True.

True.

Things that are true.
I'm a mom.
I have always wanted to be a mom.
I love being a mom.
It's not "all" that I am, but this is the truth I am writing about today.
I walked around with swaddled baby dolls in my arms as a child.
When out with my parents at parties, I would seek out babies to hold.
People knew this, guess who got to hold a lot of babies?
Sadly I don't feel done, or complete in this area.
It's a big struggle for me.
This doesn't mean I'm not thankful for the blessings I have.
I'm completely thankful and smitten with my children.
I fear though that my desire for more children makes it seem as if I don't think God is right.
That isn't true at all.
In my head I know about-
God's faithfulness
God's sovereignty
God's AMAZING, never let you down, unfailing, unmoving, perfect LOVE.
God's provision.
God's PEACE that surpasses all understanding.
I know the truths of
"If you seek me with all your heart you will find me"
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will GIVE you the desires of your heart" - as in He will put the correct desires in my heart.
"The Lord will restore the years the locusts have eaten"
"I know the plans I have for you... plans for good and not evil"
"You have not because you ask not"
"Draw near to God and He WILL draw near to you"
Some days my heart has got some catching up to do with my head.
I'm not only a mom, a child too.
Not just my mother's daughter.
A daughter of the King.
Who loves me with an everlasting love.
AGAPE love.
REAL love.
TRUE love.
Who as adopted me.
Christ's blood has redeemed me.
Who wants the very best blessings for me.
Who is abounding in mercy, grace, forgiveness.
Who knows the beginning from the end.
Who knows my heart.
Who hears my joy and my pain.
Who is the giver of true lasting peace and joy.
Who has a plan FOR ME.
Who has me here, exactly where I am...
For such a time as this.
I can be complete in Him.
I'm blessed.
I'm loved.
These things are true.

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

She is broken, she is HIS.

I wrote this yesterday and posted it HERE, but this weeks Five Minute Friday prompt is "She". And this is me. The "she".  This fits today's prompt, though I am sorry it did take me a little longer than five minutes. I'm sorry, be gracious ;)
SHE is broken, but SHE is HIS. Of course in Christ we are whole.

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Today... this morning was crazy. Oh man, we woke up and Piglet... God bless my Piglet, she had tumbled out of the wrong side of bed. Well junk, I probably did too. As I tried to gather everyone, reel it all in, as I watched her struggle to get going. From the night before she was having a hard time. Struggling with just, life and all that was going on. She needs more time, to transition between things, it's just how she's wired. I KNOW that.  It was rough. Standing at the door while they drove off this morning I just realized how not in control I am, of course she's frazzled, I'm frazzled. I'm not talking about the we're not in control of our lives, the weather, etc type of control. I'm talking about SELF control. You know, fruit of the Spirit self control? That one. That one that I let go out the window, and welcome in frazzled stress. Because I am not grounded. I didn't fall on my knees in the throne room, I didn't put God first, I didn't drink from the cup that runs over, that is overflowing. I let myself get dried up. When will I ever learn? 

I had to stop this. This craziness. I had to get off the train. For myself, for my kids, for my husband. No more cleaning, which I was barking about earlier- "get your chores done", "empty the dishwasher", "load the dishes", empty the dryer, start a load of laundry, finish folding clothes, kicked myself for not packing lunches the night before. Just all of that. Nothing wrong with finishing/doing ALL of THAT. But all of that, and not realizing what ALL of THAT is truly for? Junk, will I ever learn. 

I'm not supposed to make the kids do their chores, I'm supposed to teach them SHOW them to love those around them, show them how to bless others, how to walk in love. I'm supposed to teach them, SHOW them that THIS is serving others, this IS a mission field. THIS is loving your neighbor as yourself.
I'm not supposed to "do all I have to get done or the house will go to the pits", I'm supposed to love on my family, bless them, and do the things I do because it honors God. It helps me show my family love, it helps me serve them. When will I die to self?

Needless to say, as everyone drove off, I felt defeated. Broken. Tired. Frustrated. Off the crazy train. No, I'm not answering texts, emails, making a collage for the spouses club, addressing envelopes for the spouses club, sweeping the floor, mopping the floor, oh the laundry is ready to go into the dryer? SO WHAT!?

