Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenge for October ~ FMF

I will also link up with FMF today, click here.

I'm just going to jump right it...

GO!

I LOVE to praise God.

Had He not sent His only son for me to find a way back to Him,

I'm not sure I would have been worthy of heaven.

John 14:5-7 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Until I met my ancestors on that bench, I was always taught there was a heaven,

but from then on, I KNEW there is a heaven.

If I was to understand what work I still needed to do, I had to start at the beginning. I surrounded myself with His words every day. I began joining Bible Studies to learn more. Going deeper into the messages that I had ever experienced. Though my mom shared her faith deeply, I'm not sure she knew how to handle what was happening. Learning to understand her, helped me understand myself, and allowed Gods words to heal and bring growth from it.

On any given day, I can send up many praises and numerous times a day.

From the traffic light being in my favor to witnessing a tender moment.

That a test result was better than expected.

A tree blowing over from Hurricane Rosa and landing in the yard instead of on our roof!

Never, does a moment like those or any go by without praising Him first.

Stop!

Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "Praise."

For more information on the challenge click here.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenger for October ~ Door

The timer is set, and here I go...

Through yet another door...

Actually, I just want to run in the other direction!

We knew years ago these doors would eventually be in our lives.

We have already been through so many doors throughout our journey.

Some brought growth, while others were meant to protect.

Some lead us in directions we didn't know where.

Some we had to lock, keeping out what we didn't need to deal with.

Some of the doors that were closed weren't locked. 

A simple knock, a friendly welcome, was all that was needed.

We will always open the door if someone has knocked. If we knew they were coming, most times, they didn't even need to knock. They would be greeted upon their arrival.

If we were busy, a shout out of, "It's open, come on in!"

Going back through a door that was once closed, might not be easy. Just knocking on that door can bring butterflies fluttering in the tummy. 

Beep, beep times up!

Boy, my words typed per minute are low these days!

4 After these things, I saw a door standing open in heaven. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 

                                                                                              Revelations 4:1

 When I flatlined 18 years ago, where I went had to be heaven.

Being outside the gates of what I could only describe as heavens gate.

Upon a bench under a beautiful tree sat my grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and aunts.

Our visit was brief, but I will always remember the last words they said, 

"It's time to go back. You have work yet to do."

This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "Door."

For more information on the challenge click here.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenge for October ~ How

How do I want to tell my story?

Answer: However God directs me.

Ready. Set. Go...

That had always been a lingering question for me.
I love to write (I've been working on this project for 3 years now)
or get a completed a book done someday.
Actually, I have penned, typed, and journaled since 2007.
I have a substantial amount of notes, ideas, and pictures to add to it. 

Trying to decide if I want it to be a series of books since there was a series of events where each one drew me closer to God.

Maybe something for the young reader.
Or something for young teens.
Maybe it will help young adults.

Then what type:
Fictional?
Then I wouldn't have to worry about the backlash.
Based on True Facts?
Could cause a problem.
Someone will challenge it!
A Self-Help?
A Christian Book.
At this point, I still don't know where it belongs. 
Kind of like me.
But together, we can figure it out.

I had been approached a few years back about writing my story for a Christian Publisher.
It really got my spirits up. 
That someone had read something of mine and thought it was worth sharing in a book?
I began to be more serious about it, then more health issues set me back a bit.
During one of their calls, I expressed my concerns, 
and they were put to ease when they explained how they could help.
Whenever I am ready they are there for me.
Just like God!
All I have to do is make that call.
Which still gets my tummy rumbling!
It's not just the call holding me back.
Some are not happy with me writing about our family secrets for the world to read.
Until I can figure out how God wants me to write it, it stays right where it is, in limbo!
I know that through every turn, even the stumbles and tumbles
 God will be right there guiding me.

Beep, beep, STOP!

Thankful when I am adding to the rough draft of this book, I won't be up against a timer!
For some reason, it freezes my thoughts.
Then when the timer beeps, I am actually startled by it.

This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "How."

For more information on the challenge click here.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenge for October ~ Inspire

Timer set - GO!

I am inspired by so many!

I never thought that I could inspire anyone.

With the many nurses, I have had to care for me. Those talks between us not only inspired me, but I am told I inspired them. Bless their hearts. I just share with them what is comfortable. I answer their questions to the best of my ability, addressing that maybe others might be better at it then I am. And with that, came more assurance that it was me, and the part of my story that I had shared that inspired them.

I've been inspired by other women who have gone through a similar journey.

