Joining in with the Five Minute Friday group again this week. This week's prompt is "notice."
As I sit and watch the first snowfall of the season around here, I've been struck by the peaceful feeling it brings to just sit and watch it. Sitting in my favourite writing place - a coffee shop - sipping my latte, I'm watching peace fall outside the window.
I've always like snow - as long as I don't have to do a lot of driving in it. There is something about the way it blankets everything in white and muffles the usual noises, that seems peaceful.
Especially when the things in my mind seem to be anything but peaceful. When my mind is in chaos, the visible reminder of God's peace is a welcome sight.
It invites me to start to notice God in the midst of the chaos swirling in my mind. To notice the peace God has given.
In Matthew 14:27, Jesus said these words to His disciples:
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
If we're too busy, we don't notice the peace Jesus gives.
If we've gotten too caught up in the chaos of our minds and become troubled and afraid, we don't notice the peace Jesus gives.
But, He promised us His peace - in the midst of our chaos, our trouble, our fear. He lets His peace fall in all those areas. We must learn to notice it.
Sometimes we might need a visual reminder of His peace, like the falling snow has been for me tonight. Watching it fall, I notice that my mind begins to settle, as I become more aware of the peace Jesus gives falling in my mind and my heart tonight. Not to bury or ignore the challenges, but so I approach them differently.
Showing posts with label Five Minute Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Five Minute Friday. Show all posts
Friday, November 21, 2014
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Turn
Joining in with the group over at Five Minute Friday this week. This week's prompt is "turn."
We don't wait well for our turn. We get impatient when we're waiting. It doesn't come naturally to us to wait for our turn.
Yet we often find ourselves having to wait until it is our turn for things. We're standing in line waiting for our turn. Or maybe we've heard something from God about what is coming in our future, but we still have to wait for our turn for it to happen, because someone else is in that role right now.
Maybe we often need to wait our turn because God has something He wants to teach us in the waiting. Instead of getting impatient while we wait for our turn, maybe we need to learn to look for what God is teaching while we wait.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Change
It's Friday, which means it's time for Five Minute Friday. This week the word is "change."
Do you embrace change? Or do you fight against it?
Or maybe you find yourself somewhere in the middle of those extremes? You don't excitedly seek after change, but you don't run form it either.
Whatever the case, the one thing we can be sure of in life is that we will have to deal with change. Change in our lives because of things we do. Change in circumstance because of choices we made. Change in our lives because of things others do. Changes in circumstance because of choices others made. Sometimes we choose the change and sometimes we don't.
The one thing we can be sure of is that change in evitable. And as followers of Christ, change is something that happens constantly in our lives - or, it should be.
When we choose to follow Christ, we being a process of transformation - of change. And that process of change in a lifelong process. We're constantly being changed to become more and more like Christ.
When we stop to look back over the years, we can see evidence of this change. And evidence of how we responded to it. We can see the times we embraced the change and we can see the times where we fought against it. But the important thing is that we give glory to God for the ways He has changed us.
Do you embrace change? Or do you fight against it?
Or maybe you find yourself somewhere in the middle of those extremes? You don't excitedly seek after change, but you don't run form it either.
Whatever the case, the one thing we can be sure of in life is that we will have to deal with change. Change in our lives because of things we do. Change in circumstance because of choices we made. Change in our lives because of things others do. Changes in circumstance because of choices others made. Sometimes we choose the change and sometimes we don't.
The one thing we can be sure of is that change in evitable. And as followers of Christ, change is something that happens constantly in our lives - or, it should be.
When we choose to follow Christ, we being a process of transformation - of change. And that process of change in a lifelong process. We're constantly being changed to become more and more like Christ.
When we stop to look back over the years, we can see evidence of this change. And evidence of how we responded to it. We can see the times we embraced the change and we can see the times where we fought against it. But the important thing is that we give glory to God for the ways He has changed us.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Fill
A day late this week, but jumping onboard with Five Minute Friday. This week's word is fill.
Running on empty. Sometimes this is how it feels like life is being lived. We've gotten to the point where we're just going through the motions - doing what we know we should be doing, but with no heart in them.
It's easy to end up here in our spiritual lives. That place where we got to church, read our Bibles, pray because we should. But they've just become things we do.
