Five Minute Friday: Beyond

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with Lisa-Jo Baker -- Tales of a Gypsy Mama, who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is BEYOND, and here's my best five minutes . . . .

READY, SET, GO!

Beyond can be so many things:

Beyond the horizon. 

Beyond mile marker 267.

Beyond the here and now.

And on and on.

But today, for me, beyond is about my own expectations.

Yes, I set my expectations so high they are often beyond my own grasp, my own reach.  And why would you do that to yourself?

As I ponder it, I know God's expectations are many for each of us, but beyond my grasp, my reach -- NEVER!  He sees me as His child and believes that I can be expected to perform beyond His expectations.

God's love for me, and His joy in me, make me His very own, if I am willing.  And that willingness brings me to a level of attempting to go beyond His expectations for me.

Often His are no easier to reach than the ones I set for myself, but God's intention in setting His expectations sometimes beyond my grasp, my reach are to insert me into a new experience of discipleship, mission, ministry.

How about you?  Has God ever set His expectations beyond your grasp or reach?

Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.

Psalm 26:2 (NIV)

(Scripture added after 5 minutes.)

Five Minute Friday: Enough!

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with Lisa-Jo Baker -- Tales of a Gypsy Mama, who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is ENOUGH, and here's my best five minutes . . . .

READY, SET, GO!

"Enough is ENOUGH!" my mother would scream at us.

"I've had ENOUGH," I'd cry at the table when told to clean my plate.

"That's ENOUGH" our teacher would say as we misbehaved.

A word heard by every human being walking the face of the earth!

But what really is ENOUGH?

Simply put, God is my enough.

Some days I might consider the necessities of life, or what I presume to be necessities and be tempted to go shopping.  It doesn't take long for me to become one bored individual.  I don't really like shopping and I just thought I needed to shop.  That's because shopping isn't enough.

Another day I might spend my time searching for something to satisfy -- perhaps my sewing and quilting, reading a good historical novel, chatting with friends online.  But satisfied I'm not!  Why?  Because these things aren't enough.

Only GOD is enough to make me sense peace, feel unconditionally loved, feel comforted when I'm hurting, fed when I'm hungry for something more than this world can give.
 
After all He tells us so in 2 Cor. 12:9, as found in The Message:

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Photo credit

 Images and Scripture verse added after 5 minutes was up.

Five Minute Friday: Have I Got a Story to Tell!

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with Lisa-Jo Baker -- Tales of a Gypsy Mama, who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is STORY, and here's my best five minutes . . . .

READY, SET, GO!


How many times has someone said to you, "Have I got a STORY to tell!"

And you're reaction may have been, "Oh, no, here we go again!"

But think about it -- we've all got stories to tell.  We just don't always preface our stories with such an announcement.

As I thought about Lisa-Jo's word for today, I began to think about my story.  Well, actually that would be STORIES!

There are my mamahood stories.  Then my single parenting stories after the divorce stories.

My stories about working as a legal secretary for some 30 plus years.  Oh, all the soccer, T-ball, swimming, football stories.

And the stories of finding Mr. Right and marrying him, and now the stories of our glorious almost 31 years together.  In between all of that, the stories of our children's marriages, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren.

That's a lot of stories!

But there's one story so much more important than all of these . . . . it's the story of a loving Father who looked down on His creation and saw people who needed Him and His loving grace.  The Father who gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our salvation.

Now, that's a STORY!

STOP!

Attribution

Five Minute Friday: Life Is Risky!

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with Lisa-Jo Baker -- Tales of a Gypsy Mama, who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is RISK, and here's my best five minutes . . . .

READY, SET, GO!


LIFE IS RISKY! . . .
When I saw the word "risk," I thought what can I write about risk.  I'm definitely NOT a risk taker, don't know anything about risk.


Then I thought again -- life is about risk, it's risky business!

I wake up in the morning not knowing what lies ahead.  But I plant my feet on the floor and face the day.

I got married -- twice!  Each time taking a risk.  The first time was riskier than I could have believed.  I thought I was loved, but I wasn't.

To marry a second time was really taking a risk.  And after 31 years, the risk has been proven not to be so risky after all.

