Tag Archives: Five Minute Friday

Someday~Five Minute Friday

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“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Someday

I always thought that someday your heart would be full of regret for all you’ve missed
and you’d tell us how sorry you are.

There was hope that a time would come when instead of calling us together to shatter our lives
you’d let us know how proud you are of the ways we’ve put them back together.

Often, I’ve wondered if you wished that you’d done things differently
and have waited to hear that you were going to try and do better.

Someday I told myself, you’d finally realize you don’t know us at all
then you’d do what it takes to change that.

But, here we are, time is a thief and has stolen your memory.

The hard truth that I think I’ve always known is…someday is never going to come…
and maybe I’m slowly learning, that’s OK.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)

Some~Five Minute Friday

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“And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Be the Somebody

There’s an old song from my younger years that had a chorus that said, “Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?” And don’t we need that? Somebody to love? That’s my challenge for us today, let’s:

Be the somebody!

After our grandson had a medical emergency and our daughter and son-in-love stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while he was hospitalized for three months, we desired to give  something back to the place that provided so much comfort and convenience for our “kids” during that time of anguish. That’s when we asked others to help us collect pop tabs which we’d learned the Ronald McDonald House uses to help pay their electric bill. 

The response has been amazing! A baggie full here. A plastic container full there. A cardboard box-full left on the porch. And three years later, they just keep coming!

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

Recently, my husband shared that he thought one of the best definitions of love he’s seen is…a pop tab. Bet you’ve never thought of love that way before! He went on to explain that “somebody” must first think about our family, next, take the action of removing the tab from the can, then be dedicated to saving them, and finally offer their gift to our family. 

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other;
let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:18 (NLT)

And that’s “the truth” we see in a simple pop tab. All it takes is somebody to love.

If you’re like me, you’ve made it a lot more complicated than that. There have been times I’ve talked myself right out of offering a gift of love to others. Oh, I convince myself there’s good reason. I don’t have enough to offer. I don’t have the time. Or the easiest of all: Somebody else will do it.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 (NLT)

True love does take thought, time, and action. They are the very things that can interfere with our own plans and agenda. But, when we lay those “things of life” down, to give to someone else? That’s when Jesus, the One who knows all about laying down life, truly shines through. 

“Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?”

We know this world is in desperate need of love. You may even be thinking of a person you know who would love, love right now. There are a few who have come to my mind. So, my challenge for today and tomorrow, and the next, stands, let’s:

Be the somebody!

Send the card, provide a meal, donate the money, send a text, order flowers, pick up the groceries, or yes, remember to pull the pop tab off the can.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35 (NLT)

I love being part of http://www.fiveminutefriday.com and writing with the same prompt and seeing all the different takes on it. Just click over and you can see for yourself!

Suffer ~ Five Minute Friday

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“After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.” 1 Peter 2:21 (CEV)

Hopeful Suffering

“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me.
While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up!
I have defeated the world.”
John 16:33 (CEV)

There are verses in the Bible that I cling to for hope and encouragement. Some, I struggle to understand. And then there are others that are just plain hard. For me, the above verse is one of those difficult ones. 

This is Jesus speaking. With His very own words He’s telling us that there are no if, ands, or buts about it; We. Are. Going. To. Suffer. 

Anguish, pain, distress, disappointment, grief, I could go on and on. But, we’re told point blank, that all of this and more, whether we want it or not, will be part of our lives. May I just say that I don’t like it? If you know me or have read much here, you know that I’m a cling to control, linger in my comfort zone, happy ending kind of gal. Suffering? No thank you. I don’t want any part of it..

Of course, you know I’ve suffered much. I know you have, too. And we know we will again. Maybe like me, you find it easy to get stuck in all this suffering. But let’s look at what Jesus says about it, “Cheer up!” Wait, He said what? I don’t know about you but cheering up in troubled times doesn’t come naturally.

As usual this is a lesson I need, one I’m slooowwwly learning. Maybe it’s one you need too. Jesus is teaching us by example. He’s been there! God used His suffering, one we can’t begin to comprehend, for one reason only: so that we may have peace in this world full of agony.

How is peace possible? That’s the difficult part for me.

