{Five Minute Friday | Control}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {CONTROL}.

Ready? GO.

This word, control, could take me in several different directions. I've been sitting with this one since the prompt opened, just waiting. 

I've never been one who appreciates big surprises, good or bad (unless it's a puppy or a birthday party, ahem). Because of control. Or lack of control. Control is a fickle companion, giving the illusion of stability and predictability, and for some of us, those things equate to safety. When you remove the illusion of control, the deepest parts of me start to squirm. That's why I love my planners and notebooks and lists and schedules. When things are under control, there is order. Here's the thing: When I have a death grip on control, I may be restricting the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. And even more than that, I become a slave to what I can see and touch, leaving little room to exercise faith. That stings a little bit. Complete surrender to life in the Spirit is something the Lord and I have been working through in Scripture and prayer. Complete, as in whole, not partial. Total, as in entirety, in all areas. How often do we fail to be in control, as in self-control, when we are certainly meant to be? That's a fruit of the Spirit. And, how often do we get confused about where our responsibility ends, and God's work begins? That comes from life in the Spirit, allowing Him to guide us and order our steps. Paul said it best in Romans when he wrote, "...letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." Yeah, that's what I want. 

Besides, my having control over a situation or circumstance doesn't guarantee stability or security. The hope that anchors my soul is found only in Christ. That kind of hope HOLDS. It cannot be shaken. 

Stop.

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{Five Minute Friday | Refine}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {REFINE}.

Ready? GO.

I sat down more than once today to write this post. The words wouldn't come. But a song came. Sometimes songs do that for us, put words to the things we can't articulate, and we find it precisely embodies what we want to say. In this season, these words give voice to something that's stirring in the depths of my soul.  

My delight is in You, Lord. On Your Word, I set my heart. You are peace. You are calm for my restless soul. You light my way through the dark. I want to know You even more. Holiness is my desire. Purify, burn in me, come and make me clean. You refine me in Your fire.

Here I am, open arms. Draw me close to Your heart. You're my life. You're my refuge. My delight, Lord, my delight is in You.

Refiner's fire. My heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy, set apart for You, my Master. Ready to do your will.

Here I am, open arms. Draw me close to Your heart. You're my life. You're my refuge. My delight, Lord, my delight is in You.

Yes. And amen.

STOP.

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*My Delight Is In You // © 2013 worshiptogether.com Songs Worship Together Music sixsteps Music Sixsteps Songs Sweater Weather Music A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin EMI CMG). CCLI Song No. 6517953 . // Words and Music: Christy Nockels, Jessee Reeves, Chris Tomlin

{Five Minute Friday | Middle}

Well, hello there, friends. It's been a little while since I've written. That was by design - just taking a little rest. What better way to say hello after a break than with Five Minute Friday.

Five Minute Friday means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

The prompt is {MIDDLE}.

Ready? Go.

I'm not the kind of gal who wants to be somewhere in the middle. When I'm in, I'm all in. Otherwise, why bother? I suppose there are good things and not-so-good things about being an all-or-nothing kind of gal. Sometimes, it keeps me from starting. Sometimes, it means I have super-high (and super-unrealistic) expectations of myself. That's no fun, but hey, I'm working on it! It's just that I don't want to spend my days in a rut, you know, going through the motions in a kind of mindless, aimless way. That's kind of what it feels like in the middle to me. Do I begrudge the ordinary stuff? Absolutely not. Sometimes, the common, everyday tasks are where being all in matters most. Yeah, for sure. Here's the thing: Jesus gives meaning to whatever I'm doing. Scripture says to work with all our heart at whatever we find to do.  It says to do it as if you were doing it for Him. Whatever. We. Do. You know what that means? We don't have to compartmentalize our lives into "Jesus-stuff" and "everyday stuff." That changes things, doesn't it? That load of laundry? Do it for Him being thankful that you have running water, a washing machine, and clothes to wear. Gratitude and joy push you out of the middle into a place where you live intentionally and with purpose. In every moment. Yeah, what if we do that.

Stop.

{Five Minute Friday | Enjoy}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {ENJOY}.

Ready? GO.

I get super-excited about Fall. Some of my favorite things are wrapped up in this season: colorful leaves, crisp morning air, pumpkin-spice everything, firepits, s'mores, turkey, family, football, boots, flannel shirts, cute scarves. Are you smiling? I mean, what girl doesn't feel like she can conquer the world in her favorite pair of blue jeans, a great flannel shirt, and a perfect pair of boots, pumpkin-spice latte in hand. It's my most favorite time of year, lots of things to enjoy.  

But, wait.

I'm quick to remember a time when there was less to enjoy and more to grieve.  When you suffer an incredible loss, pain tries to hijack everything you love about your favorite time year. Stumbling through the holidays grappling with grief and loss is no fun. But, I suppose you find a way to enjoy bits and pieces. You learn to hold grief and gratitude in a kind of healthy tension -- enjoying the moments right in front of you while at the same time remembering those moments that forever changed you.

And then, there's Jesus. My heart will be forever grateful for His unfailing love and faithfulness. He heals and redeems even the most painful moments, eventually, that is. And then, you find gratitude in the midst of your grieving.

Maybe you're still waiting. Perhaps for you, the pain left in the wake of loss is still quite raw. Don't lose hope.  I'm praying for you today. I'm asking God to remind you of His goodness and His nearness. I'm trusting that He will soothe your aching heart by reminding you of His unfailing love.  He sees you.

STOP.

{Five Minute Friday | Common}

It's Five Minute Friday. That means unplanned, unedited, straight-from-the-heart-to-the-paper writing. Yep, you just write whatever comes out based on a word you're given. If you have five minutes, you should give it a try!  Find out how here.

This week the prompt is {COMMON}.

Ready? GO.

My heart is heavy this week. I can't quite wrap my words around it. There's fear, uncertainty, outrage, and hatred. The division is deep and wide. It makes me sad.

It's common these days for people to feel despised, condemned, overlooked by fellow Americans, by brothers and sisters in Christ. I suppose it's not new. We have to pay attention.

We are in this together. Being in this together,  however,  doesn't mean we get to disregard what someone else may be feeling or thinking or experiencing. We have to listen. We have to try to understand.

Isn't it time we make it our responsibility to reach across the lines that so deeply divide and show the world what it means to love others and serve others despite race, economic status, gender, and sexual orientation? Can't we have some honest evaluation and look at where we are contributing to the problem rather than being part of the solution? You know, our hope was never meant to rest on a man or a political system. Only God can heal our land. I suppose He wants to use His church and the power of the gospel of Christ to do that. It's on us.

I can't pretend that I know what this kind of thing looks like in practical terms. But, I think it starts with listening. And when we listen, perhaps we can find common ground.

STOP.