{Five Minute Friday | Listen}

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 {LISTEN}.

Ready? GO.

This one should be easy, but it's not. I think our culture has a listening problem. I'm sure that's because there's a lot of noise, so many distractions. I get it. It can be hard to sort through all the competing voices and listen.

There are times, though, when I fail to listen because it requires something of me. It compels me to respond, to act, often to do something. That's when I let what I hear sink into the deepest parts of me. I want to be that kind of girl -- one who listens and is moved to respond. With my family, my friends, with God.

Jesus talked quite a bit of hearing but not listening or understanding. His brother James spoke about it also when he said, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

Yeah. Listening and doing have to go together.

I've learned there is one voice I yearn for above all others. One that guides, corrects, teaches, encourages. It keeps my feet firmly planted on the ground and my heart anchored in truth. And, that's God's voice. God's word -- it's priceless. Yeah, that's the thing I want to let sink into the deepest part of me and shape me. His voice is the one I want to compel me to move and do and be. When God speaks to me, He sees my potential, the person He created me to be. He knows how to make me the best version of myself.  Of course, I want to listen. I want to lean in and take in every single word, and then do what He says. God, help me to do that.

May I encourage you today, sweet friends? If you're having trouble hearing His voice, pause. Be still. Listen on purpose. And, tell Him you're listening. I promise He has something to say.

STOP.

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{Five Minute Friday | Heal}

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 {HEAL}.

Ready? GO.

When my little guy died at eight months old, I expected healing would take a very long time. After losing the next child (she was four days old),  just fifteen months later, there were moments I didn't believe it possible to heal. Who am I kidding? I could barely get myself out of bed for a long while.

Healing is hard work, you know. It took some time for me to want to do it. It seemed easier to bandage my wounds and wear them as a badge. I believed I had earned the right to be angry and confused and wounded - indefinitely.  And so, I refused to cooperate with God and let Him heal me. It didn't take long for my identity to become wrapped up in and defined by my wounds. Anger and confusion turned to resentment and bitterness. But my scars shouldn't define me. Only God's truth can accurately do that.  

I'm so thankful for a God that pursues us. He heals and redeems.

Painful, difficult, dark moments and the wounds they leave behind can help shape us into something beautiful. But only when we come before God honestly, with our souls laid wide open, exposing all the wounded, broken spaces. Nothing is off limits. Nothing goes untouched. That's the hard part. Being honest and vulnerable, giving God unrestricted access to our broken hearts. But then, in the process, He reveals something to us about His character, about His unfailing love and faithfulness. And, you fall more deeply in love with Him and more convinced of His goodness. When God heals, He does so gently, yet with the strongest of hands, and He loves you lavishly in the process. Resting in His love eases the heavy work of healing. And, eventually, God becomes the only thing worth clinging to ever so tightly. And to do that, you're willing to let go of everything else that you've long held. It's a beautiful exchange.

May I encourage you today, sweet friends? He. Is. Good. And, He loves you so. When He asks you to let go of something, trust Him. He truly does know what He's doing.

STOP.

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{Five Minute Friday | Path}

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 {PATH}.

Ready? GO.

I always appreciate knowing there are purpose and direction when taking a path. You know, a beginning and end. I suppose that reveals something about the kind of person I am. There's nothing sweeter than a plan. But, as a follower of Jesus, sometimes the path seems incredibly hidden. At least, that's what I used to think. Now I understand my choice to surrender my life to Him marked the beginning. The promise and hope of seeing Him face-to-face mark the end. Everything in between is in His control. That's good news because He's loving, faithful, kind, powerful, and sovereign. My responsibility comes in learning to hear Him, trust Him, and obey Him. Even in that, He's promised to help me. Scripture says He gives us the desire to act according to His plan and purpose.

Here's the thing: He's always there. No matter the path, there is no place I go where He isn't present. So when the path laid before me only goes as far as the next step, it's ok. The beautiful truth is that He's already seen beyond that next step. And, His grace and mercy cover my missteps, especially when my heart says, "Lord, I want to do Your will. I want you to direct my steps along this path. I will follow Your lead." Because I do.

The psalmist said it well. You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, eternal pleasures at your right hand. Yes, indeed.

May I encourage you today? He goes before you and comes behind you. And, He's with you this very moment. Ask Him to show you, and He will.

STOP.

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{Five Minute Friday | Loyal}

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 {LOYAL}.

Ready? GO.

Loyal. True. Faithful. That's where my mind wanders when I think on loyalty. Our loyalties often get divided, don't they? But, there is one who is perfectly loyal.

Perfect. Faithfulness. Those words have been rolling around in my heart and mind for a few days. Scripture says in Isaiah, "Lord, you are my God; I will praise you and exalt your name; for in perfect faithfulness, you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

You know, it's one thing to know it, but it's another thing entirely to rely on his perfect faithfulness. That's when I stop and remember that His faithfulness is attached to His character. It's not something He does for us -- it's who He is. I am so grateful that I have Scripture to remind me of His character. His character doesn't change. It's not determined by our current circumstance or by our ability to be loyal. It just is. He's God. That's good news for us. And, here's more good news. When we have trouble believing that and walking that out in the daily grind, He wants to help us.  

If that's you today, take a look at this prayer tucked away in Psalm 86. It's a great place to land if you need His help.

Teach me your way, O Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me. You have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Aren't you thankful you belong to Him? I am.

STOP.

{Five Minute Friday | Hidden}

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 {HIDDEN}.

Ready? GO.

Hidden. Goodness, that word stirs something deep in me. I'm not exactly certain why - maybe because it contradicts my daily, ongoing struggle for control.  Perhaps, it reminds me of those moments I searched with all my might for answers when there were none. Yeah.

During that season, God taught me something. Sometimes, the answers are hidden. Sometimes, the path isn't clear. But, He remains. Unhidden. Accessible. Available. Present. In those moments I'm searching for something that seems hidden, the reminder always comes. "I know what you're looking for, but do you see Me? I am what you need. Fix your eyes on Me."

And, He is everything.  Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet put it this way: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord."

He. Will. Be. Found. That's the power of the gospel. 

Stop.