Then during that first marriage, I (note I said "I") decided a baby could perhaps save a failing marriage.  Talk about taking a risk!  Husband No. 1 had no capacity to love and asking him to be a father was a risk, and our marriage deteriorated further.

Being a mom was risky.  What did I know?  Everybody said, "Oh, it comes naturally!"  But I'd had a dysfunctional childhood.  Would I be able to set that aside and do parenting the way it should be done.  Another risk taken.

I guess I'll have to restate my first thought, "Yes, I am a taker of risks.  After all, life itself is risky!

STOP!

Attribution

Five Minute Friday: Path

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with The Gypsy Mama (Lisa Jo), who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is PATH.
 




GO!

A favorite path of mine runs along Black Hawk Creek in Neskowin, OR.

The path sits just outside our condo and depending on my choice, it will take me one of two places.

I can either take the path into a cluster of small homes and cottages that back up to the coast line, OR

I can walk toward the sand, rocks and the roaring of the waves in the Pacific Ocean.

How to choose?  Usually it depends on my mood and whether or not I'm alone or with my husband.

Kind of like the path God sets before me sometimes.  He chooses the path, and then I must choose whether to follow that God-given path.

The path is sometimes hard to follow because God's choosing isn't always my  path.  My path, hah!  Whatever made me say that or think about that.  Because often my path is selected by my desire to be in charge.  Wrong path, God says, and I shrug my shoulders and don't follow.

Not following His chosen path for me doesn't always mean immediate consequences but in the end, I can see the error of my heading down my chosen path -- it's not as smooth and filled with love.  It has a bumpy surface while God's chosen path for me would likely have been easier.

STOP!

Linking up with 

What Expectation?

It's Friday morning and time to meet up with The Gypsy Mama (Lisa Jo), who spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is EXPECTATION.
 




GO!

When I divorced in 1973, I became a single mom raising a bubbly, cute boy of almost three on my own.  I worked as a legal secretary to keep our lives together, and it meant I had very little time to parent this sweet child.

Despite the hardness of my lot, I never dreamed or expected to marry again.  I was done with men!  No more!  I railed at God for my lost dream the first time around.  Why would I try again?

But, as they say, time heals all wounds.  Fast forward to March 1981 and a tall, handsome man in our church wanders into our lives.  "Don't even think about it," I told myself.  "You'll get hurt again."

Attribution

"Not so fast," whispered in my ear.  God seemed to have other plans.  He seemed to know more than I did about what was expected in my life.

On August 15, 1981, I married that tall, handsome man, and have spent almost 31 years feeling as cherished as the wife in Ephesians.

Oftentimes our expectations and dare we say our plans aren't the same as God's plans and expectations for us.

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives,
exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. 

Ephesians 5:25 (MSG)

STOP!

Note:  Images and Scripture added after five minutes was up.

Linking up with 

Opportunity Knocks!

On Fridays it's always fun to join with the group over at The Gypsy Mama's to write for five minutes on a word picked randomly by Lisa-Jo, THE Gypsy Mama.  I'm off to write about "opportunity."  Won't you join us?



READY, SET, GO!

Opportunity knocks!  A phrase we've all heard before.  But I like to look on it more often than not as God nudging, whispering, sitting on my shoulder.

It's happened a lot lately.  The phone ringing, a knock on my heart, the pull between home and travel.  Receiving late night calls that your family needs you are never easy, but to throw your clothing in a suitcase and grab everything you might need for who knows how long sends your heart into double pulsing.

Last week was one of those weeks.  And it ended not so well.  But each time a call has come we've seized the opportunity to answer God's call to help family.  And just as things seem to be calming down and settling into a normal pace . . . . .

The phone rang.  Yesterday.  Our son and his wife were here for a short visit, and there was the clanging of the phone.

A young woman in our church was lining up fall workers for our LOGOS program.  I've volunteered in LOGOS before but stepped down when the family needs stepped up.  Would I like to sign up for this next year?

I paused.  Took a long slow breath before I started to say, "No, not this year."  And then there it was . . . .

Opportunity!  I paused a little longer.  Offered up a quick prayer.  I knew that subs were often needed to table parent and also to help in a short class time.  Yes, God, I'll seize that opportunity!

