.....According to His Purpose

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—PURPOSE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

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Purpose.  Romans 8:38 tells us that ALL THINGS work together for GOOD for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  ALL THINGS.  Not just the happy, sweet moments of life, but the painful, gut-wrenching moments as well.  I've seen this over and over in my own life.
A small change of schedule resulting in a chance meeting to minister to another person, an opportunity denied, only to be presented with another that is more worthwhile.  Little things like this happen every day.  If I am looking, if I am aware, if I am TRUSTING that God has my back, then these "coincidences" of life are obviously God at work.
But it's not just in the little things that I've seen the hand of God....the purpose revealed.....
It's also in those things that are so life-changing that we will always know the day, the hour, where we were, who was with us, when it all went wrong. Not always easy to see the purpose there...but it is.
A job interview lost might give way to another opportunity yet to be revealed, a painful divorce transforming into a new life, the death of a son a path to reconciliation with my parents.
Yes, there IS a purpose.

SLOW DOWN!

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—SLOW.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

Slow is not me.  I am quick.  I multi-task.  I make lists.  I complete my lists, before the due date.  I walk fast.  I pass people in the hallway.  My husband says I drive fast, but really, I just go the speed limit.  Most of the time.
So perhaps I need to SLOW DOWN.  
The upcoming season of Lent is a perfect time for me to SLOW my thinking, my pace, my soul.  

I will take time to slow down and walk WITH someone I approach in the hallway.  Not pass them up to quickly get to my all-so-important (not) destination.
I will take time to stop by church and pray awhile before I head home after school or after being in town.
I will slow down when I drive to take better notice of the beauty around me.
I've noticed that when I take the TIME to BE, that things DO get done in spite of it!  So I will probably still make those lists, but instead of letting the list control me, I will be the one in control of that list.  
I'll take the TIME to SLOW myself.  I will be aware of the path that perhaps God is calling me to....instead of zoom by it, not even noticing the option.  

For when I am WEAK, then I am STRONG

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—WEAK.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

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Weak.  It seems that no one likes to admit that they are "weak" in any area of life.  I am weak in my resistance to sweets.  I am weak in my resolve to pray the rosary every day.  I am weak in many areas of life.  Now, I'm not weak 24-7 in these areas.  There are days/hours that I am STRONG!  I resist that candy, I put prayer first in my agenda.  
Where does this strength come from?  Am I born with an inner reserve of strength for those times I need it?  Did my upbringing train me for resolve and strength in my endeavors?  Do the people around me encourage and therefore strengthen me as I journey through life?  
Yes, all of these are true....but.....
I know that my real inner strength comes from God.  When my children were very small, the very first bible verse I taught them was Philippians 4:13:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I firmly believe this....whether it's resisting a sweet, keeping my mouth shut and not gossiping, or making it through the sorrow of a death, my REAL strength lies in Jesus Christ.  For when I am weak, then I AM STRONG!

Just Breathe...

Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—BREATHE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

When I think of breathing, what comes to mind this morning is the sense of smell.  Our sense of smell is a precious gift!  Today I'm thankful for all of those smells in my life that manifest themselves in the many blessings I experience.

One of the most precious smells to me is the smell of a baby.  That precious life.  The sweet smell of a baby after a bath.  But also, the smell of a dirty diaper (all's working well with the digestion), or the smell of dried on food on clothing (solid food here we come!).  I treasure these smells...from my own children, from my grandchildren, and from any baby I see!

The smell of my husband.  Sometimes he asks me if he "smells"!  AKA, "Do I need to take a shower?? " Regardless of if he needs a shower, though, he has a smell unique to him.  That wonderful smell the stirs up my love for him when we are close.  The smell of love.

The smells of nature....totally worth stopping and breathing in....freshly mown grass....the air after a rain...flowers in bloom....the ocean (how I miss that smell!)....fish that have been caught...wet fur on a pet....even the manure of horses and cows.  One of my most treasured memories is of one of our granddaughters, Martha, commenting while we were on a road trip of the smell of manure as we drove by a feedlot of something (can't remember what it was)...she said, "AH, the smell of home!"  She obviously treasured that smell, and it meant more to her than messy, smelly cow poop!

What are your favorite smells?

