5 Minute Friday - Grateful

It's been a few weeks, but this Friday I am joining Lisa Jo, the Gypsy Mama to write for a few minutes on her prompt "Grateful".  Click the link below to get the "rules" to play along.




Ready . . . GO!
Grateful.I have so much to be grateful for and wonder  . . . can I possibly say what I want to in just 5 minutes.
Two weeks ago I had a total knee replacement . . . a procedure that will undoubtedly change my life for the better.  The leadup to the surgery was frought with fears of spinals and catheters, injections and staples and  . . . pain.  How pleasantly surprised I was to find the majority of the things I feared did not materialize.  Oh how gracious my Father has been to me.  Attended by nurses named "Joy" and "Grace", a medical team that displayed deep compassion and patience with people in great pain.  

And my daughter . . . what a gift she is to me . . . tending to me so sweetly.  I live in a suite in her home and she slips in and out throughout the day to check on me, making meals, driving me to appointments, bringing another ice pack, holding me close when the tears spill over.  
My girl . . . so grateful for you, your love, your generosity, your encouragement. I love you.
Stop!

5 Minute Friday - "Relevant"

5 Minute Friday is all about writing, free and fast . . . letting the words spill onto the page without backtracking and editing to perfection.  Lisa Jo, the Gypsy Mama is the host of this Challenge and has given us "Relevant" as the prompt for this week's edition.  All the details are posted at her site.  We would love you to play along . . . 

Ready . . . GO!

The Bible, Holy Writ, Scriptures, The Message, Ancient Words, Sacred Pages

All references to the Word of God.

Its relevancy questioned by many, mostly by those who don’t read it.

How can words penned thousands of years ago be relevant in today's society?

Times have changed so dramatically, it is argued and the practices and principles are deemed obsolete.

But I would argue  . . . “Not so”

Have you never needed wisdom . . . Proverbs is full of it.

Comfort?  . . .  embrace the Psalms.

The early books of the Pentateuch tell the stories of people who struggled with issues just as we do . . . lying, stealing, jealousy, fear, compromise, selfishness and more.

If we approach His Word with open hearts, we will find it absolutely relevant as He speaks directly to our need.

“Ancient Words, ever true

Changing me and changing you

We have come with open hearts

O, let the Ancient Words impart”

STOP!

Link to youtube video of "Ancient Words" sung by Robin Marks

1st photo source: Uploaded by user via Andrea on Pinterest

Five Minute Friday "Beyond"

 



Most Fridays, I try to link up with the Gypsy Mama for this fun writing challenge. 

Write for just 5 minutes on the provided prompt . . . this week "Beyond".

It should be just writing, no editing or backtracking.

Then link up with the others at Lisa-Jo's and share some love (comments)

 

 GO!

Nearly 250 years ago, my paternal ancestors left Switzerland for Germany in an attempt to flee religious persecution.  These Anabaptist forebears eventually fled Germany for the same reason.  Faced with uncertainty they chose to look beyond the continent of Europe and found themselves in America in it's infancy. Many hardships they faced in order to make a new life where they could worship freely their creator, their God.

 (image source)

One hundred years ago, my maternal great-grandparents left Arkansas with their little daughters, heading for Canada.  Her family had been settled there for 5 genereations already. And yet there was something beyond the Ozarks that beckoned them, calling them to come.

 

My 3X great-grandparents, David Benjamin & Freelove Taylor, Searcy County Arkansas



Eventually these two families joined to become my family.  A family I dearly love.  But I have been called to another family, beyond the natural, beyond the earthly.  Called to the kingdom of love, where my true Father looked beyond my sin, my failures and saw treasure . . . something worth acquiring at great cost.

When I was beyond hope . . . helpless and in despair, He came and rescued me.
Gave me life and love and hope for a future beyond my wildest dreams.

STOP!

Catch a Falling Star - 5 Minute Friday - "Catch"

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day"

These are the words that sprang to mind as I viewed the prompt for 5MF.  While it is a catchy tune, I can’t say I agree with the message.

Falling stars are not so very common and if you were to catch one, I believe there would be purpose to  it. . . that it was never meant to be tucked away for later use, but to be enjoyed and spent in the moment.  Some people would view seeing a falling star as “good luck” and that wishes made on a falling star are magical, but I don’t believe in luck. 

I believe in providence.  Provision from the hand of a good Father, who knows what we need and when we need it and has promised to be our provider.  I think of the Israelites who were instructed to gather manna and use it up that day . . . if they saved it,  it would no longer be usable. 

What could be considered a falling star in your day . . . did you catch it  . . . and what will you do with it?

Linking this post with the Gypsy Mama's 5 Minute Friday community . . . where we write for 5 minutes on the prompt provided.  You can find the rules of engagement by following the link above or click the button below.

Setting the Stage - 5 Minute Friday - "Ordinary"

There is something to be said for ordinary. Ordinary sets the stage for the extraordinary.  Without the everyday, commonplace happenings  . . . the morning mug of steaming coffee, quiet moments spent reading, making shopping lists and folding laundry, the extraordinary would not stand out at all. 

To think that a massive collection of metal and bolts and dials and engine parts could lift off the ground and fly through the air is extraordinary . . . but to a bird, it is commonplace, customary, ordinary.

