Collect for Five Minute Friday

Collect yourself, your things, your thoughts

Gather everything in one place

Hold it together

There are so many collections to be had and stored. And they will all wear out just like a garment. In fact, can you think of any collections that have remained totally intact before you or your mom or your grandparents were even born? 

I only know of the Bible, a collection of writings from over 2,000 years ago, and it still holds value for today. The words were spoken, written down and have been shared so many times. The message sticks.

STOP

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, or both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (NASB)

To see what others have collected, check out www.katemotaung.com

Time for Ten at Exploring the Writer's Craft

This morning I had the privilege of participating in a free writer's workshop where we were given ten glorious minutes to write about any topic after reading a mentor text. It impressed upon me even more that I need to make time for that on a daily basis. I need to just stop and clear my head. Here is what I came up with this morning and later revised again and again.

Time for ten minutes
Last night it was five
How often do I do this?
How often do I sigh?

Breathe in deeply, exhale out
Let words flow freely
Time for five or ten is how

Let the ink flow purposely 
moving words through and out
World of work in motion paused
Heart strings resonate now

Don't get this much 
Doesn't come knockin' on my door
Art of stillness in writing
Allows focus and so much more

I am running out of time
Running out of space
Blocking all else out just to write 
Five or ten is what it takes

Phone turned off, beauty sitting still 
Writing what I value, what I love
This really is not new

Again, won't come knockin'
But other voices will
They can wait till I'm done
So for now, I bid them adieu

How much more can I say?
Will I stick to this now?
Perhaps reminders on my i-phone
Can encourage this vow

Stop and write, 
Reflect, look outside
Stillness beckons and woos me
Right now it is LOUD!

My body will thank me
This can help keep me sane
Tick, tick, tick, time's almost up
Time for ten was the frame

Five on Five Minute Friday

I wonder how long it's been since I joined this online community. I don't know if its been five years yet. I will have to look and see. 

Next year it will be five years since my dad passed away which is hard to believe. 

Five is a mile marker, halfway to a decade. They seem to go faster and faster. I am always wanting just five more of something like sleep or time to finish everything.

How I wish everything in the world would pause at 5:00 for five. Maybe I should start that and see if it helps. Take five at 5:00 and think of five great things.

Who, what, when, where and why.

STOP

wwwkatemotaung.com to see what others have come up with for "Five".

Listen- Five Minute Friday

I love to see his flaming, red plumage and bright, orange beak. He is my favorite. Yet I have learned to recognize his tweet; high pitched and very boisterous, at times. As soon as I hear it, I know it is him. He loves to hide in shrubs and tall, dark evergreen trees, so there are many times I can't see him. Yet I know he is there. I know his call.



How often it can be with God's mysterious ways. If we have trained our ears and quieted ourselves enough, we can hear Him. Even if He's not flashing brightly in everyday circumstances, we can learn to follow the voice of the King.

STOP

I Kings 19:11-13 "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here Elijah?' " (NIV)


To see what other have come up with this week check out www.katemotaung.com

More Healing

Sometimes we don't know what needs healing until something breaks. It's easy to keep busy with duties at work or home, but when the busyness halts, what comes floating to the surface? What oozes out? What is heard and seen?

Proverbs 27:17  reads, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." (NASV)

I am so thankful for those people who do that in my life!  They are honest and real with me. Like a bathroom mirror, they can reveal how I come across. Even as I am getting older, I see I am still in need of some sharpening. Nobody's perfect and I have certainly not arrived.

After a long talk with a dear friend last night, I was stimulated to think of three straight to the point questions.

• Does the issue or feeling keep me from fulfilling my everyday responsibilities?
• Does it interfere with my relationships?
• Does it keep me from enjoying life?

If I answer yes to one or more of those questions, the warning lights are flashing.  It's time to put the car in park and take a look underneath.  Healing comes when the truth sets us free. 

Each year I get my car inspected. Every three thousand miles, the oil gets changed. Eventually the tires and brakes need to be replaced. If I don't keep these regular service appointments, it will be sure to break. The day will come when I won't be going anywhere except to the shop for some major repairs.

Just like my car, I need to make time for emotional/mental health check ups. I need to keep the people I trust and love close by. I need to let them challenge me and make time for that to happen. I thank God for those who already have.

Heal-Five Minute Friday

Google defines it as "cause to become sound or healthy again".

How? Depends on the wound.

I remember my very first surgery over ten years ago. I had an abdominal myomectomy for a fibroid that was nearly 18cm long. They cut me straight down to remove it. No driving for two weeks or lifting over ten pounds, but I did need to get up and walk.

The very first time, I needed help getting up from the hospital bed. A nurse supported me as I held on to stand up and take those first few steps. I hated it, but each day got a little easier.

STOP

John 5:8-9 "Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. (NIV)

To see what others have to say, check out www.katemotaung.com

Path- Five Minute Friday

For those of you who don't know what Five Minute Friday is, I will briefly explain. Each Friday, I join with several other writers to respond to a one word prompt that is given on Kate Montaug's web-site. We set our timers for five minutes and write whatever comes to mind. No editing, just a fun free write using whatever she gives us. This week's prompt is.........PATH


This is what I came up with today.

When we travel the same path again and again, it becomes well worn, flatter or deeper. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote,"Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path."

Be intentional, make time.


Have a purpose.

Perhaps start or blaze a new trail,

but then use it often and see where it may lead you.

Every year I try to learn something new. This year it was how to can tomatoes. A new skill for me, a new pathway in my brain, a new gift to give others and share. Time will tell where it leads me. Anything is better than leaving weeds to choke an unused path and thrive.

My neighbor, Ida helped!

STOP

To see what others from our online community have drummed up check out www.katemotaung.com