Five Minute Friday: Ordinary

Today is Friday, so that means its time for another Five Minute Friday Free Write!

The word today is: Ordinary

Go.

Plain.  Simple.  Blah.

I don't think anyone really wants themselves to be described as ordinary.  We try to pin that description on ourselves, but always hope someone contradicts it and gives us that little extra in front.

When I think of "ordinary" characters from the Bible, the first one I think of is Gideon.  Not sure why.  But he was just this "ordinary" guy living in fear, just like the rest of the Israelites, because of the Midianites and their giant companions.  Then the Lord calls him.  He has to test what he hears first, but he goes on to do extraordinary things, defeating the vast army of Midian with only 300 men, who were carrying torches in jars and horns!

Other "ordinary" people in the Bible who were called by the Lord to do extraordinary things: Moses, David, Mary, Elijah, Esther, Ruth.

God makes us extraordinary.  We can try that on our own, but we end up just like everyone else.  Confused about our purpose.

God makes us for the extraordinary.  And he gives us the talents and gifts to do what He calls us to do.

Stop.

I write something for this, then as soon as I post it I think of so much more that I could have written.  Happens every time.  But it's good, I guess.  It challenges me to think more broadly about what a word can mean and look like to me.

Five Minute Friday: Write

So I decided that even though I am doing this 31 day series, I would still take time to write the Five Minute Friday Free Write.  We'll see if this continues throughout the month, but today I have time for 5 minutes.

The word today is: Write.

Go.

I think I've always loved to write.  School not so much, but to write yes.  Maybe that's why I survived in school.  I could write papers and remember written things for tests.

Sometimes, I look through old journals.  I don't know if I have any from before college, but when I look back on the journals that I do have, I wonder who was writing them.  Was it me?  The person who wrote those words certainly had more wisdom than me.  It makes me feel like I'm getting less smart as I age.

Where do these words come from?  I'm not full of words, at least they don't spill out when I talk.  But at night, when I try to sleep, they spill into my mind.  Problems are solved, ideas are born, conversations are had (I'm working on that one, more conversations with God, less with the problem).

I love to write with a pen.  The words flow more freely with a pen.  This typing thing is clumsy and takes too much time to think, to make my fingers go exactly where they should.  Writing with a pen is a dream.  It's me, my writing, not generated by a computer.

Drawing and writing are so much different for me.  I can only draw what I see, I can't make it come out of my head.  But writing, is a whole different world.  There are endless possibilities.  I don't usually write fiction, but I can, I have when I was younger (like elementary school), I write best when it is something that is coming from my own thoughts and experiences.  That's what I know the best.

Hmm.. fiction based on real life?  I'll think about it.  Maybe after October is over.

Stop.

Five Minute Friday: True

Another Five Minute Friday Free Write!

The word is: True.

Go

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -Philippians 4: 8

Too often I think I think about the opposite of what is true.  I see what is true, but what you did to me was false.  What you said about me was false.  And I can't tell the world what the truth is because it would hurt you too much.  That or they wouldn't believe me.

The truth, sometimes we never find out.  But I already know the truth and He has a name because He told us.  "I am the way and the truth and the life." -John 14: 6

But what about the truth in this situation?  Do I need to know that specifically?  Or does Your all-encompassing truth cover that?  Is Your truth enough to cover my questions?  Was what You said, the promises You made, just true yesterday or last year, or is it true still and always?

I am held captive by these doubts and questions.  I don't need all the answers, I just need Your truth.  If I knew it all already, I wouldn't need You.  The questions keep me hungry for the truth.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  -John 8:32

Stop.

Five Minute Friday: Mercy

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker's blog for the Five Minute Friday yet again.

Mercy

And go.

I can never remember the difference between mercy and grace, or should I say, I get them mixed up.  I've always heard that mercy is not receiving punishment that you deserve and grace is being given something that you don't deserve.  I think.

Yeah, I kind of know the "dictionary" definition, but when it comes to living it out...  oh boy.  Sometimes when someone hurts me I withhold from them.  I draw back and say, "I'm not ready to let this thing go yet.  You should suffer just a little bit longer for what you did."  But really I'm not hurting them at all, just myself.

