It’s time for another Five Minute Friday…

For some background, a blogger friend by the name of Lisa Jo Baker posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. Bloggers from around the world (literally) are challenged to silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out.  OK, ok… I admit, I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.

Today’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  MIGHTY

Ready, set, go…

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5:57 am

MIGHTY

I’m feeling brave lately.  I’ve climbed some mountains that before seemed daunting. One of these instances involved writing a letter … which both asked for and offered forgiveness.  19 years of stuff being dragged around was too much.

And then I read the letter, and then I printed it, and then I re-read it … and then to my own shock signed it, folded it up and stuck it in an envelope to drop in mail.  Wow… I then had to sit down and thank God for this divine bravery.

Side note:  I had finally {truly} grasped that God’s love is mightier than my own hurt and feelings, and who was I to think I even had the right to hold these feelings against these people?!  I mean, really?!

His LOVE and GRACE and FORGIVENESS is mightier than my feelings, my pain, my selfishness…

For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you.” Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song.  Zephaniah 3:17-18 (LB)

6:02 am – and STOP!

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not.

Here’s how to play along: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}. 3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you.

This is the one rule of this community. – See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday (except it’s Wednesday, and I’m playing catch-up).

A blogger named Lisa Jo Baker posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. Bloggers from around the world (literally) are challenged to silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out.  OK, ok… I admit, I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.

Today’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  CROWD

Ready, set, go…

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1:25 pm

CROWD… 

the word alone can trigger so many emotions in me.  i DO NOT like crowds.  i immediately think “frenzy” and ask “what if?”  i once spent New Year’s Eve in Times Square.  WHAT was i thinking?!   (Well, now i can say ‘i did it!’)

but instead of freaking out, let’s focus on the positive…

when i challenge myself to look at the word in a more positive light, i think “community”.  then picturing myself in a friendly crowd i see myself in a worship service at church.  we all have the same focus, we’re standing by each other in unison… we are all facing in the same direction… with a common purpose and motivation.

at times when i think “community” i picture myself in a living room… surrounded by friends, mentors, family… a friendly group of people who are on each others’ side.

now THAT’S the kind of crowd i want to be a part of … a TEAM… I’m all about teams with one focus, and a similar direction and purpose!

thinking eternally, i picture myself walking the streets of Gold.  Heaven: full of a community of Jesus followers.  i’m at rest in that kind of crowd!

1:30 pm – and STOP!

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday.  A blogger named Lisa Jo Baker posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. Bloggers from around the world (literally) are challenged to silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out.  OK, ok… I admit, I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.

Today’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  CHOOSE

Ready, set, go…

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12:25 pm

CHOOSE… we, you and I, get to choose.  The choice is ours.

How my day turns out… that all depends on my choice of perspective.

How my annual review at work goes… that boils down to my choice of work ethic, attitude and how to seize opportunities (among other things).

How my faith and relationship with God grows… again, my choice!

Today my friend, who we will call Amber, is CHOOSING to love and support her unfaithful husband because he is asking for her forgiveness and desires a second chance.

Today my friends Bob and Debi are CHOOSING to trust that God is going to make something GOOD out of a horrific motorcycle accident their son was involved in.

Today my friends are CHOOSING to stand behind Bob and Debi and encourage them through scripture … as they wait, trembling and waiting, on GOOD news.

Today my heart breaks for my friends… but I CHOOSE to trust that our God is a big, big God who still works miracles!  I CHOOSE to believe that God hears our prayers.  I CHOOSE to trust that His timing is perfect.  I CHOOSE to believe that He is sovereign … and that while we don’t always understand His timing, that His timing is always right.

Hebrews 11 sums up my CHOICE of faith…

12:30 pm

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday.  A blogger named Lisa Jo Baker posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. Bloggers from around the world (literally) are challenged to silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out.  OK, ok… I admit, I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.

Today’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  VISIT

Ready, set, go…

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5:15 am

Porch chair.  Bundled up, waiting for the warming glow of the winter sun to rise.  Watching the horizon and the slowly evolving colors of sunrise.

Visiting with my Heavenly Father.  Wondering how much more stunningly beautiful mornings in Heaven are, compared to this.  Because this is pretty darn stunning.

Listening to His plans for my day.  Asking Him for grace in my words, actions and desires.

Trusting that He loves me just as I am.  Remembering that He knows my inner thoughts … my fears, my inadequacies, my desire to move beyond these inner-struggles… and He still loves me just as I am.