And the ordinary can become extraordinary over time.  With the advent of new technology the ways most of us do things have changed dramatically.  What was once an amazing jaw-dropping sight to those who travelled by horse and buggy has now become the ordinary . . . and the horse and buggy, extraordinary.

Reading at Ann Voskamp’s  today I thrilled to the story of hundreds of ordinary farmers who came together to do what they have done all their lives.  But in this setting it became extraordinary and the entire harvest was donated to combat world hunger.  What is there inside ordinary little me that can make an extraordinary difference to someone today? What is there in you?

Linking with the wonderful writer's in this community hosted by Lisa-Jo, the Gypsy Mama. If you would like to play along click the button to view the rules and read other entries.  You will be blessed.

Joy Comes in the Mourning - 5 Minute Friday

Joining Lisa-Jo once again at Gypsy Mama for 5 Minute Friday. 
Here's how we do it:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Go a little overboard encouraging the writer who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

JOY!

Go:

Joy . . . the word bounces around in my mind, picking up Scriptures as it goes. 

Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation - Isaiah

"I have no greater joy than to see my children walking in truth" - John the Beloved

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . .

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.

This 5 Minute Friday prompt and post is dedicated to Sara, who "chooses joy".  She is making the final journey and will soon be home . . . in the presence of her King . . . where there is fullness of joy . . . forevermore.

There is much to be said about this precious one, as no doubt you will find as you read other 5 Minute Friday posts . . . please do . . . you will be so blessed.  I hardly knew her,  just started reading her blog a month ago, but have been deeply touched by her life.

Joy comes in the mourning . . . remembering who she is, acknowledging the tremendous loss and knowing where she will be . . . waiting to see you all again.

STOP

In Real Life

 That time again . . . 5 Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

The prompt for today is In Real Life


Ready, GO!


A handful of little misses call me Grandma

Five granddaughters  . . . such a blessing 

My heart is so longing to see them more often

They live three time zones away from me and how it stings at times to miss all their daily doings, the funny little things that they say and do, the expressions on their faces.

And the last one, the little bundle that came early and needed so much prayer

Oh, to see and hold her . . .  my heart was fearful that it would not be

But thanks be to God, He made a way for her  . . . and for me

I have seen her and held her

In real life.

STOP

Getting Older - 5 Minute Friday

Hey everybody, it's 5 Minute Friday again, and I had to so much fun last week, (my first time) and I am back for more.  Lisa Jo, the The Gypsy Mama, made up the game and these are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

The prompt for today is OLDER

GO!

When first we emerge from that dark cocoon into the blazing light of day,

we are mostly content to drink, to sleep, to snuggle close.

How quickly the milestones are marked . . .

the first sleeping through the night,

the first tooth,

sitting, crawling, standing, walking, talking.

The first year they come fast and furious.

As we get a little older they come less frequently.

Learning to ride the bike,

kindergarten, losing that first tooth.

Our early years speed by so fast

and soon we have left the teen years behind.

Now it is all about getting the good job,

the great spouse, the lovely house, the car.

Striving to achieve . . . acquire the things that make for a good life.

How sad it is . . . if in all our getting . . . we do not get wisdom with it.

As I have passed the 50 mark, I find the desire to disencumber myself

of a lot of things that seemed so important, once upon a time.

What is important now is that I have forgiven those who have wronged me

(real or imagined) and that my relationships are healthy.

STOP!

No, wait . . . I'm not finished.

Gratitude is now my favourite attitude and I value the discipline of Counting the Gifts.

I have fully embraced my current reality.

My body is needing an overhaul and I have a new best friend.

Me and my cane go everywhere together.

I love my gray hair . . . I earned every one of them and I'm not covering them up anymore.

Being a grandmother to five little misses is the cake, the icing AND the cherry on top!

As each year passes, 

I find myself less concerned with how much I have accomplished,

more content to simply BE.

To eat . . . to pray . . . to dream . . . and snuggle close to my Papa.

I read this scripture just  last week:

"Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails . . . now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me." (Psalm 71:9,18)

A prayer He has already answered . . . a prayer that inspired this poem.

I know I kind of bent the rules of 5 Minute Friday's but I wasn't finished saying what I had to say and so I rambled on.  You can get away with that when you're older.

Toes in the Water - 5 Minute Friday

A lovely lady, Lisa-Jo, at The Gypsy Mama came up with the idea of  5 Minute Fridays, a writing challenge where you are given a prompt word and then write for 5 minutes on whatever the prompt suggests.  The basic rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

This weeks prompt is NEW . . . ready, set, GO!

I am new to 5 Minute Fridays and feeling a little awkward

What can I possibly say in 5 minutes?

I feel apprehensive and shy to put stuff out there

unedited, imperfect, raw.

But I want to be brave, so I dip my toes in the water today.

New mercies every morning,

new moon, new potatoes, newspaper,

funny the things that pop into your mind when you hear a particular word.

I don't eat potatoes

I don't read the newspaper

I do enjoy the new moon

and

I depend on new mercies every morning.

Being a newcomer is always a little daunting to me

but here it is, I did it.

Finished.