More inspiration

Today my mom and dad would've celebrated fifty years of marriage. I woke up this morning dreading the day ahead for my mom, Linda, thinking how difficult this must be for her with her soulmate gone. They looked forward to growing old together and all of us looked forward to celebrating that with them.

I had no idea what to say to her or how to comfort her. She misses my dad terribly. We all do. Yet my mom has a faith and a strength that can only come from God. She walked into church this morning rejoicing. During the worship service, she shared how today would've been their 50th, but with confidence she declared, "God is still good!" None understand or like how my Dad was taken at such a young age. All would love for him to still be here with us. Yet my mom chooses to rejoice in God, making known to all that He is faithful and has been in the past. She is moving forward in the grace He provides.

After the service, she intermingled with different people, smiled, hugged others and even shared how she so appreciated our pastor and his wife for their love and support through the years.

My mom, Linda is amazing and she is an inspiration!

Inspire-Five Minute Friday

Mmm. What inspires me? Had to think on that one for a bit. I'm anxious to read what others have posted this week in response to our new prompt. Here is what I came up with for this week.

Inspire........

Inhale

Let it permeate all senses

Butterflies in one's stomach

Adrenalin rushes

Urge leads to action

Could be the warmth of someone's kindness

that says. "Pay it forward."

Could be dazzling colors and textures in a garden

saying, "Listen closely, watch, and then do."

Could be soldiers who carry on day after day

no matter how challenging or monotonous

Could be the blind student who's happy and

not afraid to try anything new

Maybe it's all of these moments and glimpses

into how we can create and be the best we can be

Live. Give. Love.

STOP

Maya Angelou "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Check out what inspires others at www.fiveminutefriday.com

Collect-Five Minute Friday

I read the question-"What do you collect as a writer?".  Mmm. I've collected shells and elephants through the years, also lots of cards from people, but as a writer? I had never thought about that until today, so it took a little thought and here is what I came up with.

collect....

moments become memories

they turn into a list

I've been keeping track for years now

a book filled with chapters

filled with many different signs

not without wrestling with lots of whys

tokens big and small for me

to remember, count, and share

for others to hopefully marvel at after all

it builds every year and will not cease to end

until the day I finally rest, then so will my pen

STOP

Psalm 71:15 "My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long-though I know not how to relate them all." (NIV)

To see what others are collecting check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Comfort-Five Minute Friday

It's raining outside and the air has cooled considerably, so many different images and experiences came to mind for comfort this morning. Perhaps with some of them you can relate. What I ran out of time to include though is the truth that comfort is never given to us for keeping to ourselves. "Go and do likewise"  (Luke 10:37, NIV) was the last thing to come to mind. There are times when each of us is in need, but then there are times we can comfort and bless others out of the abundance we have received.

May each of us think, "How can I pass it on?" The world will surely become a much better place.

comfort........

A hot cup of coffee on a cold, rainy day

A bear hug from my dad, Guy

Unexpected flowers from a friend

A nurse who shows compassion for discomfort and pain

All of these things bring comfort and refreshment to me. This morning though I was reminded of Psalm 40:1-3, being lifted out of miry clay and given a firm place to stand. 

How God used Guy and Linda, my new mom and dad to do that for me. I can never forget! Life before them was tumultuous and writhing in pain. Life after them in it became a safe haven and greenhouse for growth.

STOP

Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. he brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord." (NASB)

To see what others find comfort in check out www.fiveminutefriday.com 

Play-Five Minute Friday

What a fun word to think and write on in the middle of summer. For some of us, we have a little more time to do this now. I hope you will make the time to get a little crazy with playing. How our hearts need and long to be free in this way.

play........

Purpose to

Lay aside

Anxiety and act

Youthful

Don't worry about getting dirty,

being late, or that stack of papers calling your name

Break out the checkers or dice and play

Squish mud between your fingers or

spread whipped cream on your face

Laugh at the wind on a sassy, summer day

Enjoy it

Pretend

Talk to birds and bees

Let your spirit soar and dance between trees

Kick up your heels, play catch with the tide

Write messages with your toes in sandy coastlines

With a smile

STOP

Matthew 18:3 "and said. 'Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (NASB)

To see what others do with their play time check out www.fiveminutefriday.com