My Spiritual Journal

Tonight before kneeling in prayer, I recorded a spiritual experience in my journal. Was it one of those rare occasions when an experience was especially worthy of recording for posterity? No, for me this has been a nightly goal for the past 10 years.

With gratitude, my thoughts meandered back to a standards night when I had been asked to present one of the Young Women’s values. I had fussed over elaborate visual aids and clever handouts for over a week. In that moment of quiet before the rush of girls, I peeked through the screens separating my area from another sister’s presentation. It was peaceful and uncluttered in her section of the cultural hall. Only a framed picture of the Savior and an antique lace doily completed the setting. A recently returned sister missionary sat with folded arms in solitary prayer. I tiptoed back to my overcrowded space, quickly offering a second-thought prayer of my own.

While I don’t even remember the subject of my presentation, this young sister’s inspired message permanently changed my life. At one point during that evening I was able to hear her simple and direct message. “When did you have your last spiritual experience?” she asked the girls. She defined a spiritual experience as any incident that helps us feel the influence of the Holy Ghost or heightens our spiritual awareness and relationship with the Godhead. It was a profound question for me, as my preoccupation with running faster and laboring more than I had strength (see D&C 10:4) had been eclipsing my relationship with Heavenly Father.

“I believe Heavenly Father presents us with spiritual experiences more often than we realize,” she continued, “experiences that are freely offered if we are receptive to them and the spirit in which they are given. Recognizing this enlightenment can make our lives more Christ-centered on a moment-to-moment basis. I challenge you to identify these experiences and record them to strengthen the dark days that may confront you. You will have your own personal library of faith-promoting experiences to recall whenever your testimony needs bolstering.”

After that night, I asked Heavenly Father to help me better recognize His influence in my life. Reviewing the hours of each subsequent day, I marveled at spiritual experiences I might have missed had it not been for this inspired challenge: a beautiful teaching moment with a child, a rewarding fellowshipping effort with a less-active member, an inspired compliment sincerely given, a priesthood blessing, a family history connection discovered, an unforgettable family home evening, a new insight into a gospel concept.

By recording such experiences in my journal, whether it comes to me as a momentous wave or a small ripple, I have been able to attune myself to spiritual channels before prayertime, shaking off worldly cares in preparation for precious one-on-one time with my Father in Heaven. My relationship with the Holy Ghost has become more genuine through constantly watching and listening for frequent, subtle promptings. Each spiritual experience has increased my awareness of the Lord’s intercession in my daily life. Many situations I took for granted as pure coincidence, irony, or luck I now recognize as heavenly intervention. Through a 15-minute habit of effort, my spiritual eyes have been opened to the divine orchestrations of God.