 Stop the train. 

I'm getting off. 

Right then, right there. 

Because the beauty of it is that God will meet me wherever I am.

 Stop. 

Turnaround. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. It's a promise from His word. It is so true. 

Off the train, there's already peace. 

Take His hand, follow His lead. 

Nehemiah.

"Umm, really Lord? I'm not building walls, I have a barn that's not even torn down, I'm not building anything." (Dude, K, just shut up already.)
Just read. Just read.

Okay. I'll read, but Lord, this has nothing to do with me.

Chapter 1:1-5

The walls, the people, they are broken.
*I* feel broken today.
Nehemiah weeps, mourns, praying before the God of heaven.

VS 5 God is great. Awesome. Faithful. Merciful.
At the cross you beckon me, you draw me gently to my knees I am lost for words, so lost in love.
Sweetly broken. Wholly surrendered.

Verses 6-9

Confession.

My frazzled temper.
My being selfish and not getting up earlier so I could serve my family.

My not loving my neighbor as myself.

My not putting YOU and you alone first.

Remembering God's promises.
Grace.
Mercy.
Love.

Return to ME.

Keep MY commandments.
DO them.

Promises-

"I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name."
I don't care where it is, because truly, better is one day in your courts Lord, than thousands elsewhere.

Verse 10

I am already His, already a child of God.

"Now these are Your servants, and Your people, whom you have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand."
Already His.
Still His.
Broken? Frustrated? Wrong? Yes.

But still His.

God doesn't turn His back on the Israelites. He gather's them from the furthest part of the heavens. (vs 9)

Redeemed. Loved. 

Not perfect.
Verse 11

"O Lord I pray, please let your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name... grant him (ME) mercy..."

Grounded.
Centered.

In Christ.

Without a vision, the people perish.

Eyes focused, centered.
On Christ.

I won't go on to Chapter 2 :).

Have a blessed day, in Christ.

Red in my ledger.

Red.

When I think of RED I think about
"Red in my ledger"
Not just Black Widow's from the Avengers either.
But red in MY ledger.
Unpaid debt.
Debt that we can't even BEGIN to pay.
We aren't able to pay.
To who?
To a holy God.
A JUST God.
Jesus' blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
We are free, Yeshua has set us
FREE.
The holy Lamb of God has been slain.
In Him our new life can
BEGIN.
Red.
Passover.
The lamb's blood on the door posts.
Red.
Our passover lamb.
Red that washes us white.
White as snow.
All have strayed.
All have fallen.
All have red on our ledgers.
By His wounds we are healed.
Our sin was as scarlet, now white as snow.
Transgressions as far as the east to the west.
Nothing but the blood of
Jesus.

STOP
Here the song that my picture is from for free, it's called "We Are Free"
http://skipheitzig.com/music.asp?MusicID=5 

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Last

Lamentations 3:21-24

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail. 

 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. 

 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Last.

Last
hours, minutes, seconds of the day.
Last one down.
Last one to sit down,
Last one to finish eating.
Last thoughts of the day.
Last prayers.
Slight whimper coming from Pixie.
She's sick, fever.
Nausea.
She'll stumble on out here for the last snuggles of the day.
I guess it's morning.
0005
First.
First snuggles of the day.
Reminding me how- sweet life is.
First-
hours, minutes, seconds.
New.
Mercies, renewed.
Day.
Blessings.
Beginings.
Faithful, just like the sun coming up.
God brings a new day.
Full of promise.
One day closer to eternity.
STOP.

Sorry, got distracted by a little Pixie.

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Small

For all the things I haven't done, experienced, or accomplished, I can safely say that all I hold in my arms, all I have been blessed with, is more than I deserve, more than I dreamed up for myself. God is good. ‪- From my Instagram @peasknees

