GIVE! Five Minute Friday

I took another night to sleep on it after peeking at yesterday's prompt. The word is quite fitting for the holiday we just celebrated, but I am hoping my thoughts will bring a fresh perspective to someone out there as it does not go along with the traditional "giving thanks on Thanksgiving" practice. What flowed this morning is how we treat others, a reminder I need to give myself time and time again.

Generous and

Interested

Very much in

Everyone's well being

Years ago I read that when you truly love someone, you want what's best for them. We GIVE out of concern for the people who cross our paths and come into our lives. We GIVE and hopefully we and they are better for it.

Another thought that comes to mind is how we approach new people or strangers. There is a moment even if it be ever so brief to GIVE. Asking them and showing interest in who they are, what they do and like, may seem trivial, but how easy it can be for us to talk about ourselves. We so need need to become others focused. What opportunities we may miss when we aren't.

To see what other are thinking. Check out Kate's blog 

www.katemotaung.com

NOTICE! My Five Minute Friday Blurb

It is Saturday and I am just getting to this, but I took a peek at Kate's website last night to discover the new word and had time to sleep on it. Here are my thoughts today.

Noting

One's observations

Talking about them

In a positive way and

Compassionately can

Encourage and empower others each day

I use the expression, "I noticed......." with my students to reinforce the positive behaviors I see. I need to be watching and catching them acting appropriately.  They need to know what they are doing that's right.  It's something that can be used by anyone in any relationship, even to confront a problem. We can "NOTICE" behaviors that need questioning and more attention.

STOP

www.katemotaung.com

STILL- Five Minute Friday

Satisfied

Taking                              

It

Little by little

Letting things lie


This is another challenging word and concept. We can be "still", not moving and ceasing to strive because we are satisfied, or we can be "still" stuck in the same season or spot resenting it.

I am still single and not always satisfied with that. More often than not, I am not.

I am still a teacher at the same school I've been for more than a decade; satisfied, but also searching now for perhaps something different.

My soul needs to be "still" and know who God truly is. I am "still" seeking.

STOP



www.katemotaung.com

Turn- Five Minute Friday

Another great prompt from Kate. If you'd like to join the party check out www.katemotaung.com

Take what's

Undesirable and

Redeem it

Never looking back at the past again

TURN, TURN, TURN-

There is a season and time to every purpose under heaven.  Turning away from the past and turning over a new leaf takes work. It is a conscious decision. You make something ravishing or leave it undesirable and ugly. It is a choice to turn the worst into the most dazzling.

The question is how?

Life has a habit of handing us lemons. We need to make a choice, but we also need to know the sky can be the limit. To turn over a new leaf is what we all need at some point in time. I am wondering what to TURN and how to redeem.

Reminds me of..................

STOP

More Thoughts on Leaving...FMF

It is a new month and my dad would be 73 tomorrow if he were still here. As I sat in church yesterday listening to an interview with a couple who have adopted four children from the foster care system, I thought of my adopted mom and dad. November is National Adoption Month.

Looking back over the years on the

Endurance shown from 

All those who

Ventured to veer off and

Envelope me with grace & love, shows me others were willing to leave what was familiar and comfortable, in order that more would gain true life.

My adopted mom and dad were willing to LEAVE one town and move to another, which is where they met me.

They were willing to lay aside their own comforts and conveniences to care for me.

They were willing to endure the ups and downs that come with taking in a teenager so that a better life would be possible for me.

Little did they know the fruit that would come forth over twenty years later. Fruit that continues to grow to this day in and through me.

I can look back at the love shown to me.

They were willing to lay so many things aside and endure because God, Jehovah Jireh, called, but not just for me.

Now these questions keep staring back at me-

What and when am I willing to LEAVE?

LEAVE- Another Five Minute Friday

It is Saturday evening and I am getting ready to do the FMF post. Better late than never. I did compose it late Thursday evening, but am just getting around to posting it now. For those of you who are curious to know more, you too can check out the Five Minute Friday Party at the link below.

www.katemotaung.com

This week's prompt is ....

Leave

Laying

Everything

Aside

Veering off to new

Encounters encompassing eternity


Leave can mean so many things to so many from "Leave me alone!" to "Don't Leave me!" or "It's time to leave and move on."

I connected it with last week's prompt "DARE" because leaving can be heart wrenching, freeing, or downright depressing, depending on one's circumstances. I hate leaving and the thought of it. I hate being left, but there are times we all need to LEAVE well enough alone and just move on. May we each be granted the wisdom to know when and how.

What should I leave and where to?

STOP