I wrote my first blog post ever on January 16, 2018, and never published it until now.
Journaling, Dogs, and Why I’m Blogging About Both
For as long as I can remember, two things have been constants in my life: journaling and dogs. I’ve filled countless notebooks with my thoughts, feelings, heartaches, sermon notes, and, yes, plenty of dog-related musings. Journaling is my mental spring cleaning, a way to dump my brain’s clutter and make room for more of life’s chaos. From my first gig as a kennel assistant at Pet Health Center (where I learned that dog poop and minimum wage are a humbling combo) to the gut-wrenching loss of a furry friend, my journals have been a safe space for it all.
When I became a Christian at 19, my journaling took on a new dimension. Suddenly, I was scribbling prayer requests, answered prayers (with dates, because I’m organized like that), and lessons learned during military deployments. Later, as I worked in healthcare ministry, my journals became a lifeline for processing compassion fatigue, because caring for others can leave you emotionally running on fumes. Through stacks of spiral-bound notebooks, I’ve documented my spiritual journey, my triumphs, and my “why is life so hard?” moments.
So, why start a blog? Great question, imaginary reader! If the Apostle Paul's scribe could have used his era’s version of a laptop, parchment, and a quill to share his wisdom, then I figure I can use a keyboard to do the same. Blogging is my modern-day parchment, a way to share what matters to me with anyone curious enough to read it. Sure, putting my personal thoughts, devotions, and dog-obsessed memoirs out there feels like standing in front of a crowd in my pajamas, a bit vulnerable, risky, and a terrifying. But the rewards? Oh, they’re worth it.
Why not share my experiences if it means cathartic healing for me and maybe, just maybe, inspiring someone else? If one person feels uplifted, starts journaling, or looks at their dog and thinks, “You’re not just a couch destroyer, you’re a soulmate,” then I’ve already won. Plus, let’s be real, writing about my love for dogs and the Lord is way more fun than keeping it locked in a notebook under my bed.
So, grab a coffee (or a dog treat for your dog), and let’s start this blogging adventure together. Who’s with me?