Small

I don't want to get all spiritual on you all, but.
Here
I
go-
The first thing that popped into my head when I saw the word  "small" was...
"My head is big, and my arms are small"
Yup.
Meet the Robinsons.
The T-Rex.
Bowler Hat guy had big plans.
He just wasn't adequate.
So many times I feel
small and...
inadequate
It's ok though.
I am small.
I am at many times not enough.
God isn't small though.
He knows what's up.
This week I was snuggling with Pixie at the pool.
I love to snuggle with her, she's still at that age where she cuddles.
I looked down and just had a moment of ...
clarity.
In that span of about 30 seconds,
I thought about  my big plans
hopes,
desires.
Things I never
accomplished,
finished,
pursued,
experienced.
I realized something.
My plans were too small.
God has blessed me BIGGER.
Bigger than I ever dreamed of.
BIGGER than I deserve.
I let her lay in my arms in the sun.
I realized that very moment that I was so blessed.
I was where I WANTED to be.
Where I was MADE to be.
STOP.
(Five minutes when you're waiting in line for something? An eternity.
Five minutes to write? It's like seconds.)

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Lonely

On the couch. With all her stuff.
Today's prompt is "lonely". Soo let's start. 

Lonely 

It's 0005.
The house is quiet.
Pixie has decided that she's sleeping with me tonight.
I love having her next to me.
Her pretty little pouty lips.
Long dark eyelashes that flutter when she rolls over.
Her fifty million blankets.
I don't know how anyone can need so many things to sleep.
Blankets.
Pony.
Rubber snake.
Pocketbook crammed with more stuff.
Goodness.
It's funny how I'm never alone.
Literally at times.
House "full" or maybe not full enough of children.
All day since it's summer.
SOMEone is near me.
Always.
I'm OK with that.
Next year Pixie goes to school.
I'll re enter the workforce.
But until I do that I wonder if I'll be lonely?
I am a loner as it is I think.
I'm good with a book and a cup of coffee.
No.
That's not entirely true, I just am guarded about who I let in.
I do like some company.
I do like being alone.
Guard your heart...
But guarding your heart doesn't mean shutting people out.
We're called to love.
To be selfless.
To be kind.
To be... Christ-like.
Jesus didn't guard his heart.
Not from loving us, loving a world that would shatter his heart.
He loved without ...
fear
So guard your heart from
hate
judgement
evil
But not from loving your neighbor.

STOP
Sigh, I think five minutes goes by quicker when I sit down to write. I can't gather my thoughts in 5 minutes. Get to the point? Not possible till minute 10 I'd say.

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

- See more at: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/#sthash.JLvjWS85.dpuf

Story

I took this picture while the girls were swimming one day. In the creek. EWW. I'm talking live fish, half dead fish, fish poop, all that stuff. I was like UGH, don't open your mouth! LOL. I'm such a spaz.

Story.

My story.
It's complicated, in some ways anyway.
But it's mine.
I mean when you boil it all down and plot it on the timeline of eternity it's not so complicated.
It is the story of -
Beginnings
Endings
Failures
Victories
Redemption
Forgiveness
Grace
Love
Struggle
Blessings
Chaotic Balance
Being a mama.
Just life.
But life... it isn't "just".
It's pretty stinking-
Awesome
Busy
Fun
Crazy
Went to dinner with a friend this week.
It was so perfect.
The timing, the place.
The company, expected and unexpected.
I just needed to get away.
I needed and craved adult conversation.
I needed to not be seen as just a mom.
Being a mom is a big part of my story.
But it's not the only part.
I have three kids.
(And Piece Of Me just popped into my head. Yes, Britney... Spears. Kinda fitting.)
I can't would never want to change that.
Being a SAHM in a city of PHD's and career driven people isn't easy though.
There's NOTHING wrong with being career driven.
NOTHING wrong with working parents.
Working moms.
Let's face it, some mom's are BETTER mom's because they are working.
Some mom's want to work, some mom's need to work.
But all mom's work. Even the SAHM's.

STOP
(Holy cow, I just rambled and made no sense. Hello, that's so me. I can't write my story in 5 minutes.)

Any pictures, captions of pictures, blog post title, are added after the 5 minutes.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Also linked up to parties listed HERE

Broken

Source Kierra Washington

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Today's prompt for Five Minute Friday is Broken. My mind is reeling, I can write about about broken. So I should start. Find a timer because this could go on and on. Ready? Set? ... go?