The good news is that we don't have to stay in that place. We can ask God and He will fill us. He will fill us with His love again and with a desire for that deeper relationship with Him.
And when God does that, we're no longer left feeling like we're running on empty. We're filled with what brings us real life.
Running on empty. Sometimes this is how it feels like life is being lived. We've gotten to the point where we're just going through the motions - doing what we know we should be doing, but with no heart in them.
It's easy to end up here in our spiritual lives. That place where we got to church, read our Bibles, pray because we should. But they've just become things we do.
The good news is that we don't have to stay in that place. We can ask God and He will fill us. He will fill us with His love again and with a desire for that deeper relationship with Him.
And when God does that, we're no longer left feeling like we're running on empty. We're filled with what brings us real life.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Begin
God provides us chance to begin again each day, each moment.
We stumble. We sin. We mess up.
When we confess it to God and ask for His forgiveness. He freely gives us His forgiveness and a chance to begin again. We start over with a no record of what we have done.
That chance to begin again is something we need constantly. A chance to begin again is something we need each day, each moment.
I'm thankful that God offers us that chance. As many times as I may need it.
All I have to do is return to Him and ask Him for that chance again. I don't have to try to do the right thing so He will give me that chance. I just have to ask and it is given. God's grace poured out on my life.
The chance to begin again is available to all who are willing to confess their sin and ask God for forgiveness - for a chance to begin again.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again today. This week's word is "begin."
We stumble. We sin. We mess up.
When we confess it to God and ask for His forgiveness. He freely gives us His forgiveness and a chance to begin again. We start over with a no record of what we have done.
That chance to begin again is something we need constantly. A chance to begin again is something we need each day, each moment.
I'm thankful that God offers us that chance. As many times as I may need it.
All I have to do is return to Him and ask Him for that chance again. I don't have to try to do the right thing so He will give me that chance. I just have to ask and it is given. God's grace poured out on my life.
The chance to begin again is available to all who are willing to confess their sin and ask God for forgiveness - for a chance to begin again.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again today. This week's word is "begin."
Friday, July 25, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Finish
It's a phrase I've heard often. A statement made. A wish declared.
Finish well.
We talk about finishing well. On a project. With a job. In a ministry we've been serving in.
We use it to describe someone who lived life well right to the end.
Finish well.
We use the phrase often, but do we really mean the same thing every time? Does each person who uses it mean the same thing every time?
What does it mean to finish well?
I'm brought back to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul wrote the letter near the end of his life, and these were the words he had to say. Paul knew that he has finished well.
When Paul spoke of finishing well, he was talking about faithfully serving God to the end. Paul knew that he had followed God and served God the best he knew how to do.
When I think of finishing well, that's what I think of. Serving God. Living my life for Him completely. Following God the best I can.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again this week. The word for this week is "finish."
Finish well.
We talk about finishing well. On a project. With a job. In a ministry we've been serving in.
We use it to describe someone who lived life well right to the end.
Finish well.
We use the phrase often, but do we really mean the same thing every time? Does each person who uses it mean the same thing every time?
What does it mean to finish well?
I'm brought back to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul wrote the letter near the end of his life, and these were the words he had to say. Paul knew that he has finished well.
When Paul spoke of finishing well, he was talking about faithfully serving God to the end. Paul knew that he had followed God and served God the best he knew how to do.
When I think of finishing well, that's what I think of. Serving God. Living my life for Him completely. Following God the best I can.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again this week. The word for this week is "finish."
Friday, July 11, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Belong
It was always one of my favourite places to go. I loved the place. And even though the people there were different every time, it was a place where I felt like I belonged. Summer camp was always the place where I could be who I was and be accepted for it. I didn't have to try to fit in anywhere. It was a place where I belonged.
We all want somewhere to bong. We search for it. We long for it.
When we find it, we feel safe. When we feel like we belong somewhere we're able to be ourselves - able to be who God created us to be.
When we can't find a place to belong, we might try to change ourselves to fit in somewhere. We hide who we really are and try to make ourselves something we aren't just to belong and fit in.
Those places where we belong. The people who we feel like we belong with. They are important to our well-being.
Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it should be to find those places. But, maybe we can change that. What would happen if we stopped being exclusive and started welcoming people - started giving them a place to belong with us? That could change the world.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again this week. This week's word is "Belong."
We all want somewhere to bong. We search for it. We long for it.