 “Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, ‘Father, if it is possible, don’t let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. don’t make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.’”
Mark 14:32,35-36 (CEV)

 Jesus knew he was facing the ultimate suffering, not just anguish, pain, distress, disappointment, and grief, but total separation from the Father. And at this moment in Gethsemane, like me (us), He didn’t like it or want any part of it. But, our Savior didn’t get stuck in His own suffering, instead He released His control, comfort, and the ending to the One who can do anything.

How is peace possible? I think Jesus shows us that there’s only one way: Trust. (Yikes!)

I’m beginning to understand that it’s only when we depend on God’s power more than our own, believe as He did for Jesus’ suffering, that God has a purpose for ours, too, we can finally start to look beyond the cups that have been poured for each of us to find the peace that Jesus promises for our hearts even saying with Him.

“But, do what YOU want, and not what I want.” (emphasis mine)

Just plain hard? Oh my!

Hope and encouragement we can cling to? There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it! 

Say ~ Five Minute Friday

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“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

It’s easy to see why, that with a quick glance, this bird is often mistakenly called a “red-headed” woodpecker. Not until you look at him from a different perspective, in this case seeing what’s underneath, can you understand why his actual name is a red-bellied woodpecker. I’m old enough to remember radio host Paul Harvey’s distinctively comforting voice saying, “And now you know the rest of the story.” Sometimes we have to look more carefully to truly see.

When I was in Sixth Grade my A’s and B’s became C’s and D’s. My teacher, whom I loved and wanted to please didn’t understand what was happening. I looked the same, but wasn’t the girl she knew. Before long my mom came to school and there in the quiet of my empty classroom, mom said what I couldn’t say. “My dad had unexpectedly walked out on our family.” Mrs. Mayer looked at me with tears in her eyes, came around her desk, and wrapped me in her arms while whispering how sorry she was that she didn’t know. She had seen what she thought was me but now could understand that it was what was underneath, my broken heart, that told the rest of my story.  

There are pivotal times in our lives and that was one of mine. That special teacher’s compassion for me in that moment and beyond, is one of the reasons I became a teacher myself.  Her care of me became the way I tried to always treat my own students. I never wanted to let my first impressions of them or their behavior mistakenly label them in one way or another. I wanted to know “the rest of their stories” too.

And isn’t that what we all really desire? How often when asked how we are, do we say, “fine” even though we’re not? We may be exhausted, scared, in pain, grieving, confused, lonely, barely keeping our heads above water but trying not to let it show. At quick glance it mistakingly appears we have it all together and let’s be honest; there’s a part of us that wants to keep it that way. And yet, we also long for someone to see us from a different perspective, to look underneath that protective “fine,” more carefully and truly see what we can’t say, that we’re broken. Those around us are longing for the same thing.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 (NLT)

Jesus was letting us know that as believers He considered us friends, and He did give His life for ours. I don’t know about you, but that’s something I can never imagine doing. What if we look at it another way though? Instead of a quick glance and taking “fine” at face value, what if we lay down our day to day life…our perceived business, our phones, our own agendas, the desire to control our free time (speaking to myself) so we have the opportunity to look more carefully to truly see. Spending time with one another offers us all the opportunity to see things from a different perspective, to see what’s underneath, and to say what maybe we couldn’t before.

It’s been 52 years since I sat in Mrs. Mayer’s classroom.  I wish I could talk with her today so I could say, “thank you.” Thank you for listening. Thank you for grieving with me. Thank you for caring. Thank you for taking the time to truly see me, broken as I was and literally changing my life. That’s the kind of friend, wife, mom, MiMi, Christian, that I want to be. How about you?

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:10,13,15 (NLT)

I have a little (or a lot) of time. Now that you know a little of mine, what’s the rest of YOUR story?

Joining others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com as we write to the prompt, say. Click over to see what they have to say.

Pattern ~ Five Minute Friday

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“But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.” 1 Corinthians 12:31b (NLT)

Living in the Crevices

It was something I’d never seen before. As I watched the birds out my window I noticed a Downy Woodpecker glide toward the porch. Carefully approaching to get a better look at what was going on, I observed the normally shy guy jabbing his beak into the cracks of our stonework. I have no idea what he was doing. My best guess is collecting bugs that had been trapped by spiderwebs in those crevices during the summer. But why, when there were three feeders, suet, and a cylinder made completely of nuts, fruit, and seeds, a literal bird buffet right there, was he hanging out where he didn’t belong? It still remains a mystery.

