This week for many marks the beginning of another year of school. Honestly, really weird that I am not starting classes again, but at the same time, it’s pretty great. I remember one year ago, I was starting a pretty lax senior year class wise. However, I was SO freaked out about what the next year would bring and what I would be doing post-grad. Fast-forward to now, where I have a job, back in the state of Arkansas surrounded by my family and oldest friends. I never would have thought this is where I would be, but let me remind you… God & his plans are SO good.
Last summer, I was having lunch with one of my favorite ladies, Mrs. Meredith Jackson. We always talk about a wide range of topics when we get together. Somehow she started telling me about how she had taken a section of her closet, which was big enough, and made a prayer wall. She had seen this wall in the movie “War Room” (which is wonderful, by the way). She explained how she wrote every little prayer she had, light or serious, on that wall. She said when she walked in her closet there was always this immense peace she felt. She suggested I do the same because I had told her I was going to be having a very large closet. If you visited my house last year in Fort Worth, you have probably seen my prayer wall / remember the size of my closet. Gosh I miss that thing. Anyways, Mrs. Meredith said everyday she would read her bible, add things to the wall, and pray over them. I decided I should do the same.
Y’ALL. It made such a difference in my life. I loved being able to see all the good and bad things up on the wall. I had a decorative wood painted bible verse on the wall and then I would write my prayers, worries, fears, etc. on a note card and tape each individual thought on the wall. It grew to fill the whole wall eventually. Obviously, a lot of it was private and personal, but it felt good to see it each day and ask God for help and praise him at the same time.
Every so often I would take a black sharpie and place check marks on the things that had been resolved. It has so fulfilling seeing the different ways God was working in my life, as well as in others. It simply made my life so much better. I felt less stressed. I was reminded every time I walked in my closet to pray. Oddly, like Mrs. Meredith said, there was this particular peace in that room.
Lately, with all the change going on in my life, I have been feeling more anxious than normal. A few weeks ago I realized that part of it was because I didn’t have my prayer wall set up where I am now. It is something I will be doing this week. If you have bad anxiety this is such a simple yet effective way to reduce it.
Like I said, I placed so many things on that wall. I had a few pictures, bracelets from fun events, memorabilia, stresses, the negative / positive things in my life, and generally anything I felt that would fit there. Every time I walked in my closet I felt so so grateful. Therefore, my advice for anyone in general, but especially those starting school… find a space, big or small, and make a prayer wall. It will enrich your life in ways you can’t even imagine! I will share pictures I took of my prayer wall before I took it down last May. I miss it, but I can’t wait to start fresh with a new one. Stay tuned! Also, fill free to ask any questions as you make your own! You won’t regret it. In fact, shocking I know, I believe you will be thankful for it!!
Sincerely,
Southern and Thankful
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