When we find it, we feel safe. When we feel like we belong somewhere we're able to be ourselves - able to be who God created us to be.
When we can't find a place to belong, we might try to change ourselves to fit in somewhere. We hide who we really are and try to make ourselves something we aren't just to belong and fit in.
Those places where we belong. The people who we feel like we belong with. They are important to our well-being.
Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it should be to find those places. But, maybe we can change that. What would happen if we stopped being exclusive and started welcoming people - started giving them a place to belong with us? That could change the world.
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again this week. This week's word is "Belong."
Friday, July 4, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Exhale
Exhale. It's something we do all the time. Every time we inhale, we exhale. Most of the time it happens without us even thinking about it.
We exhale physically, but we can also exhale spiritually. That moment when we give up something we've been carrying for far too long that we were never meant to carry in the first place.
We let it go - leave it at the cross. And when we get up to walk away something feels lighter. Like we've left something heavy there and walked away without it. We exhale, as the weight is lifted. And then we walk a little bit easier when we walk away.
We meet with God. We hear His truth. We confess our sin. We exhale spiritually as we leave behind the burdens we were never meant to carry. And we move forward in our walk with God - allowing Him into more places to lift more burdens we can no longer carry.
After a few months of not joining in, I decided it was time to jump back in with Five Minute Friday - joining the group over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog, for five minutes of writing on a given word and then sharing it, no editing or overthinking.
This week's word is "exhale."
We exhale physically, but we can also exhale spiritually. That moment when we give up something we've been carrying for far too long that we were never meant to carry in the first place.
We let it go - leave it at the cross. And when we get up to walk away something feels lighter. Like we've left something heavy there and walked away without it. We exhale, as the weight is lifted. And then we walk a little bit easier when we walk away.
We meet with God. We hear His truth. We confess our sin. We exhale spiritually as we leave behind the burdens we were never meant to carry. And we move forward in our walk with God - allowing Him into more places to lift more burdens we can no longer carry.
After a few months of not joining in, I decided it was time to jump back in with Five Minute Friday - joining the group over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog, for five minutes of writing on a given word and then sharing it, no editing or overthinking.
This week's word is "exhale."
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Mighty
It's a few hours early where I am, but it's Friday in other places. Joining in at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog with Five Minute Friday again this week. This week's word is "mighty."We don't often use the word mighty to describe many things.
Sometimes we sue the word to describe superheroes. We use it to describe trees.
But, we do often use the word mighty to describe God. We serve a mighty God.
I've often wondered what exactly this word means. I had to take a moment and look up what the definition actually is. Mighty means "having, characterized by, or showing superior power or strength; of great size."
That makes sense with what we use it for in general. And it definitely makes sense when we use it as a word to describe God.
God has superior power and strength. That's why we serve Him.
God is great than we could ever imagine. That's why we serve Him.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Choose
We all choose things every day. We can choose what matters to us. We can act on those things that we choose. What we choose depends on what we have decided is important.
In the moment, it's not always easy to choose what is really important. We can get caught up in what seems most urgent at the time, and that may not always be the most important to us. But, we all know that it's easy to do that.
To choose what is the most important no matter what is vying for our attention requires that we be intentional. We have to intentionally choose what is most important, rather than go with what is most urgent.
It's not easy, but it is the best way to live. When we choose the most important, we live a life with no regrets.
In that moment at work when someone else comes to my office door, how will I respond? If I've decided that people are the most important, then that person at the door should get my attention. But, sometimes they come when I have other deadlines or things I want to get done. I can get caught up in the task I need to get done that seems more urgent. Or I can choose to give the person at my office door some time and listen, because I've chosen to make people the most important. The second choice is an intentional one.
How are you doing at choosing what is most important? Have you decided what is most important in your life?
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again. This week the word is "choose."
In the moment, it's not always easy to choose what is really important. We can get caught up in what seems most urgent at the time, and that may not always be the most important to us. But, we all know that it's easy to do that.
To choose what is the most important no matter what is vying for our attention requires that we be intentional. We have to intentionally choose what is most important, rather than go with what is most urgent.
It's not easy, but it is the best way to live. When we choose the most important, we live a life with no regrets.