What did I just say?  I said YES!  I can't pass up on one of His offered gifts to connect with others and tell His story, especially to young ones.  Opportunities don't come along all that often and should be seized when possible.  You'll receive something out of taking that next step out of your box!

"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock.
If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right inand sit down to supper with you. . ."

Revelations 3:20 (MSG)

(Could you pass up this opportunity?)

Attribution

 

STOP! (Scripture and any images added after the 5 minutes were up.)

What's My True Identity?

On Friday mornings, The Gypsy Mama (Lisa Jo) spreads a feast before us consisting of a challenge:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today's word is IDENTITY.
 



GO!

What is my true identity?  As my blog name implies, I'm not just a name.  I'm many things.  A daughter, a sister, a wife and mom, now grandma and great-grandma.  A servant, nurturer, mentor, volunteer.  A writer, blogger, quilter, knitter, reader.  So many things.

But when others see me they recall my name first, if they know me.  And many know that I'm all these things.

What about others who don't know me so well?  What do they see?  Who might they think I am?

I'm hopeful it's the one true identity I've not yet mentioned -- Child of God, believer, Christian, follower.

Yes, that's who I hope they see or might soon see as they get to know me.  That is the true identity of who I am and what makes me all those other things I listed above.

My true identity is what God calls me to be.  My identity was paid for by His son dying on the cross.  Blood was shed for me, so that I might be a Child of God whose sins were already covered.

 

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love,
as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

~Ephesians 5:1-2

STOP!

Images and verses added after the 5 minutes was up.

Image credit:  LuxeFinds

Real -- Five-Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama

On Fridays it's always fun to join with the group over at The Gypsy Mama's to write for five minutes on a word picked randomly by Lisa-Jo, THE Gypsy Mama.  I'm off to write about "real."  Won't you join us?





READY, SET, GO!

When I was asked to be a Mothers of Preschoolers mentor mom, I questioned my ability to meet the qualifications, one of which was being authentic.  I studied the word "authentic" and understood it meant to "be real."  Could I be real with moms sometimes 40 years or more my junior?  I prayed, and I've tried, and I'll try again this morning. When opportunities present themselves, I must tell my moms how things happened for me -- I need to let them see the real side of motherhood, womanhood and life.

REAL means baring the skeletal part of my being a woman, a mom, a nurturer, and caregiver for my children and grandchildren.  Sharing the most disgusting times, the hurtful times, the joyous times.  Making sure each mom knew I had been there, done that, whatever it was she was faced with and struggling to understand.

Yes, I have changed my share of dirty, sometimes really nasty diapers.  Everyone who has knows this is REAL.

And I have cleaned up vomit from bedsheets, floors, car seats, patios, babies, myself, someone else -- REAL stuff!

I have to admit that I was hurt by my first husband who had no capacity for love either for me or our son.  REAL hurt comes in a divorce sometimes.  And mine did.

Yes, I have experienced REAL joy and love from my son and my family who supported me as a single mom for almost 11 years.

And I experienced the REAL love of God when he brought me face-to-face with my second husband of almost 31 years now, who became for my son an example, a friend, a dad.

REAL is who we are, where we are, how we are in the face of God and all those around us.  To hide our REAL is to hide what God has made us to be, helped us to encounter and face down, and to embrace and feel joy, love and goodness.

I love being REAL!

STOP!!!

Together -- Five-Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama

Today is 5-Minute Friday with Lysa-Jo over at The Gypsy Mama.  This is when we write for 5 minutes solid on a word or phrase -- great practice for those who love to write.  Today's word is together.  So, here I 

GO!

They're out there.  In warm homes bustling around getting kiddos ready for school.  Or maybe the kiddos are too young yet for school.  Preschoolers who need dressing and help brushing hair and their teeth.

Busy mamas already, they rush through their days hoping for a moment's relaxation.  Some have multiples -- plus singles -- making for truly hectic days and nights.

Some of them are new mamas just learning the ropes of motherhood.  When you see them, they look a little bleary-eyed, circles under their beautiful eyes.  And maybe lately, not so polished in their appearance.  They'll learn balance as time goes by.
 
