Heather K. Duff: 50 Fresh Starts Journal
Between family responsibilities, work, and everything else life throws at us, it’s a challenge to find meaningful connection. I don’t know about you, but my task list should be named Godzilla. It’s a monster, and most days it keeps me on the run. It can seem counterintuitive—to pause in the face of overwhelming busyness—but I’ve run myself ragged, running on fumes, pedal to the metal. Ticking boxes, annihilating tasks. Until I’m empty.
Life isn’t always so hectic, but most of us do encounter busy seasons from time to time. It’s especially important to start the day with the right focus, putting God first, seeking Him early and often. I’ve had the best intentions about this, but no matter how much I commit to spending time with God in prayer and in His word, my intentions only carry me so far. Without action, intentions are only wishes, and wishes don’t change a thing.
Heather K. Duff
It was out of this tension that I began writing short devotionals: one verse, one thought, and a one-sentence prayer. I called these 1-1-1 devotionals. These short, simple writings were designed to help you and me begin each day with prayer and Scripture. I compiled them into an ebook and published them on Amazon a couple years ago. But at the end of 2019, God inspired me to expand this ebook into a daily devotional journal where the reader could record thoughts, prayers, or insights. I included lots of white space for doodles, if you’re drawn that way. 😉 And I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just like to write outside the lines. Do you? Then you’ll love this journal. As a special treat, a handful of random pages are decorated lightly with floral designs, a great place to try out those colored pencils you stashed in top left drawer of your desk.
Each devotional takes less than a minute to read, though they aren’t meant to be rushed. These “fresh starts” will lead you to greater intimacy with God. As Psalm 34:8 says, “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Adding the journaling component to the devotionals helps the reader to not only “taste” the goodness of the Lord, but also to savor.
With 50 Fresh Starts Journal, I created the kind of journal I would enjoy, but I did it with you in mind. This is an invitation to you. I have put my heart on these pages, and I hope you will too.
Author Bio:
Heather works as a freelance web designer in Louisiana when she isn’t writing. Her first mystery novel, The Wrong, is available on Amazon and she is currently working on her second novel. She enjoys teaching through the Bible and sharing her passion for the word of God. You can find her podcast, Simple Truth Big Change, at heatherkduff.com.