In that moment at work when someone else comes to my office door, how will I respond? If I've decided that people are the most important, then that person at the door should get my attention. But, sometimes they come when I have other deadlines or things I want to get done. I can get caught up in the task I need to get done that seems more urgent. Or I can choose to give the person at my office door some time and listen, because I've chosen to make people the most important. The second choice is an intentional one.
How are you doing at choosing what is most important? Have you decided what is most important in your life?
Joining in with Five Minute Friday again. This week the word is "choose."
Friday, February 7, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Write
Joining in with the group over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for Five Minute Friday again this week. This week's word is "write."
When you write, you put yourself out there. You put your thoughts and ideas out for the world to read. And you hope they take your words the way you meant them. You hope that your point was clear and there isn't any confusion.
To be a writer, you have to push beyond the fear. Beyond the fear that you have nothing to say. Beyond the fear that you're not good enough to write anything.
It's only when you step out and take the chance of putting yourself out there that you are able to share what you have to say. And sometimes there are people who will read what you write that need to hear what you have to say.
But for people to hear what you have to say, you have to risk being hurt. You have to risk being misunderstood. You have to risk being misquoted by others.
If your message is important to you, you will put yourself out there in the midst of fear and take the risk to share what you feel you need to share. And you will share it whether one person reads it or many more. The numbers of those who read it won't be important - knowing that you shared the message you had to share will be what is important.
When you write, you put yourself out there. You put your thoughts and ideas out for the world to read. And you hope they take your words the way you meant them. You hope that your point was clear and there isn't any confusion.
To be a writer, you have to push beyond the fear. Beyond the fear that you have nothing to say. Beyond the fear that you're not good enough to write anything.
It's only when you step out and take the chance of putting yourself out there that you are able to share what you have to say. And sometimes there are people who will read what you write that need to hear what you have to say.
But for people to hear what you have to say, you have to risk being hurt. You have to risk being misunderstood. You have to risk being misquoted by others.
If your message is important to you, you will put yourself out there in the midst of fear and take the risk to share what you feel you need to share. And you will share it whether one person reads it or many more. The numbers of those who read it won't be important - knowing that you shared the message you had to share will be what is important.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Five Minute Friday: Fight
It's back. Five Minute Friday. Joining in with the group over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for five minutes of writing on the given word for the week. No editing. No over-thinking. Then share it here and join up with the rest over at the blog to share it there as well. This week's word is "fight."
In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." When I read this verse, I've always wondered what Paul meant when he said he had fought the good fight. The more I think about it, the more I realize just how significant these words from Paul are.
As a follower of Christ, we are engaged in a battle we can't see every minute of every day. We have to fight the good fight all the time. The fight that we join in when we choose to follow Jesus with our lives.
The battle is only over when our time on this earth is done. Until that point, we fight the good fight like Paul did.
What does it mean to fight the good fight?
It means we choose to follow and obey God even when other things look more tempting and more fun.
It means we choose to follow and obey God even when it doesn't make sense.
It means we choose to follow and obey God no matter what it costs us.
It's not easy to fight the good fight, but I think Paul and many other who have gone before us would say that it is worth it.
In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." When I read this verse, I've always wondered what Paul meant when he said he had fought the good fight. The more I think about it, the more I realize just how significant these words from Paul are.
As a follower of Christ, we are engaged in a battle we can't see every minute of every day. We have to fight the good fight all the time. The fight that we join in when we choose to follow Jesus with our lives.
The battle is only over when our time on this earth is done. Until that point, we fight the good fight like Paul did.
What does it mean to fight the good fight?
It means we choose to follow and obey God even when other things look more tempting and more fun.
It means we choose to follow and obey God even when it doesn't make sense.
It means we choose to follow and obey God no matter what it costs us.
It's not easy to fight the good fight, but I think Paul and many other who have gone before us would say that it is worth it.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Tree
I sat and looked at the trees around me. Barren branches reached for the sky. Only a few orange leaves still clung bravely to the branches. I wasn't sure how much longer they would hang on.
At first glance the trees looked dead. A sure sign that winter was on its way.
Wishing away the cold, my thoughts turned to spring. In just a few months, there would be life on the barren branches of the trees in front of me. Life that burst forth from within. Brilliant colours. Fragrant.
Then I realized something. We need the winter to appreciate the spring. These barren branches I was looking at right now are necessary. Without the contrast, I would miss the beauty of the new life that spring brings forth. The new life wouldn't catch my eye and look so grand without the barrenness of the branches now.
