Middle-Five Minute Friday

I missed the posting for the week of July 19th, but I am back for this week's now that we are half way through summer. A very different prompt for this past Friday. I can't wait to read other's thoughts. here are mine on...........

Middle...

The lake was in the middle filled with turtles, frogs, and fish.

Surrounded by various blossoms, rocks, vegetation, and creeks.

I was stunned by its beauty.

Different rocks, paths, and views.

I walked slowly and breathed deeply as I peered through branches and leaves.

Steps going up, around, and down.

Brick paths leading to different worlds.

A few fountains spraying a cool mist while the sun beat down.

Not knowing how.

STOP

Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that He had made and behold it was very good." (NASB)

To see what others came up with for in the middle, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Willing- A Very Late Five Minute Friday from last week on the 12th!

Summer is flying by and I am just sitting down to post my thoughts with regards to last week's prompt. Are you willing to read and ask yourself the same questions?

Willing....

It still kind of boggles my mind that I found my lost earring over a week ago. It befuddles me, quite honestly only because I've found myself admitting more and more, "I know God CAN DO ALL things, but what is He WILLING TO DO?"

I've had my fair share of disappointments, receiving not just the "wait" answer to prayers, but flat out "NO's". No to requests for physical healing for different loved ones. No to finding another place to live this year. No to both little and big requests throughout life. When you get a few no's in a row, it's not only frustrating, but disheartening.

STOP

I ran out of time to write, but I didn't want to end it with that. Some pretty big NO's have caused me to not ask or expect as much. Yet upon venting my frustrations in prayer, new questions came to mind:

"What have I been willing and/or unwilling to do? How does God feel?"

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you."

I listened to a radio program earlier today which encouraged people to not give up on praying for different loved ones as the speaker, Eva Whittington Self prayed for her dad for 15 years to come to know the peace and love of God. At 80 years old, he finally did.

To see what others have been willing to post check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Take-Five Minute Friday

I missed last week! First one in I don't know how long. I didn't know what to write, was pretty pooped  when I did have a few minutes to myself, and so it never got done. 

I'm here today on a Friday posting. I was encouraged by an unexpected find this morning. During my quiet time, I began to question, "How do I know God still hears me?" Years have gone by with some pretty BIG unanswered prayers. I still have people in my family who are not speaking to each other and refuse to reconcile. One of them has not talked to me in quite some time and continues to ignore me in spite of the numerous times I've reached out. Today I was encouraged though.

Take....

Take it in stride. Cope. Manage or accept difficulty or the unfortunate well. 

I was bummed out. Half way through a fourth of July BBQ yesterday, I realized I lost an earring. UGH! I looked in my car and around the area I was sitting. It could have been anywhere. I looked when I got home last night. Nothing. Chances were good I wasn't going to find it anywhere. God only knows when and where I lost it. It was one of my all time favorites, worn many a time through the years. I figured I would not find it. No sense in driving myself crazy looking for it. I'd be shopping for another pair. UNTIL this morning while I was talking to a friend on the phone. I spotted it on the rug. I didn't bother to pray, but there it was. Found.

STOP

After my discovery, I thought about how the earring was something I could replace. I wasn't happy that I may not be able to find the exact same pair again, but I knew it wasn't the end of the world. I could easily go buy another pair. Yet, here it was found on my living room rug! I was willing to let it go and not search any further. 

Healing and reconciliation between people in my family is worth SO MUCH MORE than a favorite pair of earrings. If God allowed me to find a missing earring, would He not work in the hearts of people in my family of whom are so much more valuable? Would I not find reconciliation and healing in due time?

Isaiah 65:24 'It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear." (NASB)

To see what others are taking away from this week's prompt, check out: www.fiveminutefriday.com

Question-A Very Late Five Minute Friday!

This is for last Friday's prompt on the 21st. I'm just in time before a new one tomorrow. What can I say except the last two weeks of school are really crazy! I've also been looking to buy a home which prompted my response to last week's encouragement.....

Question..........

Some don't know what to ask. I'm learning I need to ask a lot before making a BIG investment. I'm learning about wells, septic, roofs, and furnaces. I'm learning all that glitters is NOT gold.

QUESTION!

What a powerful tool and action. It can save us a lot of heartache and money in the end. Wisdom to guide us into and onto a path of life.

What else can I say? Everyone needs to do their homework. It's something I hope to instill in my students, what to ask and when.

Need to know!

STOP

Proverbs 3:13 " How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding." (NASB)

To see what others question, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com

Goal- Five Minute Friday

Less than ten days to go until summer vacation. The list is so long for things to do before then, but I was led to write about something more challenging then just meeting the end of the school year's goals. 

Some, if not all, will invariably wonder when our final appointment is and under what circumstances. I was challenged by my friend's grandmother's legacy of faith to view this as something we should not try to control. What's you goal?

Goal....

Would you make it your goal to end your life your way, on your terms, and in your own time if diagnosed with an incurable, debilitating disease?

I've often thought I would. After all, who wants to suffer without an immediate end in sight and excruciatingly? NO ONE!

Tonight I went to the service of a friend's loved one who planned for sometime to do just that because she was diagnosed with MS forty five years ago. She kept drugs in a secure place to reach for when she had had enough.

Yet as time went on and she grew stronger in her faith, she got rid of the drugs and acknowledged her times were in God's hands.

STOP

Matthew 28:20 "teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NASB)

I was inspired by the life of my friend's grandmother tonight. She lived many years beyond what doctors anticipated. Her children and grandchildren shared how she continued to do everything she could for as long as she could. She always had a smile. She was anything BUT bitter and angry. She lived a full life and gave glory to God in and through her suffering. We celebrate the newness of life and vitality she now enjoys for all eternity.

To see what others have set as goals, check out www.fiveminutefriday.com