By Lucinda Secrest McDowell, @LucindaSMcDowel

As Christmas unfolds, perhaps it’s time for some pondering. You know, like Mary did after Jesus had been born and visited. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2.19

Because sometimes it’s what we don’t share, that’s most precious.

Those moments and memories we keep to ourselves, taking out occasionally and reflecting on the glory of it all. Those times we don’t even try to capture in a picture because the true beauty or meaning simply cannot be contained in the two dimensional.

But we can treasure them privately. Pondering.

After all that had happened in Bethlehem, Mary chose to keep her impressions, her experiences and her joy quite close. If she had lived in the twenty-first century, I doubt she would have tweeted or posted on social media. The whole miraculous glory of it all was too intimate.

In an age where many of us simply ‘overshare,’ perhaps we writers and speakers can learn about the importance of pondering. Taking time and place to think, reflect, observe, remember and process all that has happened in our life. The events, the conversations, the opportunities, the disappointments, the bad choices and untraveled roads. All are important in the living of our unique story.

Will you take time to search out meaning in your moments?

As the Christmas season draws to a close and New Year approaches now is a perfect opportunity to take up the discipline of ‘spiritual journaling.’ This is defined as “to be alert to my life through writing and reflecting on God’s presence and activity in, around and through me.”

I sometimes call this “pondering with a pen.”

Schedule a time and place where you can enjoy both solitude and silence. Pray and ask God to help you ponder the past year and look ahead. Here are questions to help you get started.

1. What is my one professional (writing/speaking) prayer for this year that seems impossible ______________, knowing that “nothing is impossible with God?”
2. What is one thing I could do to improve the quality of my relationships this year ________?
3. What is one area in my life needs the most change _____ and what will I do about it?
4. What is one thing I could do to enrich my spiritual legacy to my children and grands ______?
5. What is an important financial goal this year ______ and how will I meet it?
6. How will I care for my soul this year _______?

Conclude your time by singing this or another favorite carol: “How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is given; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.” (hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Phillips Brooks, 1867)

Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is passionate about embracing life — both through deep soul care from drawing closer to God, as well as living courageously in order to touch a needy world. A storyteller who engages both heart and mind, she delights in weaving grace and mercy into ordinary life situations. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, she is the author of 13 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her books include the award-winning, Dwelling Places (2017 Christian Retailing Best Award for Devotional) , Ordinary Graces, Live These Words, Refresh! and Role of a Lifetime. A member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), Lucinda received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs monthly for The Write Conversation. Whether co-directing “reNEW ~ retreat for New England Writing,” pouring into young moms, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. Lucinda’s favorites include tea parties, good books, laughing friends, ancient prayers, country music, cozy quilts, musical theatre, and especially her family scattered around the world doing amazing things. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, she writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at http://www.encouragingwords.net/