The same is true in our walk with God. We all have times when things feel dead - when there seems to be nothing growing in our lives. But it is those times that prepare us for the new life God wants to bring within us. New life that we might miss if things were always easy.
It was getting too cold to stay out any longer. But the image wouldn't leave my mind. The image of new life bursting forth from what looks to be dead and barren.
It's that time again. Five Minute Friday . . . except mine is a Saturday post this week. Joining in with the others over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for five minutes of writing on a given word. No editing or overthinking, just sharing what comes with each other. Today's word was "tree."
At first glance the trees looked dead. A sure sign that winter was on its way.Wishing away the cold, my thoughts turned to spring. In just a few months, there would be life on the barren branches of the trees in front of me. Life that burst forth from within. Brilliant colours. Fragrant.
Then I realized something. We need the winter to appreciate the spring. These barren branches I was looking at right now are necessary. Without the contrast, I would miss the beauty of the new life that spring brings forth. The new life wouldn't catch my eye and look so grand without the barrenness of the branches now.
The same is true in our walk with God. We all have times when things feel dead - when there seems to be nothing growing in our lives. But it is those times that prepare us for the new life God wants to bring within us. New life that we might miss if things were always easy.
It was getting too cold to stay out any longer. But the image wouldn't leave my mind. The image of new life bursting forth from what looks to be dead and barren.
It's that time again. Five Minute Friday . . . except mine is a Saturday post this week. Joining in with the others over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for five minutes of writing on a given word. No editing or overthinking, just sharing what comes with each other. Today's word was "tree."
Friday, November 1, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Grace
It's that time again. Five Minute Friday. This week's word is "grace."
The greatest gift we could ever receive . . . grace.
And it truly is a gift. There's nothing we can do to earn it.
All we can do it accept the gift. And allow it to change our lives.
God's grace is the greatest thing available for us all the time. He gives us what we don't deserve.
But, we often try to do everything we can to earn His grace. We try to be good enough. We try to do the right things . . . say the right things . . . and we wear ourselves out in the process, because no matter what we do we can never earn it.
The only way for God's grace to make a difference in our lives is for us to accept the gift.
The gift has been offered to you. Will you accept it freely? Or are you still trying to earn it?
The greatest gift we could ever receive . . . grace.
And it truly is a gift. There's nothing we can do to earn it.
All we can do it accept the gift. And allow it to change our lives.
God's grace is the greatest thing available for us all the time. He gives us what we don't deserve.
But, we often try to do everything we can to earn His grace. We try to be good enough. We try to do the right things . . . say the right things . . . and we wear ourselves out in the process, because no matter what we do we can never earn it.
The only way for God's grace to make a difference in our lives is for us to accept the gift.
The gift has been offered to you. Will you accept it freely? Or are you still trying to earn it?
Friday, October 25, 2013
Five Minute Friday:Together
It`s that time again. Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker`s blog. Five minutes of unedited writing that we then share. Today`s word is together.
Ì enjoy it when we spend time together.
She said those words as I climbed in my car. She walked away before I could respond. If she hadn`t I would have responded the same way.
I enjoyed spending time with her too. But this was the first time in three months we had taken the time to spend together. We had our list of excuses why it hadn`t worked for us to get together, but I wondered as I drove away how true our excuses really where.
Sure I had lots of things going on in my life, but I still always found time to spend with people if I wanted to. And I knew that she was home most evenings because we would chat online. But that online chat that we tried to make replace seeing each other face-to-face really didn`t do it. It didn`t replace spending time together - sitting across a table from each other having a conversation, walking along the lake while we talked.
I decided that I would make spending time with friends more of a priority as I drove home that night. With this friend and with others that it had been far too long since we sat down to talk.
Together . . . time with people we love and care about . . . it`s something we all need.
Ì enjoy it when we spend time together.
She said those words as I climbed in my car. She walked away before I could respond. If she hadn`t I would have responded the same way.
I enjoyed spending time with her too. But this was the first time in three months we had taken the time to spend together. We had our list of excuses why it hadn`t worked for us to get together, but I wondered as I drove away how true our excuses really where.
