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!

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!