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

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

"GO..."

Every now and then, a word prompt has been chosen that just happens to be one of my favorite words. It's an important word and not just for a writing tip.

Having consistency in my life is just as important as in my writing. Reality is I'm not as consistent with my book as I am with other areas of my life. Things run so much smoother when certain things are done a certain way. Throw in a bit of OC, and even an empty spot in the fridge tells me we are out of something. Folding the clothes as they come out of the dryer. Going to bed with a clean sink to making the bed within minutes of waking is just part of it.

As we continue along our journey ahead, being consistent has always been my saving grace. It creates a wave of peace within me, knowing that all the I's were dotted and the T's crossed. From doctor appointments to packing the RV for a trip, even grocery shopping, being consistent can settle any anxieties that nothing was missed, as well.

"STOP!"

Sometimes thing being consistent is out of my control. I can't help but wonder how much it would improve the doctor's office staff that is far from being consistent with proper paper procedures. Waiting till the day before or even the day of an appointment to submit an approval doesn't work. They should already know that! As the patient, it can throw me off-kilter. 

It's been a tough week where we've had to rearrange our time due to their mistakes. It caused me to fall behind on the 31-Day Challenge that I consistently try to achieve each day. 

I'm determined to catch up!

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 ~ Avoid

The word prompt for day sixteen of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Avoid.

"GO..."

Lately, avoiding the wrong path has been our top priority.

It's getting tougher and tougher to navigate these detours created by others not doing their jobs. The frustration, anxiety, and panic attacks I experience are overwhelming, all due to the postponements, delays, and rescheduling that continues to interrupt my quality of care.

People who are not doing their job is getting ridiculous. The excuses are becoming a concern. The wait is daunting. I'm doing everything within my power to avoid traveling down the depression road, that could spiral out of control if I'm not careful. It's already affecting my concentration and creativity.

My prayers continually include asking for help in any way to keep the light shining within me. 

He is one who always does his job. 

He doesn't avoid anyone or anything.

He will bring me through this!

"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 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.