Sure I had lots of things going on in my life, but I still always found time to spend with people if I wanted to. And I knew that she was home most evenings because we would chat online. But that online chat that we tried to make replace seeing each other face-to-face really didn`t do it. It didn`t replace spending time together - sitting across a table from each other having a conversation, walking along the lake while we talked.
I decided that I would make spending time with friends more of a priority as I drove home that night. With this friend and with others that it had been far too long since we sat down to talk.
Together . . . time with people we love and care about . . . it`s something we all need.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Five Minute Friday: True
It's Five Minute Friday again. This week's word is "true."
Do you ever share the true story of your life? You know the one . . .
. . . the one where you share your failures and mistakes, alongside the successes and the things you did right.
. . . the one where you're not defined by any one thing, but by the total of what makes you who you are.
. . . the one where you're honest and authentic.
It's probably not the story we want to share all the time. It's not necessarily the story that makes us look good to other people.
But the true story our lives is the one that people can most relate to. It's the one that lets people know we're human and that we struggle with the same things they do.
True . . . that's what it should be when we share the story of our lives with others.
We can tell the true story without sharing things that disrespect others or sharing details people don't need to hear. It might require us to be careful, but the true story of our lives can still be told that way.
Do you ever share the true story of your life?
Do you ever share the true story of your life? You know the one . . .
. . . the one where you share your failures and mistakes, alongside the successes and the things you did right.
. . . the one where you're not defined by any one thing, but by the total of what makes you who you are.
. . . the one where you're honest and authentic.
It's probably not the story we want to share all the time. It's not necessarily the story that makes us look good to other people.
But the true story our lives is the one that people can most relate to. It's the one that lets people know we're human and that we struggle with the same things they do.
True . . . that's what it should be when we share the story of our lives with others.
We can tell the true story without sharing things that disrespect others or sharing details people don't need to hear. It might require us to be careful, but the true story of our lives can still be told that way.
Do you ever share the true story of your life?
Friday, September 20, 2013
Five Minute Friday: She
It's Five Minute Friday again and I'm joining in with the group over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. The instructions are simple: five minutes of writing on the given word - no editing or over-thinking what you write about; then you share what you wrote. This week the word is "she."When she walked in the room, everyone turned to look at her.
She was the center of attention and she knew it. She was used to it. She often was the center of attention in a crowd.
The problem was, she didn't want to be the center of attention. At least, not for the reasons she was.
Most of those people looking at her were judging her.
You see, she looked different than the rest of them. She didn't feel like she belonged.
It had taken her a long time to get comfortable with who she was and how she looked. It hadn't been easy. But it was something she had to do if she was going to live a life that didn't revolve around hiding.
And the more she learned to be comfortable with who she was, the less she noticed people staring when she walked in a room. She became comfortable in who she was. And no one else's opinion mattered any longer.
The best part was that she had learned there was Someone who wasn't concerned with what she looked like. To Him what mattered was on the inside. That was shy she mattered.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Mercy
It's Five Minute Friday again. Joining in with everyone over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for five minutes of writing on the given word. The rules are simple: write for five minutes, no editing or overthinking, then share your work. Today's word is "mercy."
Sitting on a bench on the sidewalk. I see you walking down the street toward me.
I wonder if you are the one who will offer mercy - who will offer some kindness.
But then you notice me.
Your pace quickens. Something on your phone is suddenly of ultimate importance.
Just like everyone else, you rush by and don't notice me.
. . .
I'm sitting on the grass in the park - minding my own business this time.
I don't even notice you approach me, until your shadow casts shade over me.
Looking up I realize that you're not here to be kind. You're here to judge me again.
. . .
But the truth is neither of you know my story. And neither of you care to learn it as you walk past. You see the way I look and make assumptions about me and about my story.
. . .
Jesus offered mercy to the people in need He passed by.
He healed lepers - outcasts of society.
He spoke to a Samaritan woman - a woman from a race most Jews avoided.
He healed blind men, paralyzed men, those possessed by demons.
Mercy was a part of every day, every moment of Jesus' life. He knew the importance of offering mercy and He modelled it for us.
If mercy is so important, then why do we have such a difficult time with it? Why do we find it so difficult to offer mercy - to offer kindness and help - to those we run into who are in need?
Sitting on a bench on the sidewalk. I see you walking down the street toward me.
I wonder if you are the one who will offer mercy - who will offer some kindness.