Control....And Letting Go Of It

 Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—CONTROL.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

Control.  It IS good to have self-control.  To think before I speak or act.  To maintain some sort of moderation in my actions.
However, to BE IN control, is not always as wise.  I love to be in control.  To know how many are coming for dinner, to have my plans ready for the next class, for students to behave and act in a manner that I expect.  Doesn't always happen.  And that's not all bad either.  Sometimes it's the serendipities in life that are the biggest blessings.  Although, it doesn't always seem that way.....
As a parent, it' not that I want to control every move of my childrens' lives, BUT there is part of me that wants very badly to take their hand and point the way that "I" think is the best choice.  But that isn't the way is goes.  I can suggest, guide, but in the end, they are all individuals with the freedom to choose.  
As a spouse, ideally my marriage is always peaceful, there are never money issues, and everything is peachy keen.  Nope, that doesn't happen either.  In fact, I've had a marriage end in divorce.  That situation in my life was I think the beginning of a journey of handing over control to God.  Control of both little and big things.  
Another life-altering event for me was the death of my youngest child, Timothy James.  I had tried my best to be there for him, to support him, to encourage him, to listen to him and his dreams.  And I DID do that, and he DID love me as much as I loved him.  BUT, he still had his own freedom to choose.  And he did.  I was not in control of that situation.  At all.  Only God is. 
I'm still not very good at it - this "letting go of control" thing.  BUT, I'm better at spotting situations where I need to step back and let God do His thing.  If I have a part in it, it will become apparent.  Otherwise, I am not in charge.
So, rather than "Keep calm and stay in control"  I think I like this quote better:

REFINE: 5 Minute Friday

 Our Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—REFINE.  We simply write for 5 minutes on a prompt and see what is created!  I've enjoyed doing these quick writings.  If you would like to give it a try, check out the Facebook page or this blog:  Kate Motaung’s site. 

When I think of the word refine, I think of doing something to come closer to pure, closer to ideal.  Most of the time, refining takes time, effort, sacrifice, and sometimes pain.  Pain not always physical (although sometimes it is!), but also emotional, spiritual pain.  The pain of letting go, and receiving blessings that come to fill the supposed void.
What do I need to refine in my own life?  Several things come to mind:
*A deeper relationship with God...daily, hourly, minute by minute
*Eating habits....wiser choices, a commitment to say NO when I need to
*Fortitude....taking time to search my soul before acting, searching for wisdom in a situation
*Possessions....the hardest for me I think.  Give away what I don't need....don't buy things that are just 'Things"....live minimally.

NOW: Five Minute Friday

Going to try something different today....just a bit of brainstorming for Five Minutes on words that catch the essence of living NOW...not in the past...not in the future:

N:  New, Not planned, nicer than expected, not in control, notice other people,
O:  over the top!, open to change, over disappointment, onward, observing details, ok with it,
W:  WOW!  Wonderful!  whimsical, with those around me, win, whispers to each other, winks, winter stillness, warm coffee

JOY: Five Minute Friday

Joy.  Where does joy originate in my life?  Not from external circumstances, not from my own efforts, but from the deep assurance that I have that God is in control of my life.  If I were to rely on myself or my environment to place that joy in my heart, I would come up empty many times.

For me, real joy is deep within me.  It might not always be evident at a passing glance, but I hope that upon deeper insight, my joy is reflected in how I live my life.  Joy is not something to hoard, but rather to be shared.  Joy is contagious, joy is comforting, joy is real when your life is focused on the very real Love that Jesus has for each one of us.  

Where do you find your joy?

CRAVE: 5 Minute Friday

When I think of the word "crave" my mind often goes to those intangible things in life.  I crave time with my family, hugs, kind words, opportunities to help others, peace, joy in my soul, an atmosphere of love.
When I crave something physical, like sweets, I go hunting for something usually in the kitchen.  What is the most likely place for me to find something sweet?  Not the laundry room, not the living room, but the kitchen.  If I spend my time searching in other rooms, I will come up empty-handed, and will have wasted precious time that could have been spent enjoying those cookies I made earlier that sit on the kitchen counter! My hunger would have been satisfied!
Where do I go when I am craving spiritual fulfillment?  Watching sitcoms on TV probably won't fill that craving.  Mindlessly cruising the Internet and buying more "stuff" won't do it either.  I need to focus in on the most likely place to satisfy this craving!  For me, it's spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and both talking and LISTENING to what God has to say to me.  It's taking the time to be still, be silent, await the nourishment that will satisfy.

Surrender: Five Minute Friday

Sometimes we hear the word "surrender" and think of things like "giving up" "Throwing in the towel" "letting the other guy win".  These are all ideas that reflect a lack of achievement, a loss, failure.  There's really not anything uplifting here is there?
For me, when I think of surrender, I think of freedom.  When I surrender my agenda, my day, my life to the will of God, I am not bound by what might happen.  Plans hardly ever materialize the way we have imagined them.  What I've learned is to give that control to God.  HE alone knows the totality of my days, of my entire life!  When I have surrendered control to Him, instead of stressing about details that are not perfectly in order, I can relax, and look around for the blessings that are about to happen BECAUSE my plan did not come to fruition!

