Five Minute Friday: Change

Time again for one of my favorite things! Five minute Friday linking up with Lisa-Jo and hundreds of other writers. Today's topic is change. With how my brain is today, the result is bound to be interesting. So let's jump right in.

Change

Everything in life changes. It always does. It's what this world was designed for. Changes are often the result of suffering. No matter the type of suffering, whether it's major suffering, or minor suffering, change is bound to happen once we're through it.

Change. I feel it coming around me. There's a sense of impending change in the air around me. No matter where I look, it's there. While I'm sure there will be good change, I can't say that it will all be good change. Some of it may be more challenging and hard to deal with before I am able to see the sweetness that comes out of such change.

Change is a scary word, to many people. Myself included. Perhaps the scariness of it is the fact that we don't know what will happen at the end of it. At least, not completely.

Uncertainty. Yes. That is what we can see coming from change. Uncertainty of where we'll end up. If we'll get there in time. If the change will ultimately be beneficial for us in the long run.

However, we are promised in Scripture that if we trust wholeheartedly in Him, then we will never be disappointed in the change. In all reality we are changed into a new creation each day. Whether it's all at once or little by little He his changing us to be the person that He created us to be. The person that He needs to complete His will for this world.

The question isn't what will the change bring about, because if we're looking to Him, we know it will all result in beauty. Maybe the real question is, will we trust Him enough to open our hearts up to the change He has for us? Believing that His will is greater than our desires? Giving Him the complete control to change the traits in us that only He knows needs to be changed in order for us to be more like Him?

STOP

There we have it friends. Now, won't you jump on over to Lisa-jo's place and join us in this challenge? It's simple, just write for 5 minutes flat. Without worrying if it's just right or not. No editing, no back tracking. Just a raw, heart felt 5 minutes.

What Went Wrong {& gifts 106-120}

Friends, have you ever had one of those nights where you feel like you could just break down at any second, for no particular reason? As I sit here tonight I'm feeling very heart broken. And to be totally honest, I'm not quite sure why. All I know is that I see a brokenness in the world around me and I feel it in the deepest parts of my heart.

Maybe it's because the "normal" brokenness we see in the world around us has started continued to seep into my family and close circle. Perhaps it's because as I find myself plunging into 1 Peter with my hello mornings gang I am starting to see more about the world around me that is less than appetizing. However, it could be due  to the raging hormones of pregnancy. Although somehow, deep inside I think it's a mixture of the first two with just twinge of the third. When I look around, I can't help but wonder,

what went wrong? 

Then I look at the traits that God created us to represent. Love. Peace. Respect. Hope. Kindness. Joy. Grace. Him. Then I look around me and I have a hard time seeing these. More often we see hate, rage, disrespect (or lack of respect), hopelessness, disdain, bitterness, Satan.

When we stop yearning to look like Him, we cease to be able to accurately reflect these traits. When we stop reflecting these traits, those around us cease to see even a fraction of who He is. When we stop searching after  the God who created us and stop reaching for the characteristics He wants us to have, we fall hard. We fall prey to Satan. We fall right into his traps that are set up for us.

I see vicious cycles floating around in the air around me. Cycles that I try with all my might to avoid. Honestly, I've found myself trapped in these cycles most of my life, because that's all I had ever known. Until He guided me into relationships with other believers that helped shed light on the true issues in which they were rooted.

Now, it is only by His grace that I do not fall into those cycles (as often). I'm not afraid to admit that at times I still fall prey to them. Now I stop and ask myself,

what can I do?

But I have found the key to avoiding many of those major traps. Daily worship, scripture reading, and prayer.

 

So as I sit here tonight, something of which I'm not totally sure the origin, weighing heavy on my chest. I can sit back, take a deep breath in, exhale some of the heaviness and TRUST that my spirit is conveying the prayers that my brain doesn't know it needs to be saying. Not only that, but I can trust that God is already at work in my heart to show me the steps I need to take to help the heaviness.

 

*Because I know that one of the best ways to come out of a mood like this is to count some of these...and after all it is still Monday...

106. I love feeling the strong kicks of my little boy. Although I might not think they're as sweet when he gets on the outside...
107. Brokenness
108. Beauty in brokenness
109. Circumstances that bring about
110. Friends who pray at the drop of a hat
111. The ability to be Switzerland
112. A job that challenges me
113. A very active baby boy
114. 1 Peter
115. Challenges that make this life worth while
116. 31 parties that allow me to get to know other women around me
117. The good days at work
118. Quiet time in the morning
119. My desires for a family that is a-typical in today’s society
120.A husband who has the same desires for our family

Won't you Join me?

It's that time again friends! Another Friday arrived. Meaning another week is behind. It also means that it's time for another round of 5 minute Friday.

If you've stopped over from Lisa-Jo's place: Welcome new friend! It's so nice to have you here. I hope you'll come back again.

To my regular readers: Hello there! I love seeing your face around here all the time!  Whether you're a new comer or an old friend, I hope that you'd take the time to jump in on our conversation.

JOIN

If you've been around here with me for any length of time, you know my challenge is to create a place where I can be completely real. Not only that but a place where my readers can come and feel like they can just be themselves as well. After all, I've found that if it's not real, then it's not worth your precious time.

I've never been one to just immediately jump in and join others in what they're doing. I've always been a shy one. The cautious one. In many ways I still am.

