Monthly Archives: March 2018

I Don’t Want to Settle ~ Five Minute Friday

8 Replies

It’s that time again! I am linking up with the talented writers over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com 

The prompt today is “Settle”.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV) / Pixabay

I didn’t settle down to write today until supper was cooked and the mess cleaned up. My day just got in my way.  There were phone calls to make, laundry to finish, and preparations for the Sunrise Service at our church to be made.  Before I knew it, the sun had set and I hadn’t even turned on my laptop.  I’d planned to write after lunch but despite my best intentions, I was distracted by my to do list.

I’m here to tell you my prayer life isn’t much different. I begin my day with the best of intentions: coffee, devotions, and prayer.  The reality is more like: coffee, Facebook, and more coffee.  When I finally do settle down to spend time in prayer, my day gets in my way!  In the midst of my gratitude is my grocery list.  Smack in the middle of my confessions are the contacts I need to make. One minute I’m naming my  joys and the next, I’m naming jobs that need to be done.

Sound familiar? Jesus had come to visit Mary and Martha.  Mary settled in next to Him but the Bible tells us Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. There was food to cook, dishes to wash, and guests to serve. So, just like me, Martha’s day got in the way of her spending time with Jesus. Maybe you can relate, too.

Martha asked Jesus for help with her to do list.  He gave her so much more! He gave her Himself!  He’s inviting us today to also let go of those things that worry and upset us and choose the Only thing we need! I don’t want to just settle for distracted prayer. I want to, like Mary, choose what is better!  How about you?

Time’s up!

SaveSave

Comfy Pants Routine ~ Five Minute Friday

5 Replies

It’s Friday!  Yay!  Time for another five minute free write.  Today’s prompt is “routine”. Want to read more? Click on over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

Time starts now…

“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) / Pixabay

I’m in a comfy pants routine!  When I was teaching full time and flitting here and there with kids, wearing comfy pants was a luxury!  An unexpected snow day or rare weekend with no plans allowed me to slip into those soft, stretchy, cozy pants for a bit! Now that I’m retired though, I find myself each morning (or afternoon…shhhhh) routinely reaching in the drawer, passing over the jeans, and pulling out my now well worn. comfortable, favorite easy to wear attire. IF I’m going to stay at home, that is! Although it seems socially acceptable these days, I have not adopted wearing comfy pants out in public.  The mirror doesn’t lie!  While soft and stretchy are great for relaxing, not so much for bumps, lumps, and rolls on a retired gal’s body! I just don’t want to run into someone I know and share those parts of me with them!

You know?  I’m kind of the same with my Christian life; it’s great when things are easy and comfortable.  Not so much when there are bumps in the road of my faith walk, lumps of regret for things undone caught in my throat, or guilt rolls over my heart like a boulder. The Bible doesn’t lie! I’m a sinner and I don’t always want others to see those parts of me, either.

Maybe something needs to change, though.  Don’t worry! I won’t be wearing my comfy pants out and about anytime soon. But, I am learning that if we make sharing with others the shortcomings and challenges in our Christian life routine, we find those parts of us aren’t as different  as we thought they were, and even better than that, we can begin to encourage one another to see ourselves and all our parts in another way: as becoming the new person in Christ, God intends for us to be!

Times up!

Now where are those comfy pants……….

 

 

 

 

 

The Land of Regret ~ Five Minute Friday

18 Replies

I can’t believe it’s Friday already!  And it’s Five Minute Friday at that!  Today’s prompt is “regret”. Oh boy…….brings about a lot of stirring in my soul. Definitely something I continue to struggle with.  Maybe you do too.  I know there will be so many insightful posts that you can join me in reading today at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com

“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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for Which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:13-14 (NIV) / Pixabay

The Land of Regret

In the land of regret there is no peace,
No solace waiting there.
Instead you’ll find words not said, deeds undone, 
Relationships beyond repair.

In the land of regret you’ll find no joy,
No celebrations to behold.
Just wasted time, a sense of loss,
Stories that remain untold.

In the land of regret love is lost,
Contentment does not abide.
But living there are mistakes we’ve made, hurt upon hurt,
And dreams we’ve had that died.

In the land of regret it’s easy to drown
In remorse, worry, and woe.
The devil tells us we’re doomed to stay;
An empty tomb shouts it isn’t so!

You see my friend, we have a choice to make
Of where we’d like to be:
Looking back to the past we cannot change or
Looking up to to the One who sets us free!

 

SaveSaveSaveSave