Next

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

I’m remembering a quote from a book suggesting that when you’re stumped and don’t know which way to turn or what to do next: The next right thing by Emily D. Freeman. No need to have a large scale 5-year plan; just do the next right thing.

Mallard Duck – Riverside Park, Michigan

This comes as a huge relief (and surprise) to someone like me who prefers “all her ducks in a row.” Appointments scheduled, tasks on the calendar in advance are paramount to me. Surprises/last minute plans don’t work well for me! But maybe this offer presents a good theory. Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: Let Go & Let God.

Just maybe by pausing, listening to the silence, turning off electronic devices including music, removing myself from all distractions, I can hear from the Holy Spirit and be at peace. I can then learn what the next right thing for me might be. It’s certainly worth an honest try! Don’t look for me—I plan to be in a closed conference for a while.

Let me know if you try this and how it works. I’m eager to hear back from you.

“Speak, for your servant is listening,” 1 Samuel 3:10.

*****

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.  Join me and others as we reflect on, and write about one word each week for only 5 minutes.

Place

/2 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Trying to find my place in this whole big world. I feel I’ve been trying to do this my entire life. Where is my rightful place? From the beginning, I was the oldest of three siblings. My younger sister came two and a half months later; then my brother years later. I don’t remember a time when it was just me. Then I married young, as a teenager, not long after graduating from high school. I went from under my dad’s wing to under my husband’s wing.

Children came quickly. I learned I was again pregnant when our first delightful baby boy was only 3 months old. Shocker of shockers! But then our smiley, lovable daughter came to us 9 months later.

Caring for two little ones took up the majority of my time. When they became school age, I researched for a long time trying to discern God’s will. We chose a combination of parochial and public schooling. When homeschooling began to become more well known, I chose to be a home school teacher to first our ADHD child, and then later to our daughter.

Now both children are out of the house—empty nesters. At first, I was thrilled to think of no more chauffeuring back and forth, fees for various events, and out of my hands now. But that’s not true. Once a mother; always a mother! Then came precious grandchildren. So now, I add long-distance Nana under my titles. Which I love being a Nana, but hate the long-distance part of the equation. I like the saying: Grandparenting is a chance to make right the mistakes you made with your own kids.

Daughter, sister, wife, mom, homeschool teacher, coach, referee, driver, mother of the groom, writer, Nana. Now back to just wife, writer. Where is my place now? I feel displaced and exhausted. With all the roles, I’ve been handed in the past, where do I fit in now? My energy level and zeal has waned.

Life seems to happen to me and there’s precious little time for doing what I’d like to do—what I feel I was called to do years ago. To write another book sounds like a monumental task. Yet, I feel the story is in me. The story needs to be told for further generations, don’t you think?

God planted the story within me along this journey called life. To not tell the story would be wrong. Tell my children and grandchildren what God has been teaching me along the way. Hoping they will excel and not make the same mistakes I did growing up. Maybe this is my place now.

As I think of other family relations, Timothy was a much better person and follower of the Lord because of his grandmother and mother. Paul (an apostle in the Bible) tells us in the first chapter of 2nd Timothy:

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

*****

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.  Join me and others as we reflect on, and write about one word each week for only 5 minutes.

 

Potential

/12 Comments/in , , , /by

Five-Minute Friday – POTENTIAL         apples

“You have such great Potential!” Reminds me of a classic response from a teacher. You don’t have to say the student is good at any one particular subject matter, but that she has potential to be good at such & such. Maybe it’s a way of sugar-coating the fact that the student is either lazy, unmotivated, almost there, but not quite.

God tells us in His word over and over that we have great potential. Only he sincerely means what He says! We have such great potential because you and I are created in His image. And how can He be wrong, misguided, or tell a lie. None of those attributes can be connected with a loving heavenly Father.

He tells me he loves me, cares for, and wants only the best for me and my life. How can I not love and trust someone who only has my best interests in mind? A daughter of the Most High King. What more potential could one ask for? I know of no higher compliment than this. Lord. I don’t want you to be ashamed of me. Help me to strive to know you more and serve you better in this upcoming new month and season.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

*****

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up!

The prompt this week is: Potential

The assignment: Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.

Complete

/4 Comments/in , , , , , , , , /by

Five-Minute Friday – COMPLETE                 

You need a man to complete you
After all, without a man—you’re only 1
Now that you have a man,
You need a child or 2.
After 2 children—
Well, now you’re complete.

I’m tired, busy, broke,
But do I feel complete?
Content, yet weary, most days
When day is done—I ask myself,
There must be more, isn’t there?
Family, work, church, friends—
What more could I desire?

That God-shaped hole in all of us appeared.
Something felt backwards.
As dearly as I love my children, grandchildren, family, friends, home …
My priorities were messed up.
Circumstances showed me the proper order:
God, spouse, family and friends, then work and so on.
A man, child, home or pet does not make me complete.
Only God can fill my every longing deep within my soul.
I stand complete in Him!!!

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you

*****

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up!
The prompt this week is: Complete
The assignment: Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.

Crowd

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

It’s that time again!

Time for Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is where you free write for five minutes on the selected prompt! This week’s prompt is Crowd! Ready. Go!

Five-Minute Friday – CROWD                                       

I don’t much like a crowd. Even if the crowd is composed of people I know. But especially I don’t care for large crowds of people I know very few of them. Claustrophobia sets in uninvited. The walls shrink. I begin to perspire and become thirsty. Then there’s always diseases to think about. Right now, cold and flu season is upon us which is early this year. It’s only September; what’s up with that? Nothing worse than being miserably cooped up in a room with a drippy nose or needing to stay close to the throne for fear of an accident.