As I continued to watch this snow drenched, black and white bird and his unusual behavior a thought came to mind (as the Holy Spirit often likes to send me) we too, can exhibit similar actions. How often do we perch in life’s “cracks” instead of partaking of the abundance God provides for us?

I don’t know about you, but when I find myself weather-worn from the storms that come my way, I cling to the comfortable patterns of pecking away at worry, fear, anxiety, and all those things that I find trapped in my mind. So why, when I know the Bible tells us over and over that’s not where we belong, do I settle for less when something so much better, the best really, is right there waiting for me? Believe me, it remains a mystery that I hope to solve sooner rather than later.

As I ponder this, my thoughts have turned to the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:1-26) Remember? She was living a life not doing as she should either and Jesus comes to her and offers her something better.

“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.’” John 4:10 (NLT)

“If you only knew.” As I mentioned above, I DO know., so why do I often find myself stuck dangling in my meager attempts to satisfy my own needs? I forget Jesus’ next words, maybe you do too: if you would ask Me, I would give.

God, through Jesus, has spread out before us an array for our taking. Love, comfort, wisdom, strength, peace, guidance, forgiveness, and so much more, a literal Spiritual smorgasbord awaits when we seek Him.

There’s no doubt that living in the “crevices” is not the pattern I want my life to follow. I’m guessing you don’t want that either. We also can be sure that God’s best is more than anything we could ever imagine or have seen before. Paul puts it like this:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

May this prayer be our prayer as we live life patterned after Christ’s love, seeking the only One who can fill those chasms, freeing us “through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:29 (NLT)

Amen!

So happy to be back joining with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com for the first prompt of 2024. It’s not too late for you to write with us too!

 

Escape ~ Five Minute Friday

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“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1 (NLT)

The Great Escape

Our middle grandson is going to be “that child.” Most every family has one. (If you know, you know!) His latest escapade found him playing cops and robbers with his brother.  He was the robber (not surprising) who’d been apprehended. This particular robber however, didn’t think the story was over and decided to attempt an escape from the cop. So, standing forty inches off the ground atop a backyard toy that was not meant to be stood upon, that child took a flying leap toward freedom. Unfortunately, he hadn’t calculated what would happen upon landing since his hands were handcuffed behind his back. You guessed it. With no way to break the fall, his face and the brick patio collided. That poor robber was quickly off to the ER.

I must admit that there have been times in my life (more than I’d like) that I’ve been “that child” in the family of God. I can totally relate to and claim these words Paul wrote, as my own:

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)

Yep! I can find myself in trouble with the “law.” You too? How often do we know what it is we should do but don’t. Even more, how many times is what we shouldn’t do evident and yet, there we are doing what is wrong anyway.  I don’t know about you, but there are times I feel bound by my own sin and looking to escape. Unfortunately, this is usually when I (that child) take a flying leap on my own, only to crash head first into a hard mess. Maybe you’ve “faced” the hard stuff too. That’s when we need to rush ourselves straight to the ER, our Eternal Redeemer.

“Oh what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Romans 7:21-8:2 (NLT)

The doctors gave our grandson a good look-over and thankfully he only came away with easily treatable scrapes and bruises this time. He was awfully sore though, so hopefully it taught him a good lesson. I’m pretty sure about one thing, those handcuffs won’t go back on for awhile, if ever! 

There’s a lesson you and I can learn, too. Being “that child” makes us painfully aware of our sin. Thank goodness we are cared for by Jesus. He is the key that frees us. We may feel the misery of our actions, but because of Him our shackles to sin have been removed AND we never have to put them on again. 

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
John 8:36 (NLT)

Joining once again with http://www.fiveminutefriday.com 

Rely ~ Five Minute Friday

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“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

What Can We Rely On?

At the risk of sounding like my grandfather, “Back in my day, things were built to last!” For example, in the early years of our marriage we purchased a simple, ivory refrigerator. Boy did we feel like adults! Years later when we moved, it moved along with us and that fridge continued to work without a hitch for almost 30 years. 