Broken.
So many things can be broken.
Hearts.
Families.
Spirits.
Some say "broken beyond repair".
But GOD.
God says "I AM"
God's word says-
You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you.
Sometimes it's hard to understand that.
It's hard to grasp.
Seeing the miracles of God.
Seeing LIFE given.
LIFE Redeemed.
Still hard to trust at times.
We are broken many times because of sin.
God's perfect love and compassion sets boundaries for us.
Boundaries. Rules. Laws.
There for safety, put up with love.
To guide and protect us.
We break them.
The rules.
God's heart.
The consequences are often something broken.
Spirit.
Heart.
Relationship.
Body.
Health.
God is.
Healer.
Counselor.
Great Physician.
Mighty.
ABOUNDING in GRACE.
Mercy.
Love.
Mender of broken hearts- lives.
Close to the broken hearted.
Some things need brokenness.
Pride.
My pride.
Beckon me.
The cross.
Breaks me.
For Christ.

STOP. 
(really? Already? Couldn't even gather my thoughts.)

Any pictures, captions of pictures, blog post title, are added after the 5 minutes.
*Today Lisa-Jo has posted on her Facebook. So I will do that also. Here's my link to my post.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Also linked up to parties listed HERE

Present- #FiveminuteFriday #FMFParty

Present
It's 2448 presently.
I have writers block.
There's a huge thunderstorm outside.
It sounds magnficent.
Squiggly red line.
I can't spell magnificent, ohh but I did that time.
Time.
I tend to think on the past a lot.
Good times.
Times of trial.
Times of trouble.
Times of blessing, and abundance.
Times of growth.
Times I faltered.
Sinned.
Let's not sugar coat it.
I could see God, in most all of it.
Even before I KNEW Him.
I could see His hand in my life in the past.
I don't understand it all.
There's still pain.
Beauty from ashes right?
The Lord will restore the years the locusts have eaten.
In the present I feel as if I'm in limbo.
Past?
Nope. Not there.
Future?
Not there yet.
Present.
Yes here.
Feeling in between.
But also knowing that it IS a gift.
In THIS present time.
I am a SAHM.
I am so thankful and blessed to be a SAHM.
I love where I am in that.
Where He has me.
I am still a sinner.
I am still loved.
Still forgiven.
In the present.
Always forgiven.
Not just the past.
Not just the present.
But also in the future.
Mercy.
Grace.
I am....
out of time.
STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 

Beautiful - #fiveminuteFriday #FMFparty

Beautiful is the topic/word/theme for this weeks Five Minute Friday. 

The first thing that popped into my head was "Something Beautiful" by the Newsboys.

Things that are beautiful to me

Salvation.

Redemption.
Both have been on my heart extra this past week.

Elohai yish'i

(God of my salvation)

Jesus.
Messiah.

Freedom.
Victory.

Kinsman Redeemer.
Something Beautiful.
The Kinsman Redeemer painted out in the book of Ruth.
Not just MERCY.
Grace. Abundant, Beautiful.
We saw fireworks today.
Something Beautiful.
Light piercing through the dark night sky.
Darkness tried to hide.
Light permeates.
Warth.
Love.
Something Beautiful.
Perfect Love.
Time with my girls.
Blessings of a stay at home mom.
Something Beautiful.
It rained, POURED a couple of days ago.
Warm, cleansing rain.
The girls got to play in it.
I chased them out the door.
To splash.
Play.
Float leaf boats down little streams.
Something Beautiful.
Life.
Life lived.
Precious.
Beautiful.
Everlasting.
Something TRULY Beautiful.
Not always SEEN.
But sometimes felt.
ALWAYS there, regardless.
Surgery. Today.
My eyes.
I'm nervous.
Worried.
What if I can't see after?
See

my children.
Their faces.
Their smiles.
It's in His hands.
Trust is Something Beautiful.
Safety.

Under His wings.
Something Beautiful.

