, doodles, and alphabet letters. Then they grew to simple words, and then small sentences. Now she writes poems, songs, and essays. Whatever size her writings are, they still bless my heart.

Investing God’s Word into our hearts and the hearts of those around us will never go void. It’s an eternal investment, sure to return good to whoever hears it. So fill your jar with verses and write away. Even if your child is too young to write, have them color along as you tell a Bible story. Afterwards, ask them to tell you what they drew and record it on the back of their paper for them to look back on later.

Encourage your family to write, express, and develop their thoughts on paper! However big or small, everyone will be blessed in journaling.

Supplies:

  • Bible
  • Tin can (cleaned)
  • Strip of paper to fit your can
  • Ribbon (thin)
  • Hot glue gun
  • Mod Podge
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • 1 sheet of paper for verses

Directions:

  1. Pick a can to make into your devotional jar. I used a slender panko container. Clean it out and remove the outer paper and glue.
  2. Next, choose a decorative wrapping paper for the outside. Wrap the can and carefully cut your paper to fit the outside.
  3. Grab your ribbon and wrap it around the bottom of the can. Cut it to fit.
  4. Hot glue your paper around the can.
  5. With your brush, apply one layer of Mod Podge over the paper. This seals it with a nice shine and gives it more durability, as it’s handled frequently.
  6. Hot glue your ribbon onto the paper around the base. Trim any excess ribbon.
  7. Lastly, grab your Bible and choose verses that inspire! I love Proverbs and Psalms for journaling. Type up a good 40–50 verses in regular font.
  8. Print your verses and cut them into small strips. Fold each strip and fill your jar until it “runneth over” with God’s Word.

Each day (or whenever you feel like adding an entry to your journal) just pull a verse from the jar for inspiration, ask the Spirit to speak to you, and write down your thoughts and prayers.

Happy journaling!