I was blessed to be inspired by my mother-in-law. She helped me grow through times my mother didn't know how. My mother-in-law would encourage me to go see her. Share with her what I could. It was the beginning of a new relationship.

They became the best times I remember with my mom.

These two women, not only inspired me, but I inspired them.

When I began Bible Study back in 2008, Beth Moore intimidated me, though she inspired me. As I grew stronger, I began to take her studies. Yes, she has a lot of homework, which is why she intimidated me. How do I answer these personal questions? Did I get the right answer or understand where it was in the Bible. At first, I felt like I was the only one in the room who couldn't find the correct book of the bible. During open discussion, which I kept quiet for a long time, I was inspired by the answers other gave. Other than having the correct Bible verse, most of them had a hard time with the questions as well. It took time, but eventually, I began to open up and share my answers, right or wrong, they became part of the discussion, bringing closure, lifting spirits, or shedding tears.

 But most of all I was inspiring!

Oh, and I no longer stumble, looking up a Book of the Bible!

Beep, beep, STOP!

What didn't fit into that five-minutes...

I am inspired by my children!

I believe I inspire them.

I am inspired by my hubby.

I believe I inspire him.

God inspires me.

And I believe I inspire Him!

Job 26:4

Who helped you say all of this? Who inspired you?”

This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "Inspire."

For more information on the challenge click here.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenge ~ Comfort

Five-minute-GO!

It didn't take long for me to find comfort in those caring for me.

Little did I know then, that hospital would become a big part of my life.

Not to leave you in suspense, one passenger had a broken arm and leg. One had a broken pelvis along with numerous lacerations. I was fortunate. Other than the concussion, a significant injury of my knee, along with a few other minor cuts and bruising, I was released. The two friends, unfortunately, they had to spend a few days in the hospital. I'm sure they kept them comfortable.

One day I was comfortable partying it up, and the next I began to feel like I received a gift from God. I was lucky to be alive or was it more like blessed. I needed to change my ways. I visited those friends over the next few days, and that comfortable feeling we had before didn't really feel the same.

Something changed in me that night.

After a few weeks, I had found a job. Moved out of my parents home and moved into an apartment with a friend. My job kept me busy. I really didn't see me sewing horse blankets for a living. I rarely partied, okay on the weekends and with different friends. After a falling out with my roommate I moved home and enrolled in the Bryman School for Dental Assistants.

The change brought comfort.  

Beep, beep, STOP!

Sorry, I couldn't keep my train of thought moving. Kept stopping the timer. Sometimes I am not comfortable with the thought I have a times limit. Plus I am going outside my comfort zone telling parts of my story. 

This was my first experience with God saving me.

We all should have died that night. Why didn't we? 

2 Corinthians 1:2-4 International Standard Version (ISV)

2 May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[a] be yours!

The God of All Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah![b] He is our merciful Father and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our suffering, so that we may be able to comfort others in all their suffering, as we ourselves are being comforted by God.

Sorry, for being late. I have had the most wonderful days spending time with 6 of my grandchildren. I took 5 of them to the movie Small Foot. Hearing their giggles and expressions, having them here, even for a short time brings me such comfort.

This post is also part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "Comfort."

For more information on the challenge click here.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ 31 Day Challenge for October ~ Hope

Five-minutes-GO!

Without hope, I wouldn't be where I am!

It was hope that we got out of that car alive.

It was the hope of God that helped me get those two other passengers up the mountain with broken bones and lacerations. I am unaware that I had injuries of my own.

As we reached the top, there was no one there, just like we thought.

I helped my friends get settled down along the big boulders that we had just bounced off. "Oh God, I hope you can see I am in distress." Now, what do I do?

As we sat along the side of the road, blood-soaked and in pain, somehow we needed to find a way to get help. As I put my head into my hands, I can feel a lump fill my palm. Great! 

"This really sucks, Jesus! I am sorry to be short with you, but I didn't push these two men up the side of a mountain, just to sit here and do nothing! What do I do now!"

Just then a truck was coming around the hairpin turn we had missed, slowing down to me waving my hands in fear and fury. They pulled over, loaded us in the back and carefully drove us to the hospital. All of a sudden, everyone es ruching us off into different cubicles. Questions of what is my name? Where were you when the accident happen? Who was driving? Do you know the names of the other passengers?

STOP!

All I could do was hope that they were okay.

Hope I answered their questions correctly.

Hope my parents don't come acting all crazy.

Hoping the pain, I was in goes away!

Little did I know then, that hope took me from one world into another!

This post is also part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  

Today's writing prompt was "Hope."

For more information on the challenge click here.