31-Days of Five-Minute Writes Free Challenge ~ Open

The word prompt for day fifteen of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Open.

"GO..."

An open heart...

An open mind...

Open my eyes.

Just open the bible see His words work in your life.

The doors that may open.

When we pray, things change. Doors open and possibilities become realities in ways only God can direct. Trust that He knows which doors need to open for our future with Him and through Him. 

Open your heart to the way God has planned...

As we move forward through this uncharted path we are on, I'm reminded He already knows how it will all work out. Keeping an open mind, keeping my eyes on the open door, is always His plan.

Not my best five-minutes, but at least I opened my laptop, and typed away.

"STOP!"

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Voice

The word prompt for day fourteen of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Voice.

"GO..."

Oh, the voice of a child! 

Such a sweet sound to my heart. Sometimes it's endless words rambling together, excited over what they just learned. Other times, they're singing a song along with the radio, not catching every word, but still on key. It's an incredible journey listening to their vocabulary increase from the two-word sentences they began with to completed sentences describing a topic of interest.

I wish I could say it's different for God's children who might not be in the most ideal home. So many are still not being acknowledged and are falling into the cracks of a broken system. Taking the time to sit and talk with them about whatever they address might be just what they need. Our words are like seeds, quietly making their way to a questioning heart, where something has the opportunity to grow within them. 

Children are like sponges, and they want to absorb everything they can about the world around them. Unfortunately, that world might not be one with God's presence...

"STOP!"

...in it. The words we share with them might be what brings them closer to God, even if not immediately noticed or allowed. Other Christians might come around picking up where you left off. We are not alone in this stewardship or God's calling. We have a responsibility to share His words of love through our stories of how He fixed the broken hearts in ways they wouldn't have known or expected.

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Reach

The word prompt for day thirteen of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Reach.

"GO..."

I think I have reached the point were everything I needed to get down on paper, oh more like written on the laptop, have been put into place and make more sense than they did when I started. I still have my many, many notebooks of the thoughts all jumbled around from page to page that made no sense until the order it eventually has gotten to. I never thought, or maybe I didn't want to consider how long it would take. How haunting it was at times to face those ghosts I had tucked away in boxes, neatly stacked on a closet shelf. 

There is still more work to be done, along with other decisions such as a title and cover, before I am ready to make that call. A call that can reach down and chill me to my bones. I am not afraid of rejection, and that is a possibility, but it's more like what changes will they want me to make? Would they want me to change the title? Will I be able to handle someone else having control of something that is so much a part of me?

Sometimes I reach that point where...

"STOP!"

...I begin telling myself I am in over my head! As often as that word "doubt" appears on my pages, it runs through my mind even more. I believe it might just be here to stay! We'll see. As I see it, doubt has not only hindered me; it has helped me as well. It might just be what helps me reach the place I am heading. 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ First

The word prompt for day twelve of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...First.

"GO..."

Life is full of first...

First steps.

The first time you rode a bike.

First day of school.

The first time you made it across the monkey bars.

First boyfriend.

First concert.

Dancing to rock and roll for the first time.

Drove a car for the first time.

The first time you met the man you would marry.

The first kiss.

The first place you lived together.

Your first fight.

Your first anniversary.

Your firstborn.

Their first smile.

Their first steps.

Their first tooth.

Their first day of school.

Their first day of college.

Their first child.

Our first grandchild.

The first grandchild graduating from High School. 

I could spend the whole five-minutes creating a list of all the first our forty-four years have experienced. I guess I did! There have been so many memorable first along this journey.

My mother taught me to praise God first, in everything! Even when I was doing wrong, sometimes the first thing that would come to mind was Him. Thankful, for even when I ignored him, He continued to put me first. 

What an incredible, sometimes crazy, journey of so many first this and then that's!

"STOP!"

Sorry to have taken the easy way out today. We had a surprise visitor distract me and welcomed him. I'm so curious as to what other firsts still await this old gal. As hubby is getting closer to possibly retiring in a few years, the chance of more first is almost inevitable. 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Deep

The word prompt for day eleven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes and Kate's regular link-up, Five-Minute-Friday is...Deep. 

"GO..."

As deep as the ocean, and beyond the universe, is the love of God. 

In my early years of abuse, I had no clue that what was happening wasn't right. 

What I had been learning was how much God loves us. Attending a Catholic School where He was present from before the bell rang, while on the playground and after as we walked home. Discipline was strict and firm, as the Bible said it should be. 

Yes, there were a few times I remember a ruler slapping on a desk of a classmate misbehaving. However, I remember God's purpose being more present. Going to mass every Sunday where my father and uncles were ushers, cousins as altar boys, and girls giggling in the pews were the norm. 

Until...it got DEEP!

Someone spoke up, actions were being questioned. My young ears heard responses not intended for me to hear, but the words were loud. I soon realized what was being unveiled, and that it had happened to me. Not just once but many times over a matter of years. There wasn't a lifeguard station available for me. I had no idea how to speak up...

"STOP!" 

...When a young girl hears words like disown, send away, she's making it up, over and over, the doubt became drowning at times. Uncertainties that would grow over the years and change my direction. 

If I said anything, a chain of events would unfold that would be considered my fault, not that of his actions, caused me to fall into a dark place that would swallow me up.

Back on day two, I shared how the Gift I had received in the middle of it, eventually showed me my lifeguard station, I was no longer drowning in the depths of a vast ocean.

I guess what I am trying to say is, it doesn't matter where you are in your journey through life, He is waiting for you to find your way, and He delights in your arrival! 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Scared

The word prompt for day eleven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Scared.

"GO..." 

Even the word for today scared me!

Some words come easy to write about. Some take me back to where my journey with Jesus began, Some take me back to a time I was scared to death. So, of course, it would be challenging to write about it. 

It's scary when something happens, especially as a child, you have no idea how to deal with it or make it go away. I was so young and did what any child would do, sought out comfort. Only the adults she would turn to didn't believe her. They would tell her she didn't know what she was talking about, didn't feel what she had, or seen that the touching wasn't inappropriate. You're over-reacting and not to speak of it again. 

After a few years, actions like that were becoming a usual way of life. Everything began to feel like a lie, even what I was taught about Jesus.

I began to rebel. 

Everything I had felt during a time I loved worshipping Him as an innocent young child was taken away by the power of Satan. At one point, he even said, "The devil made me do it!" Seriously!

Instead of feeling God's love like I used to during those years, this devil twisted everything around. And it scared me to know I would never be able to trust my earthly father ever again!

As long as I can remember, prayers were always being said daily by my mother. While in her bedroom, she would read the Bible and spend time with God. I often wondered what she was saying to Him.

Until I became a mother, did I truly understand the power of a mother's love? She was protecting us in the only way she knew how. Her faith would someday become my first stepping stone toward the life I have today.

I realized it scared me more not to have God's love flow through me...

"STOP!"

...and I remained silent long enough.

It took years for me to be able to open up about that time. I soon felt the gift of the Holy Spirit I had received as a teen, and it was still inside me, and it began shinning again. 

The journey continues... 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.