I'm not an expert at this stuff.  I am very much a "Type A" personality.  I plan ahead, I make notes, I get the word out, I think about what order to do things as I lay in bed at night.  BUT, each day I am better at not melting down because the floor didn't get cleaned, or because I forgot to cook the vegetables, or because not everyone could come.  Instead, I am that God has this.

Five Minute Friday: ENJOY!

For me, it's important that whatever we are called to do in life that we ENJOY it!  There is so much around me to enjoy...both big and small.  Even in the midst of stress, there are things to choose to enjoy.  To FIND JOY!  Here are some things that I enjoy in life:

Teaching:  I love to share my knowledge with others, both young and old.  To see the light turn on when another person understands something is awesome!

My Family:  I am a spouse, a parent, a grandparent, and a great-grandparent!  Sure, there are times when "enjoy" may not be the best description of events...BUT overall, there is always something to find joy in.  Might be small, might be large...but there is always something.

Living on a farm:  This was not on my bucket list 30 years ago, for sure!  BUT....I LOVE IT!  I love looking out my window and seeing the neighbor's cows grazing, the crops growing, wildlife, open spaces.  I also love the feeling of safety here.  Neighbors are people I can count on for help if I need it.  

Being part of a small community:  People are quick to help each other, to celebrate with each other, to just be with each other.  Our faith community as well is small enough that I know most of the parishioners not just on the surface, but on a personal level.

I could go on for quite awhile!!!  But time's up!

COMMON: 5 Minute Friday

Common.  For me, I think of the words ordinary, unsurprising, plain, many of, not unique..... when I think of "common."  I am common.  I am a mother, a teacher, a musician, a lover, a leader...many others in our world fulfill these same roles, and many much better than I do, I'm sure!  Yet, I know that really, I am NOT common.  Neither are you. 
We are each unique beings. created in God's own image.  Our talents, our vocations, ARE unique to us in the way that we live them out.  We each have been chosen to be EXTRAORDINARY in this world.
Think of the people God has chosen in the past to be EXTRAORDINARY.......COMMON people such as Abraham, David, Moses, Mary, Joseph.....none of these were royalty, they were people just like you and I!  Inasmuch as we all share COMMON experiences in our lives, we are also each so very UNIQUE as an EXTRAORDINARY creation of our God!

A Journey Begins with One Step

Five-Minute Friday:  Journey

We are always on a journey in our life....in so many areas of our life.  The journey isn't always easy, though.  I saw a quote the other day, it was something like this: "Make the boulders in front of you stepping stones to a closer relationship to God."  I know that when my journey has been difficult, hey, agonizing, terrifying, heart-wrenching...not JUST difficult....those are the times when I have grown.  Those are times when I have learned more about who I am and who God is.  Those are times when I have, once again, relinquished my own control to One who is really in control.
I do savor those spans of time in life when things are going smoothly.  No one in the family is in a crisis, we are all getting along, life is good.  However, that is rare!  Especially in a large family such as ours.  Even when I may THINK that life is on a smooth path, there is usually something going on that is causing pain somewhere to someone I love and care about.
I can only put my trust in God to take care of my friends and family, to guide them on their own journeys, to guide me on my journey in this life.  We all long for reaching the same destination, eternal life with Jesus.  Keeping my eyes focused on that makes my journey worthwhile!

Five Minute Friday: EAT

Joining in on "Five Minute Friday" this morning....a community of bloggers joining together to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a one-word prompt given Thursday evening.  Here I go!

Eat.  

Two things come to mind....my daily eating habits as well as how I spiritually feed my soul.  Eating is necessary to live a healthy life.  In the past few weeks I've been concentrating on changing some of my eating habits.  Much less sugar, gluten and dairy.  The results have been good.  I've lost weight and I'm feeling good.  Attention and diligence are paying off for me.  I do not give in as much as I used to when I'm confronted with options that are not good for my body.  Not to say that I don't enjoy a piece of birthday cake on a special occasion, but now I'm more mindful of what I'm eating, and make conscious choices, not mindless choices.

Spiritually, when I think of the word eat, Eucharist comes to mind.  The pure joy and total satisfaction when receiving the Eucharist never lessens.  The oneness with Christ, the coming together of a community of Christians for worship, it is at once new each time, yet also a comforting experience that I know I can always count on.  The conscious decision to partake in this sacrament nourishes my spiritual self as well, providing graces to rely upon throughout my days.