Then, seven years ago we moved into our new house and with it came shiny, modern appliances. Would you believe that in that short time, we’ve had to have the ice maker in our refrigerator serviced on THREE different occasions? Our grandsons were here once while it wasn’t working so I’d made ice the old fashioned way. When I got the white plastic trays out of the freezer to give the boys a cube, they put their hands over their cups and said, “I want real ice!” Oh my how times have changed. But the truth is, we are spoiled and depend on our ice maker to spit out moon shaped cubes whenever we want them.

Here are a few more things I rely on:

~My cell phone to help me stay connected
~Air conditioning to combat the heat
~A key that always unlocks the door
~Our car to get me where I’m going
~The generator to provide power when there is none

What would you add? Whatever it is, guess what? Just like the 3X “new” ice maker in our refrigerator, these things on my list and yours can also, and probably will, fail. Things are dependable until they’re not.

Here’s a hard thought: People are the same. We want to trust those around us, especially the ones closest to us and in turn, they place their confidence in you and me. But, (and that’s a big but) no one is perfect and so, there comes a time when we too are reliable, until that is, we’re not. So what in the world can we rely on? The answer is nothing. There’s not one thing “in the world” that won’t let us down.

But, (and this is a bigger but) there is One, not of this world, that we can confidently put our faith in!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

So, here’s my new list of things to rely on:

~Jesus is our connection between Heaven and Earth
~He is the ONLY Way to avoid the “heat”
~God sent his Son to be our Key to eternal life
~Through Him, can we only be sure to get where we are going
~There is nothing that provides more power than the blood of Jesus

What would you add? Whatever it is, if it’s about Jesus, guess what? He. Will. Never. Fail!

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

As much as possible, you can “rely” that each week I will write along with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Why don’t you click on over. You won’t be disappointed.

Replace ~ Five Minute Friday

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“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10(NLT)

Never Too Lost

If you’ve read many of my words here you know that I am a memory hoarder. Whether it’s a photograph, hand written note, trinket, song, or just a remembrance that slides into my thoughts, I treasure them all. It’s not that I live in the past, but rather that I cherish it. 

Many years ago when my children were young, my Grandma gave them my Grandpa Frank’s leather case full of keys to play with. Soon, they were used to start a “car” and later to unlock the door to a “house.” The kids loved those keys and so, when it came time for us to leave, Grandma told my son and daughter to take the keys with them. Believe me, they were well used!

Fast forward and we now have grandsons. When putting together their toy box here I thought of those keys and added them to the other things I’d collected. Once again they became a popular source of entertainment bringing an “engine” to life, unlocking a “treasure chest,” or whatever else a little boy’s imagination could come up with. And yes, I too loved that case of keys.

At the end of a visit several years ago as I put things back in their place I realized the well-worn leather case with it’s variety of keys was missing.  I searched high and low, over and under, in and out, but never found them. It seemed they were gone forever and it made me sad to think that I’d lost not just the keys, but something that could never be replaced, the connection they were to my Grandma and Grandpa Frank.

Life is funny. Early last week out of nowhere, those keys came to mind. I don’t know why, just that I once again mourned their loss. On that very day the temperature outside was cooler than it had been in a long time and on a whim I decided I was going to do some trimming in my flower bed. As I began to work it occurred to me that I’d received some fancy clippers as a gift and wondered where they were. I began digging in my gardening/bird feeding pile in the garage and found the tool at the bottom of the heap. As I lifted them up…..are you ready for this? There, lying on the concrete floor underneath the clippers was the beloved key case! I’m not going to lie, a tear or two of joy and thanksgiving were shed. 

How those keys got there? Why I hadn’t I seen them before? I have no idea. However, I do know a reignited memory, unexpected cooler temperatures, and the thought of a gift I could use to make my job easier all lead me to a pile where those long lost keys had laid for years, under the exact tool I was looking for. Coincidence? I think not!

What a perfect lesson for me and maybe for you, too.

We can find ourselves at times in an unexpected place that we’re not even sure how we got to or how to get back from.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Life circumstances may be heaped upon us, leaving us feeling buried and unseen.

We’re never too lost that we won’t be found.

Overcome with worry and fear, we often believe we’ve lost our connection to God and that it can never be replaced.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

Sometimes, we are that one sheep that wanders away from the other 99, goes astray, and lose our way.

