Lessons For Loving God

Chart journaling is a customizable analog system for organizing your life using a blank notebook and a pen. It's flexible, promotes mindfulness, and can track habits, goals, and reflections. For 2026, start fresh by dedicating a notebook to monthly logs and daily entries.
Setting Up a Bullet Journal for 2026

• Index and Key: Begin with a key page explaining your symbols to keep everything navigable.
• Future Log: A yearly overview for 2026—divide into months to log major events, goals, or habits
• Monthly Spreads: For each month, create a 31-day tracker, gratitude log, and prayer journal. 
• Weekly/Daily Pages: Use migration (reviewing unfinished tasks) to carry over items to the next month.

1. Incorporating a 31-Day Tracker
A habit tracker is a grid (31 columns for days, rows for habits) to visually monitor progress—mark completed days with colors or symbols for motivation. Tailor it to your goals or habits. 

• Daily Highlight: Note one positive moment or achievement per day
• Weight: Track daily weigh-ins.
• Sleep: Log hours slept; aim for 7-9; color-code quality (e.g., green for restful).
• Stretches: Mark completion of daily stretching routines.
• Bible Chapters: Record chapters read; include a reflection space for insights.
• Language Study: Track sessions (e.g., Duolingo streaks); note vocabulary learned.
• Workout: Log type (e.g., cardio, strength) and duration; track consistency.
• Steps Taken: Enter daily step count from a pedometer/app; set a goal like 7,000.
• Study: Time spent on learning (e.g., courses, books); categorize by topic.

2. 31-Day Gratitude Log
Dedicate a two-page spread (or more) for each month's gratitude log to allow space for writing. A simple layout: Number days 1–31 vertically or in a grid, with lines or boxes next to each for entries. Aim for 1–3 specific things per day to build the habit without overwhelm—focusing on details makes it more impactful than generic statements.

• Health & Wellness: Good sleep despite a busy day; completing stretches without pain; hitting step goal; stable weight progress; energizing workout.
• Personal Growth: Chapters read in the Bible that resonated; new language phrases mastered; productive study session breakthrough.
• Daily Positives: A delicious meal; sunny weather for a walk; kind interaction with a colleague; quiet moment of peace.
• Relationships: Supportive conversation with staff/family; laughter shared; help received unexpectedly.
• Small Joys: Favorite coffee; beautiful sunrise; finishing a task early.

Starter questions: ”One person I'm grateful for," "One thing my body did well," "One learning moment." Review at month-end for patterns. 

3. Prayer Journal Setup
Create a dedicated prayer section for ongoing use, using 3 or so categories

1. Family/Friends/Personal Needs – For individual and close-circle requests.
2. Church Needs – For congregation, leadership, and community.
3. Missionaries  – For global outreach, specific workers, or organizations.

Use bullet points or numbered lines in each column. Add a date at the top of each spread, a small "Answered" checkbox or symbol (e.g., ✓ or highlight) next to entries, and space at the bottom for praise notes when prayers are answered.
What to Include: Specific Examples
Write concise, specific requests rather than vague ones for focused prayer. Update regularly and migrate unresolved items.

• Family/Friends/Personal Needs:
  • Spouse's work stress or health concern.
  • Child's school challenges or spiritual growth.
  • Friend's job search or marriage difficulties.
  • Personal: Wisdom in decisions, healing from illness, financial provision.

• Church Needs:
  • Vision.
  • Growth in small groups or youth ministry.
  • Unity among members; outreach events.
  • Building/maintenance needs or new attendees.
  • Volunteers 

• Missionaries:
  • Specific names (e.g., the Smith family in Asia): Safety, language acquisition, ministry fruit.
  • Projects 
  • Regional needs: Persecuted believers, open doors in restricted areas.
  • Support: Funding, team health, cultural adaptation.