START TRY (playing a game) not to laugh not to cry not to blink TRY (doing something kind) saying something nice being positive playing well with others doing something nice for someone — “just because” TRY (doing something hard) speaking to a stranger comforting my enemy standing up for the forgotten forgiving without being asked laughing at myself loving someone different from me not judging not being rude not ignoring people in need TRY (the unnatural) to think more of others than myself TRY to make today a good day! STOP Won't you join ... Keep Reading...
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INVITE: Free Write Day 13
START When I hit "publish" on a blog post, I'm sending an invitation. You—and anyone else who happens upon this blog—is invited to spend time here. I love it when you do! But hitting "publish" is sometimes scary. It's like inviting guests to come to dinner, then cooking a fine meal and putting out the best china. Will they come . . . or will they have other plans? If they come, will they enjoy the meal? Will the conversation flow easily or will it be difficult? Every time I invite you here, I risk criticism, self-doubt, second thoughts . . . because each time I extend the invitation, I'm inviting you into my inner sanctum. I'm giving you a peek at who I am — ... Keep Reading...
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WRITE: Free Write Day 12
Wow. We’re already more than a third of the way through this 31-day free-write exercise. Thanks for sticking with me! I’m finding some days are easier than others . . . START Some people express themselves through music or art. I write. When I feel the need to put my deepest thoughts into some kind of order, I write. Unguarded. Spill-it-all prayers in a prayer journal. Letters to the grandsons — for their "someday" reading. Revealing blog posts. Writing is therapeutic. Sometimes it’s the only way to quiet the whirling thoughts in my mind; the only way to bring order to chaos. After an all-in writing session, I feel my pulse slow and my spirit ... Keep Reading...
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REMEMBER: Free Write Day 11
START How I’d love to hear their stories! The couple in this picture has lived long enough to have a lifetime of memories — some good, some bad. Same for us, no matter our age. Life dishes out both hard times and ones we’d like to remain in “forever”. But Life keeps moving us forward, and how we respond to the ebb and flow of it is a choice we have to make. It’s easy to focus on the hard times, the “what ifs”, and the “could’ve beens”. But I’d rather take my cue from the wisdom and joy I see in these wrinkled smiles: Choose joy! Choose to focus on the beauty, the happiness, the positive memories. The entirety of our lives make us who we ... Keep Reading...
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LISTEN: Free Write Day 10
When it’s “bottom line” time, I need to listen. Only then will I know when to keep my mouth shut or when to speak up. When to speak Truth or pray for wisdom. When to love quietly or with a voice that condemns. Only after I listen to the voice of the One who sees the big picture, knows a situation’s every detail, loves without prejudice. Only after I listen . . . will I understand perfect love. Only after I listen . . . can I be used to love others as He loves me. Those words were ones I wrote recently in this post. They ring true especially now as I reflect on today's word-prompt. START Tonight is Church Street Cafe. Men and women, boys and ... Keep Reading...
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PLAN: Free Write Day 9
START After much discussion and prayer, the plan emerged: Downsize our life — to upsize our faith (I blogged about that plan. Click the words above to read it.) Put our old house on the market Declutter Move into a rent house Design our house Confirm a builder Build a farmhouse at the farm Last December — two-and-a-half years after putting it on the market — our house finally sold. I wrote my goodbye letter. But there were no rentals available, so we went to Plan B and purchased a used fifth wheel and moved it to the farm. Let the Adventure begin. Same gorgeous views and sunsets! The house design was completed (although with much more difficulty than ... Keep Reading...
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TRUTH: Free Write Day 8
START We share an experience, you and I. But if someone asks us about it, our stories will often differ. Why? You have your version; I have mine. Somewhere in the middle — somewhere between the two stories — lies the truth. What really happened. It’s not that you or I are lying. It’s that we each interpret the story based on our own life experiences. We each have a filter that overlays everything we experience. So is truth real? Is there such thing as absolute truth? I believe there is. We are created in the image of God. Jesus loves us unconditionally — enough to die for you and me. Loving our neighbors is the way to ... Keep Reading...
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HOLD: Free Write Day 7
START In my small-town community there is a group of people who has been meeting together for 150 years. The current group—and their ancestors before them—believe in the importance of being neighborly, in the biblical sense — and in the Southern sense as well. As this post publishes, I’ll be blessed to be part of that group today as the church I attend holds its 24th annual Yard Sale for Missions. Renaissance Man and I preparing and serving lunch at the Catfish Kitchen, but that’s off-topic. :-) This group of people has been my church family for the past three years. We’re a small congregation, but (while we may run the gamut of theological interpretation) we all hold dear the importance of ... Keep Reading...