Imagine if Jesus had done that, drawn back within himself when the cross was getting close and said, "I'm not ready for this yet, they need to sit down here in pain and agony for a little while longer for what they've done."

It doesn't work that way for Jesus, and as Christians it shouldn't work that way for us, but too often it does.  In my own life I can see that withholding mercy and grace stem from my own pride and selfishness, very human characteristics, that I receive mercy for when I repent of them.  It seems like a very circular thing.  If I withhold mercy or grace, I won't be receptive to receive it myself, and then I feel miserable and become bitter and hard-hearted.

Sometimes I just wonder why God puts up with us, we just end up messing up, and a lot of the time it is in relationships that we mess up.  Then I remember this is why Jesus died.  To redeem and renew those relationships.  To give us hope that we can grow to become like Jesus, full of mercy and grace.  He is not a hard task-master, He is a loving and merciful God who wants us to choose Him and love His ways.

Stop.

Now time for some coffee.

Five Minute Friday Free Write: Red

So excited to do this again!  It's so fun to just write and see what comes out on the screen!

Here is a link to Lisa-Jo Baker's blog and an explanation of what to do, and links to others bloggers who are also linking up to this fun free write.

The word for today is: Red.

Go.

A color that I normally shy away from.  If you would look in my closet you would see one, lonely red shirt.  Plus my skin is a nice red hue, and not just when I get sunburned either.  My face and ears turn a lovely shade of tomatoe red when I get in front of a large group of people or draw attention to myself in a group.  Not my favorite activity.

Or if I've been outside on a chilly day, I come back in and my cheeks and nose are a bright rosy red.  That's probably why I prefer to wear blue.  I'm afraid the red will draw more attention to my redness already.

Or just draw attention.  Red is a bold color, an agressive color.  I don't think that is me.  Not usually at least.  I am becoming more bold, but I would still prefer a nice orange to flat out red.

Then I think of all the lovely fruits that are red: cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, and then my mind goes blank.  I've learned to appreciate cherries and strawberries a lot this summer.  As I was eating them I just fully enjoyed the textures and flavors.

Not very profound on red.  I guess that's okay.  Its not my favorite color in the world.  It's probably one of the low ones, along with yellow, now that is a color you will see nowhere in my wardrobe (except one pair of shoes, to keep it as far away from my face as possible, no idea why I do it, I just think its best that way).

Really when I think of red, I think blood, and because I live on a farm, the blood that I normally see has to do with calving.  Blood and placenta, pretty gross, but the birth of a new calf is a wonderful thing to see.  I think I prefer it to a human birth, so far.  I've never seen a human birth, but human blood and other fluids freak me out.  Cows are much less gross to me.  Anyway, I digress.  What I really meant to say is that a cow birth is a lovely moment to witness.  The mama comes and licks her calf afterwards and its just such a tender, loving moment.  So beautiful to see.

Stop.  Well that was a little over 5 minutes, more like 10.  I must type slow.  That's ok.

Five Minute Friday Free Write: Worship

Doing something new and fun!  Another link-up.  It's called "Five Minute Friday Free Write," here is a description of what it is and what to do if you want to join!

The word this week is: Worship.

Go.

Worship.  When I think about it now, my heart melts.  I want to be in that place all the time.  I wrote once in my journal that if I could live all in music and lights it would be the most wonderful thing in the world!

But then the hard times come.  How do you worship then?  I have no idea.  Somehow, recently, God has given me the joy and the desire to worship Him even in the times that are so impossible looking.

I've struggled with what worship in church looks like.  Does it look like someone standing with their eyes closed and hands lifted?  Does it look like someone weeping on their knees?  Or dancing with all their might?  I guess however you do it, it looks beautiful to God.  He is so pleased when we truly pour out ourselves in worship and sacrifice every day of our lives.  Is that worship, sacrifice?  It sounds right, because I have to sacrifice looking at myself and my agenda to look at the most beautiful, most loving, most worthy One in the universe!