However when it came to blogging and making friends that way, I joined right in. Which totally goes against my natural instinct-a true introvert. I have found that when I joined in (in both big ways and small ways) I find that God has given me the courage to open up some. To love on those who need loved on. To put the right people in my path that won't judge me for or be scared away by my quirky-ness.

So friends, I encourage you to join in on His cause. When we do, we will find that we'll be able to exceed our own expectations. Joining with God in His cause will more than likely be uncomfortable and scary. But I promise, if you join with me in joining with Him, it will be worth it.

STOP



1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here 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..

Rethinking Family

I'm sitting here this morning doing my morning reading in 1 Peter and I'm watching as my little one says hello from the inside. While I know he's been awake since about 6am, I woke around 8:15am this morning. Ever since then, he's been letting me know he's here with me. Enjoying the music with me.

As I finished up with my quiet time, I sit watching him move, feeling him move. It gets me thinking about what the original design for family was to be. Surely this trend of disconnected, estranged, and un-involved families can't be the way God originally designed it. No, I'm sure it's not. It is what the enemy has created it to be.

We're told that everything God creates is good. Since the family unit was originally His creation, I have to believe there's a better way to do it. There has to be a way that we can keep family close, unified, and loving despite the attacks there are against it.

Satan has planned attacks against families since the beginning. After all, the first family was broken apart by jealousy and murder. As I look around this world, I can honestly say we. have. not. changed. Many of the times that families (mine included) have been broken apart it's generally been either selfishness or misunderstandings that get blown out of proportion.

As I fell asleep last night, and as I woke this morning, I couldn't help but think how I want Andrew's life to be different. I want our family to be connected. I want a family that's unified. I want a family unit in which each person involved knows that it is a safe place. A place they can come, kick their shoes off, and just be themselves.

I want both of my guys to know that their house is a place of honesty, respect, love and support. Not one of fighting, judgements, regrets, pain and sorrow.

So dear friends, there are two things I need from you:

• Prayers and accountability-for both now and after Andrew gets here. I want to make family a priority. Family time. Family meals. Family walks. Family devotions. I want to create the family atmosphere for my son that I didn't grow up with, but always longed for.


• Ideas-What have you done to ensure your family stays close, especially in the midst of chaos?

FMF: Connection

 

Five Minute Friday ~ Connection

I've found that connection must start with the Creator. If I fail to recognize that not making that connection a priority then any other connection I make is at great risk of failing or hurting.

Connection is an essential part of life. Without connection we would find ourselves feeling isolated and lonely. With every breath we connect in one way or another.

Whether our connection is with friends, family, strangers, or animals, we must be mindful of the type of connection we make. As well as the type of fragrance we leave once that connection is complete.

When people walk away from a time of connecting with us, do they walk around feeling challenged to better themselves for God? Refreshed? Brought down? Discouraged? Encouraged? Loved? Like an inconvenience? Do our interactions with others bring them up or tear them down?

I think it's essential to keep in mind the type of connection we want to be and take steps to make it happen. For me, being a consistent positive interaction must begin by connecting with the One who teaches love like no human ever can.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here 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. 

Taking Control So I Can Surrender

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? But it's true. In two weeks I'll be joining hundreds of others in reclaiming my mornings to grow deeper in Him. To become a better representation of His love in every other area of my life. And from what I've heard and seen from friends is that there is one challenge that really seems to work.



 

What is hello mornings? Hello mornings is a challenge one can take that give you a group of loving, supporting, encouraging individuals. An amazing group leader. And a do-able challenge. The goal? To start each day off on the right foot: time with God, exercise, and planning out the day.

The fall session runs from August 20th thru November 16th. During this time, it is my hope that I can get myself on a routine. One that will *hopefully* still work come late November/early December when our lives get turned upside down with the appearance of little Andrew.

What will this look like for me?
1) I want to be able to get into a sleep rhythm (yes I know he'll change that for me) but for me the rhythm will be getting to bed around the same time each night. My goal will be in bed (and hopefully sleeping) by 11pm, midnight at the latest, waking consistently around 8am. While that may be late for some (especially you first shift-ers who consider 8am to be sleeping in--lol) for a second shift-er like me, 8am is like the crack of dawn.

2) Consistently seek time in His word FIRST. Before checking my phone (that will probably be the toughest habit to break. Before checking Facebook. Or Twitter. Or Email. Checking in with Him, starting my day with consistent prayer, scripture and worship (however that may look for the day).

3) Find some light, easy-going exercise that will help me kick myself in gear after Andrew comes. After all, I lost the weight once....who's to say I can't do it again. Plus, I have a wedding in April that I need to get back in better shape for anyway. SHOWER! (after all I think my hubs, dad and client would all appreciate it...haha)

4) Eat breakfast (I have a horrible habit of skipping breakfast). As well as prepare breakfast for my love as well. As a bonus it would give us time to touch base before we both head in opposite directions for work.

So there it is friends. My plan for getting on track. Getting focused. And preparing for motherhood.

Too Fast?

Hey friends! Exciting news! I'm sharing my heart today over at Must Love God. I hope you'll join us in our discussion.

[caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="250"] Join me here today[/caption]

The thought we're tackling today is this: are we moving so fast that we fail to take delight in the good that is going on in our lives right now?