But then you notice me.
Your pace quickens. Something on your phone is suddenly of ultimate importance.
Just like everyone else, you rush by and don't notice me.
. . .
I'm sitting on the grass in the park - minding my own business this time.
I don't even notice you approach me, until your shadow casts shade over me.
Looking up I realize that you're not here to be kind. You're here to judge me again.
. . .
But the truth is neither of you know my story. And neither of you care to learn it as you walk past. You see the way I look and make assumptions about me and about my story.
. . .
Jesus offered mercy to the people in need He passed by.
He healed lepers - outcasts of society.
He spoke to a Samaritan woman - a woman from a race most Jews avoided.
He healed blind men, paralyzed men, those possessed by demons.
Mercy was a part of every day, every moment of Jesus' life. He knew the importance of offering mercy and He modelled it for us.
If mercy is so important, then why do we have such a difficult time with it? Why do we find it so difficult to offer mercy - to offer kindness and help - to those we run into who are in need?
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Worship
It may be Saturday, but I'm joining in on Five Minute Friday a day late this week. Usually we join in over at Lisa-Jo baker's blog for five minutes of writing on the given word for the week. No editing or over-thinking what you write. This week the post is over at (in)courage and the word is "worship."What do you think of when you hear the word worship?
Standing between pews at church singing songs?
That might be the way we have often viewed worship. But it is so much more.
Worship is about the way we live. It's something that encompasses our every moment. It should be more than just something we do once a week.
We can worship God as we go through each day. The sunshine on our faces. The rain fall. The beauty of the world around us. There is so much reason to worship God at all times.
Worship is a way of life. Not something we go to once a week.
What do you think of when you hear the word worship?
Friday, August 23, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Last
It's that time again. Joining in with Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. Five minutes of writing on a given word. No overthinking or major editing. Just sharing what comes in those five minutes of writing. This week's word is "last."
It was that time again.
Her least favourite time of all.
They were picking teams for kickball on the playground.
"Please don't let me be the last one picked again." She prayed silently. No one wants to be the last one left.
She was always the last one chosen. And it always made her feel like she wasn't valued. Like nobody cared if she was there or not.
She was waiting for the team captains to choose who they wanted. The number of people standing with her slowly dwindled. Until that dreaded moment . . .
Only two people were left. Her and another girl. Neither of them wanted to be the last one left. Being the last one left means you weren't really chosen. The team you ended up on was really just stuck with you.
Like usual she was the last one left. Everyone else was chosen. She was just the last person left behind that one team got stuck with.
Later that day as she was walking home, she was down about always being the last one left. Maybe she just wouldn't even try to play next time they were picking teams. It might be easier to just avoid that situation altogether.
But as she walked, she heard a voice speak inside her heart. "They may not have chosen you. But I did."
She knew that all from Sunday school. She had heard it all before. But this was the first time it was personal. The first time she knew it was being said to her.
God was speaking to her. God was bringing healing to her heart. In His world, she wasn't last. In His eyes, she wasn't the last one loved or chosen. He wasn't stuck with her. He chose her first. That was a game-changer.
It was that time again.
Her least favourite time of all.
They were picking teams for kickball on the playground.
"Please don't let me be the last one picked again." She prayed silently. No one wants to be the last one left.
She was always the last one chosen. And it always made her feel like she wasn't valued. Like nobody cared if she was there or not.
She was waiting for the team captains to choose who they wanted. The number of people standing with her slowly dwindled. Until that dreaded moment . . .
Only two people were left. Her and another girl. Neither of them wanted to be the last one left. Being the last one left means you weren't really chosen. The team you ended up on was really just stuck with you.
Like usual she was the last one left. Everyone else was chosen. She was just the last person left behind that one team got stuck with.
Later that day as she was walking home, she was down about always being the last one left. Maybe she just wouldn't even try to play next time they were picking teams. It might be easier to just avoid that situation altogether.
But as she walked, she heard a voice speak inside her heart. "They may not have chosen you. But I did."She knew that all from Sunday school. She had heard it all before. But this was the first time it was personal. The first time she knew it was being said to her.
God was speaking to her. God was bringing healing to her heart. In His world, she wasn't last. In His eyes, she wasn't the last one loved or chosen. He wasn't stuck with her. He chose her first. That was a game-changer.
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