Morning visits, my favorite time of day… these morning soul visits are exactly what I need to start the day right…

5:20 am

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday.  A blogger named Lisa Jo posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. Bloggers from around the world (literally) are challenged to silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out.  OK, ok… I admit, I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.

Today’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  SEE

Ready, set, go…

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5:01 am

We see what we want to see.  That’s the problem.  Or is that a good thing?  I guess it depends on what we see.

We open our eyes.  We see.  But when we open our hearts we see something completely different.

Saturday morning I saw a kind face in a rough-looking gentleman, who was in a tough spot.  He asked if I could spare a few bucks to help him buy some food.  I saw his eyes.  I saw the dirt on his face.  My heart saw the genuine request from a hungry, cold, hurting man.

During our afternoon walk on Wednesday I saw the same kind face walking towards us, the same hungry, cold, hurting man.  He and I looked each other in the eye as we passed on the sidewalk…

He asked what time it was.  And if it was Wednesday.

I asked him his name.  I shook his hand.  And we talked for a minute.

And I walked away… my husband saw tears in my eyes and my hand clutching my chest.  And I saw a fresh corner of my heart open up…

Matthew 25:37-40 (The Message) “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ ”

5:06 am

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday.  A blogger named Lisa Jo posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. We silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out… but I might correct spelling and grammatical errors.  But I guess you’ll just have to keep reading to find out…

This Friday’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  FIGHT

Why am I writing on Monday?  Because I forgot.  But, write I will.

Ready, set, go…

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5:29 am

I stood in the entry way to the bank.  The lobby.  And I scanned the customers for the man who might possibly be doing the unthinkable.

I came home from work that day to find it mostly emptied.  The couch was pulled to the middle of the living room, with a pile of household items on top of it.  The dining room table was still in its place.  Also piled high with stuff.

The bedroom closet – his side was empty.

Is this really happening?

And I had to know for sure.  So I drove to his parents’ house.  They obviously helped him with this grand scheme while I was at work.

His dad said, with a look of both pride and defense on his face, “I know he wants to talk to you.  But he’s not here.  He’ll be back in a little bit.”

I didn’t know where else to go.  But I knew it was pay-day.  So I drove to the bank.

And there he was.  Sitting at a desk … as I walked up behind him I heard the teller ask him to confirm that he wanted all of the money out of the account.  He nodded.

And a fight ensued.  Right there in the lobby.

He WAS doing the unthinkable.

The fight continued in the parking lot.  And it was ugly.  I had FOUGHT with all my soul to stand by this man through the ugly things, through the tough times, through the painful process of him finally admitting to himself that he deserved better for himself…  And yet he chose them over me.

He told me I wasn’t what he really wanted.  He told me I wasn’t enough like his mom.

The next decade or so I FOUGHT… to overcome the abandonment, the rejection, the desire to love and trust and hope that I would find a healthy love.  And fought I did…

Now, 17 years later… I am proud of the fight I fought.

5:34 am

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

It’s time for another Five Minute Friday.  A blogger named Lisa Jo posts a random prompt every Friday with the challenge to write for five minutes, a free write. We silence the inner critics and just write… whatever comes out is what comes out… but I “might” go back and correct spelling and grammatical errors.  But I guess you’ll just have to keep reading to find out…

This Friday’s prompt?  I’m glad you asked:  REFLECT

Ready, set, go…

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5:54 am

I’m an old soul.  I do a lot of reflecting.  I recall memories, I reflect on how I felt in certain situation, I think through the words used in responding to somebody, I reflect on decisions and learn from them, I relive joyous times and “shaping” times alike.  I reflect… it’s what I do.

But more than anything I wish to be a REFLECTION …

I wish to embody (to reflect) the grace and love and content spirit of our loving Heavenly Father.  I wish I could be an exact reflection of His pure heart, His loving hands, His gracious love and His mercy.

But as I see my reflection in the mirror every morning I see what I feel are imperfections.

And gently He reminds me  (albeit over and over and OVER again, and then one more time for good measure) that no matter how imperfect I feel, He created me in HIS IMAGE… which means He created me to be His image bearer, a reflection of Him.

To Him, I am already perfect.  I am already reflecting Him.  Imperfect as I might feel.

But, how is this possible?  My imperfection is a reflection of a perfect thing?  How can that be?  

Because of His grace.  Period.

5:59 am

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Thank you for the challenge Lisa Jo Baker… www.lisajobaker.com

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

– See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/