Isaiah 30:8

Note it in a book

Keeping a journal

(for children):--

I. THE JOURNAL YOU MAY KEEP. You may spend your pocket money in a book, pen and ink, and set up a journal. If so--

1. Its nature.

(1) Not about self. Do not write much about yourself, your own thoughts and feelings. Let there be but few capital I’s.

(2) Not a dreary, lifeless chronicle. If you can do no better than the following, day after day, do not keep a journal at all: “Got on all right through the day, went for a walk at night, came home and went to bed at nine,” which was the constant entry in the diary of a boy I know.

(3) But a record of facts and events. Do as did Doyle and Dickens when lads--record in a journal fresh places seen and persons men--the substance of new books read, things heard new to you, sights and scenes in town and country.

2. Its use.

(1) It assists observation and expression. Two most important things to you. Develops faculties of attention, memory, reproduction. Prepares you for science, poetry, writing, and speech.

(2) It is helpful in afterlife. Not only from above considerations, but also because it will awaken tender and pleasant memories, evoke gratitude to God, and keep you in touch with boys when a man.

II. THE JOURNAL YOU MUST KEEP.

1. For yourself. Your brain is a self-acting journal. In its cell lies hidden, all unknown to you, a register of all your past deeds, words, and thoughts. Sometimes the door of recollection flies open, and you see this record of the past. The record is written in invisible ink, but the fire of memory brings it out. And if sometimes now, how much more at the last!

2. And partly for others. Every day you also write something down in the brain--journals of others, of parents, brothers and sisters, playfellows, teachers. The words and deeds which they hear and see. Be careful to write down for them good and pleasant things--things sweet and helpful.

III. THE JOURNAL GOD KEEPS.

1. Instance in the text. Prophet to write that Jews were “lying children--children that will not hear the Word of the Lord” (Isaiah 30:9), and to write it “that it may be for the time to come, forever and ever” (Isaiah 30:8). A terrible entry in God’s journal. May no such entry be written concerning us!

2. God’s journal complete. He makes no omissions. He puts all in, good and bad. We make selections to our own advantage. We may deceive ourselves--we may hide much from our friends, but not from Him. “Thou God seest me”; and when at the judgment “God’s books are opened,” His will be a check diary to supply all our omissions. Therefore, let us wisely number our days, and see that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (S. E. Keeble.)