We are never too lost that we won’t be found.

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.”
Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT)

Coincidence that God calls himself our Shepherd and promises to find the lost? I think not! He will look high and low, over and under, in and out, whatever it takes to bring us Home where we belong.  I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a memory worth holding on to!

Joining with the lovely group at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com . Click over to read their offerings on the prompt, “Replace.”

Leave ~ Five Minute Friday

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“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Waiting For Them To Leave

They’re still here. I have been waiting for them to leave for weeks now, but they just keep coming back. I’m talking about the grackles at my bird feeders which haven’t had food in them for the aforementioned weeks to try and convince those persistent, big, black birds to move on permanently, alas with no success. Not only do they swoop in and consume all the birdseed, they also keep the little, pretty birds from visiting. For one (me), who loves bird watching, this situation is discouraging!

I’ve been waiting for something else to leave too. Not just for weeks though, but rather for years and yet, they just keep coming back. I’m talking about big, dark, anxious thoughts. I try my best not to provide “food for thought” in the hope they won’t linger long. It seems to work for a while but then, they plunge right back in devouring my peace of mind while keeping the “Still Small Voice” at bay. For one (me and maybe you, too), who loves Christ, this situation is discouraging!

I know there’s nothing I can do to keep the grackles from coming around. There’s also nothing I can do about unwanted thoughts from invading my nights….nothing on my own that is.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying pray. Let Petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

These days I try not to look out at the empty feeders but when I hear the familiar squawk of hungry grackles I rush to the window to scare them away. Maybe one day they’ll get the message and move on. 

I’m using the same technique with those pesky middle of the night worries. When I recognize their presence instead of as I like to say, rehearsing disaster, letting one distressing thought lead to another, I’ve instead begun to immediately rush to God to pray them away. Maybe one day MY little mind will get the message and the fears and anxious thoughts will move on for good!

Until then, just as I’m picky about the birds that I feed, I’ll continue to be selective in the thoughts I entertain too:

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”
Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

For one (me and maybe you, too) who loves Christ, fixing our thoughts on such things takes discouraging to encouraging; anxiety to peace. It’s wonderful when “Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Let’s leave it all with Him.

So, the lesson for us today? Simply remember this: worrying is “for the birds!”
(Sorry, I couldn’t resist)

Watch ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)

Watching for True Colors

Our two older grandsons were here for a visit last week. I’d planned activities to do with them every day. One of my favorites was something my grandma did with me when I was young.

While visiting grandma at her lake cottage, she’d send us out to gather Queen Anne’s Lace blossoms. Returning with our bouquets we’d find glasses filled with water lined up on the table and food coloring waiting for us. Each would choose a color to add to the water and then we placed our flowers into the glass. That’s when for me, the vigil began. 

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t keep myself from almost immediately stopping at the table to look for changes in my white blooms. I’d watch for any little sign that something was happening. Grandma would remind me to be patient and I’d truly try. But, my anticipation often got the best of me. 

I’ve learned that six and eight year old boys don’t share the same excitement as I had way back then….but that’s ok, I kept watch for them.

My floral activity wasn’t a total loss. The boys were actually interested in the process of it all. Quite a discussion was held about the why’s and how’s of the white flowers turning red, green, and yellow. This MiMi and ole teacher was pleased that they already knew that the stem carried the water to the leaves and flowers and that in nature, that is how a plant is nourished.

You know, it’s the same for you and me, really. As Christians, Christ, the Living Water inside each of us also supplies everything we need. And I’m realizing that nostalgic flowers aren’t the only thing I’ve been watching for change in; I’m keeping my eyes peeled for any little sign that my “colors” are different than they used to be too.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

So, what does old life gone, new life begun look like? Bright hues shining in dark times. Cool tones while under pressure. The longer Christ lives in us and we in Him, He will perfectly color our lives. We should become a living palette of every shade of love to those around us and beyond.

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. We love each other because he loved us first.”
1 John 4:16-17a, 19 (NLT)

I don’t know about you, but for me the vigil has begun. I’m taking a good look at myself  for changes that paint a picture of Christ. I sure hoped they’d come more quickly…. I know God (and grandma), I’ll try and be patient but, the anticipation sure is great!

Joining with the wonderful writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Watch” this week. Click over to read more!