Maybe this goes hand in hand with not appreciating a crowd, but I don’t go for small talk either. I much prefer sitting down and chatting one on one with someone. This makes me feel special and them too. There’s only so many minutes in a day, week, month, my life that I feel I’m wasting those minutes by small talking in a crowded room. Often, I cannot even catch every word they say due to the noise.

Jesus had to endure the crowds. Throngs of people invaded His space continually. I do remember that on several occasions, He stepped away. Sometimes hid away to spend precious one on one time with His Heavenly Father. If He needed this alone time; how much more do I need time away from crowds and constant contact with others? Lord, give me the courage and wisdom to pull away on occasion before I unravel. Thank you.

*****

Loyal

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: LOYAL            

Loyal. When I think of the word loyal, I hope that other people think of me as loyal. I consider loyal to be a person who sticks to their word; doesn’t hedge or change their mind mid-stream. This person can be counted on when the chips are down, and you need a helping hand. Maybe they would help physically or emotionally. Sometimes it means praying for that person or their circumstance. Being present physically when they need you most.

I have a few loyal friends and family members. Those whom I can count on with words of encouragement, someone who “has my back.” When I need to cry, explode, or just plain vent, these gals will listen. Even if they’re in the middle of something else, they are there for me. If not in person, then on the phone talking or e-mail or text message. They aren’t too busy for me or ask me to call back another time. Available. Honest. Sincere. Accountability. And Wisdom. These are special quality traits I find in my loyal friends and family members. What separates these individuals from the rest of my world. My go-to buddies. Sure wouldn’t want to go through life without them! Thanking God that they are here for me.

*****

Loved

/4 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: LOVED

Go and TELL

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Today my Five Minute Free Writing prompt is: TELL     apples

Go and TELL. What is it that I need to TELL? Who do I need to TELL? Those are questions that need to be answered before I can go and TELL. I have within me Good News. Good News about the One who created me, died for me, and rose again. I can TELL of His awesomeness. His self-sacrificial entire life while here on earth and beyond. When I keep the secret to myself, there are many who remain untold, clueless, and without hope. I don’t want to be a person who withholds information because I’m too busy or afraid of what others may think of me should I share with them the hope that lies within me.

As I think forward, who in my life remains untold? Who within my reach does not know of this free gift offered by the Creator of the Universe? Jesus, John the Baptist who came before Him, His disciples, etc., all were bold in declaring the Gospel. If they can be a witness, so can you and I (Mark 1).

Speak to me Lord. As I walk this path, who did you put in my path that needs to hear about You today? Here I am, Lord, send me.

Thoughts to ponder; questions to consider:

  • Where should I go today?
  • Whom would You have me speak to, be a witness to this day?

*****

Supply and Demand

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:19.     

Do I really believe that He will supply all my needs; some of my needs; a few of my needs? Which is it? There’s a huge difference between meeting/supplying all, some, or just a few of my needs. Where do you stand in this conundrum?

Do I say I believe and then continue on in my own way operating within my own agenda? Seems to me if I believe those words in Philippians 4:19 that peace and rest would be the result. Worry, distress, discord, and doubt would exist far, far away from me.

I recently attended Breathe Christian Writers Conference for the first time. The conference had been on my radar screen for years, but the opportunity didn’t present itself until this year. It took a short time upon entering the doors to KNOW that I was in the right place at the right time. His time; His place; with encouraging like-minded people surrounding me. A haven and sanctuary awaited me. My mind, body, and soul became infused with inspiration, motivation, information, and a burning desire to write my story. Even if my story is messy, unorganized, unorthodox—it is My Story. The story God gave me and expects me to share. You see, I am witness to the fact that He does meet all my/your needs. He prompted me to follow through with registration, planning, and showing up. You show up and God will supply the rest. I can vouch for that!

His storehouse appears to be plentiful. No shortage of positive items to dish out such as grace, peace, and mercy. I need only ask and in asking believe the riches will be mine.

Thoughts to ponder; questions to consider:

  • How about you? What needs do you have in your life right now?
  • Do you believe that God can supply those desires for you? If so, what thoughts and prayers need to be on your lips and in your heart?

*****

WORSHIP – what does it mean to You?

/0 Comments/in /by

Today my Five Minute Free Writes prompt is: WORSHIP

Today is traditionally the day of Worship. The day we get dressed up, clean up, pack our families in the car (hopefully with not too much yelling done on the ride to church) and file in a semi-organized manner into a place of worship—or church/synagogue/mosque. You may hear various genres of music featured by a choir, orchestra, or praise band. Maybe there will be no instruments.           

At the front of the gathering, a man of the “cloth” may stand in front of you. He/she may be dressed in a suit and tie, casual attire, or a robe and lapels with varied designs. However you choose and wherever you choose to get together on a Sunday morning or Saturday night, Scripture should be the main attraction. It shouldn’t be about the latest style of dress or how old the stained-glass windows are or where they came from, or who donated what within the four walls.

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25).

Some may say Worship can be done in the great outdoors among trees, flowers, or by the water’s edge. I’m not here to discuss where or who leads what, but there is one key element that cannot be ignored wherever Worship is exercised. The God of the Universe must take preeminence in the discussion. His teachings, parables, commands from the Bible need to be the focus. People groups, community awareness, or human agenda shouldn’t be the main directive.

More importantly, how can I push to a deeper relationship with my God—the one who sacrificially died, rose again for me and you, and now sits on the throne. Consider asking yourself these questions.

  • How are you preaching/living out the life-saving Gospel to your family and neighbor? Does your talk match your walk?
  • Name a few ways that you are loving your neighbor.

I’d love to dialog with you about your thoughts.

*****