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STORY: Free Write Day 6
START We all have a story. One of my favorites began 5.5 years ago after what seemed an eternity of waiting. Our Little Sir (second grandson) was born, and the addition of another little boy in our world was beyond thrilling. Last night, I got to FaceTime with this little one and his big brother. It was a special “happy birthday” call to this Nonna, and I loved it! You see, those boys and I, we love reading stories, making up stories, telling stories. Most of all, I love watching their stories unfold. Last night, Little Sir spontaneously broke into song as “Happy Birthday to You…” poured out of his little self. He loves music and singing, but he does NOT like to perform, ... Keep Reading...
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TRUST: Free Writes Day 5
START TRUST: It’s a hard concept these days. Who can you trust? People say one thing — and do another. Someone says they’ve got your back — then stabs you in it. Trusting sometimes feels like a free-fall . . . and I don’t like free-falls. Trust involves 100% letting go of control in a situation and letting someone else . . . ... Keep Reading...
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HOPE: Free Write Day 4
START Would you rather have less hope — or be hopeless? Hope is a word that evokes all sorts of thoughts, isn’t it? When life is hard, we dig deep to find hope — because otherwise we’d simply quit. And quitting isn’t an option. Hope is the “thing” that lives in our inner beings that spurs us on. I find hope in the seasons of nature (and life) and in the knowledge that the sun will rise and set today — and tomorrow. Ultimately, I find hope in God, the creator of all. Can I physically see his face? No. Can I audibly hear his voice? No. Can I reach out and touch him? No. And yet . . . I see him in a child’s voice, a senior’s wisdom, an unexpected ... Keep Reading...
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CREATE: Free Write Day 3
START I’m a creative. I love the elevated heart rate, the mind-racing thoughts, when I get a new project. Give me a theme and I’ll play all week! At best, I’m a B+ art student, but—if you don’t make me draw—I can manage to pull off a few A+ projects. Original? Not always, but I can sure take an idea an improve upon it — or stretch it a little further — or use it as a jumping-off point. From tablescapes to ornament wreaths to event planning, I wish I could make money playing! Instead, I enjoy the process. Once the spinning thoughts settle, I enjoy the quiet time of creating. The slow, methodical selection of colors, textures, methods. I love seeing the ... Keep Reading...
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TELL: Free Write Day 2
START TELL: It's a word loaded with explosive possibilities. Tell a secret. Tell a lie. Tell a story. The consequences of telling could be grave ones indeed. But to NOT tell? Sometimes grave consequences there, too. I’ve found that telling my story—even the sometimes uncomfortable parts of it—is important. I don’t mean an “airing dirty laundry” telling, but one that shares my humanity and “real” with others. We’re all insecure, aren’t we? We all have things in our stories that are hard to talk about. Sometimes talking isn’t appropriate, but sometimes . . . Sometimes, in just the right setting, telling those parts of our stories is exactly what’s ... Keep Reading...
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INSPIRATION & FAITH Free Writes – for 31 Days!
FAIR WARNING: Today begins the 4th annual 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes hosted by Five Minute Friday. My intent is to post a five-minute free write each day in October. Don’t worry… I’ll still work in seasonal thoughts and decor! This is a once-a-year event (so please don’t unsubscribe). 🙂 If you don’t want to read a day's email, you know where the delete button is. Worship: to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission; as a lover (Webster's Dictionary,1828). ... Keep Reading...
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DEPEND: Five Minute Friday
Autumn is my favorite season; October my favorite month. I can feel my spirit taking a deep breath of hope as cooler temperatures are expected here over the weekend. The weekend. Aaaaaah . . . I'm glad it's Friday—and time for another Five Minute Friday free writing exercise. They stretch me! Try it sometime . . . START My spirit depends on the changing of seasons. I need the cyclic nature that pulls me forward. The Autumn season that reminds me of beauty, even in dead leaves. Life isn’t all springtime and new birth. But in other areas of my life, I’m very independent. I don’t like depending on others, although (lucky for me) my ... Keep Reading...
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ACCEPT: Five Minute Friday
But I don't want to. Please don't make me. This can't be happening! My brain cannot possibly process this situation. I don't like feeling out of control . . . START If we live long enough, we experience a situation that makes our insides want to scream. We cry, we fight, we grieve . . . but ultimately, our only response — at least the only one that lets us get through the situation — ... Keep Reading...