But today they're moving quickly because it's Friday.  And it's the third Friday in April.  And the mamas I'm thinking of belong to our local chapter of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).  Some of them sit at the Patience Table, the table of eight moms I mentor.  They've been patiently waiting for this morning.

Table Group at one of our meetings

Connecting through group activities

It's where we come together to encourage and love each other in mothering.  Parenting isn't easy, but especially it's often lonesome and hard for mamas.  Some have chosen to be stay-at-home moms, a high calling in my opinion.  Staying at home can get lonely.  You can feel like an island in a land of little people.  Coming together is about building community and at MOPS we do that intentionally -- arranging moms' nights out, playdates on the weeks we don't meet, and gatherings of our table groups outside regularly scheduled meetings.

Still it is coming together -- just the way Jesus brought people together in a variety of ways as he taught them to love one another.  Togetherness is about loving one another.

STOP!

Images added after 5 minutes. 

Photo credits:
Top -- Green And Clean Mom 
Bottom -- For Catholic Educators 

Five-Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama: Gift

I love Five-Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama.  It gets my creative juices flowing.  It makes me free write for five minutes flat out about something.  Today the word is "gift."

GO!

Gift isn't hard to write about.  There are so many around me!  I think of our new great-grandson, Everett, a peach of a little fellow.  Now four months old.  A gift from God he is.

Then there's his big sister, Kylie, now three.  What a cutie she is!  Full of the joy of colors, especially pink and purple, dolls and books, coloring pictures.  A gift from God she is.

My husband, Bob.  Truly my gift from God.  Bob has been my partner, my friend, my lover for almost 31 years.  Through it all, he has been by my side.  He has cared for me through

seven, or is it eight, surgeries in the last decade.  He never complained.

A gift from God he is.

Then there are our children, Craig, Suzanne and Steve.  What more can parents ask for than three children grown, out in the world doing their jobs and growing families.  

And with them come the grandchildren -- Kory, Michael, Tyler and Alyssa.  Life has been filled with gifts, all from God.

The gift of springtime every year.  Filled with brilliant colors of blooming flowers and trees, the promise held in blue skies and sunlight, and the thought of fresh produce soon. 

And then there is the best gift of all -- the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ.  

Sacrificed to die a brutal death on the cross for the sins of the world.  Yes, our sins.

  How can I not rejoice over this gift?  

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
I John 2:2 (NIV)

STOP!

Scripture verse and images added after the five minutes was finished.

Linking up with Gypsy Mama this morning.  Want you join us?

Everything Feels So Empty

Today I'm linking up with Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday.  I don't usually post on Fridays, but recently I've been trying to work on freewriting and opportunities like Five Minute Friday provide that arena for me.  When I saw the word "empty" on Gypsy Mama's post, I knew right away I had to write today!

Go.

Everything feels so empty.  Our family has recently been slammed with a diagnosis of an illness in my husband's brother that has devastated us.  We've been travelling recently to Jim and Helen's home about five hours away to help with downsizing as they prepare to move.  Jim's health requires this move, as Helen can't keep the pace caring for him and their home too.

As they point to what we should take for ourselves, an emptiness pervades the room.  How can we take what has been their treasure?  How can we not pay them something for a piece so valuable?  And yet, they insist.  We come home with boxes of their treasures to unpack, some to keep, some to pass on to other family, some to donate somewhere.  Everything feels empty, like we're pouring all the water from the pitcher.  

Jim's illness is emptying him out too.  He was diagnosed a year ago with Parkinson's but last week we learned from a specialist that it's Parkinson's with Lewy body dementia.  The dementia has attacked Jim's mind like a freight train without brakes.  The person we knew is gone, empty of much thought and recognition.  How can it be this man is becoming empty?  Or is he?  We don't know.

But God's promise is that with him in our lives we will never be empty.  If that's so, how is it we feel empty, we see empty, we sense empty?  It's because there will always be trials and tribulations, sorrows and grief, struggles that cause us to feel empty.  Yet, if we reach for God's hand and love, we will be filled again and again, and capable of moving forward away from the emptiness.

"'Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone
who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.'"
John 7:38 (The Message)

Stop.

[Images and verses added after 5 minutes.]

Photo credit:  www.ecoki.com

See you over at Gypsy Mama's for Five Minute Friday.  Give it a try!