STOP.
***PS if you are leaving a comment from the FMF blog hop, if I don't get back to your blog ASAP it's because I'm having surgery,  I will be back to monitor and leave comments soon***

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 

In Between- #FiveMinuteFriday #FMFParty

In Between-
My middle child probably feels like she's perpetually in between ages.
Too young to do what her older sister does.
Too old to do certain things that her youngest sister does.
I was not a middle child, we didn't have a middle child in our family. It was just two of us.
Piglet.
In the middle.
She turns 7 this coming week.
I'm praying that she continues to grow, to find balance in her life.
To find blessing in the limits she has now, and freedom in being an older sister also.
Freedom in knowing where God has placed her in our family.
Knowing that she was made for a purpose, that is her's and her's alone to fulfill.
Not her older sister.
Not her younger sister.
Just her, the perfect "In Between".
I pray that the Lord will draw her near.
That she would grow to chase after God.
To be a woman after His own heart.
That she would delight herself in Him.
That He would place His perfect desire's in her heart.
That she would flourish in the middle.
That she would never waver seeking to be older.
That she would never look back, wishing she was younger.
That she would just be all that God has created her to be.
STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 

Rhythm- #fiveminuteFriday #FMFParty

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ECC 3:1

Rhythm 

Apparently I can't spell it, thank you red squiggly line of spell-correctness.
Rhythm of my heart.
Listen to our hearts Lord, hear our spirit's soar... I can't sing.
The cricket sounding noise on my child's Operation Game has a rhythm I don't want to hear right now.
It's the first day of Summer.
I LOVE it.
My girls are all home.
We're slowly getting into a rhythm.
I like order.
I like consistency.
I like the rhythm of our lives.
I don't always do well with change.
I do better if I have time to prepare for change.
I don't do so well if I have too much time to think about it though.
I like the way things are.
Sometimes change is a wrench.
Sometimes, God just wants to get me out of my comfort zone.
Not always because I'm not serving Him in that comfort zone.
Sometimes it's time to spread my wings.
Grow.
Fly.
Serve.
Rest in Him.
Grow.
Fly.
Serve.
Rhythm.
Highs.
Lows.
Ups.
Downs.
Life.
Always changing.
Slow.
Fast.
Easy.
Hard.
God's still here.
Rain.
Thunder.
Sunshine.
God's still here.
Whatever the rhythm.
God's still here.
Blessings.
Gratefulness.
Thankfulness.
Anger.
Disappointment.
Unanswered questions.
God's still here.
He has made everything beautiful it HIS time.
STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 

Listen- #FiveMinuteFriday #FMFParty

 

 

This is a picture that has been posted before. But I think it's fitting.

Listen

So many discombobulated, fragments of thoughts come into my head this morning about the word listen.
My kids don't always listen. Why don't my kids listen?
To myself, yelling. You read that right.
Five minutes. Just five minutes of quietly doing what is asked of you.
Listen. To music, to traffic, to sermons, to background noise.
Tune out.
My kids, for five minutes, or when I'm driving and need to.
Tune out myself.
Tune out the music.
Tune out the busyness of background noise.
Tune out myself, my nagging voice of negativity.
Tune out all that is wrong in my life.
Tune out everything but truth.
Listen.
Listen to that still small voice of God in the corners of my mind. Whispering truth.
Listen to the beating of my heart, "Return." always return to your First Love. A steady rhythm, reminding me. Fast as can be, come running to the throne of Grace. Always. It's there.
Listen to all that the Holy Spirit helps me recall. Have an answer for the hope that lies within you. Be ready in and out of season.
Listen to truth, and only truth.
Truth is love, light, forgiveness, self control, faithfulness, patience...
Listen to love.
Speak.
Speak in Love.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back on Lisa-Jo's blog through the button below or this link and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

 

Five Minute Friday- Fall #FiveMinuteFriday

 

Pixie 2012

This is my first, and who knows maybe my last :P Five Minute Friday.
Fall. When I first saw the word I thought about crisp air, leaves, leaves all over. Here in this area. ALL over, gorgeous leaves like I have never seen. Maybe once in a while when we drove up to Red River CO. But here? Every year I'm blessed and just in awe of the amazing color, texture, variety of leaves. So many colors God came up with. How He programmed the trees to cut of nourishment to those leaves when the air gets crisp. So that they change, turn color, fall off, this is perfect for the trees. Keeps them healthy, sustains them through the winter. Preserves them at their core, so their roots can keep digging deeper. What about me? When God takes something away, could be for good, could be for a season. Am I able to see past what is missing? What is not mine? To see what IS mine? ALL that is mine? The blessings, the joy, the HOPE in Christ? I pray that I would be able to. But I know I don't always.

Five minutes is up :).