Today is Five Minute Friday, hosted by The Gypsy Mama. It’s a chance to put aside plans and just write whatever comes out of our hearts in five minutes. If you love writing, I encourage you to do a free write of your own – computer or paper, blog or no blog – it’s just a great thing to experience. If you do have a blog and choose to participate, be sure to link up with the incredible community of women who share each week. They really are all amazing!
Today’s word is REAL.
GO
What is real about you to me, my God?
The sunsets painting the skies so many vibrant shades.
The rain coming down to water the earth that is brown and dead without it.
The ocean with its tides and waves that could swallow most anything, yet you keep it all perfectly in place.
The love you’ve placed in my heart for the husband who is my perfect match.
The incredible gift that is my son.
The family with whom you’ve extravagantly blessed me – they provide such an incredible picture of Your grace and love in the way they are there for me. The way they have sacrificed for me. The way they love.
The home that shelters me from the harshness of the world. It may be humble with plenty of flaws, but you allow me to see that they are just little bits of its character.
Your church and how it is so necessary for life. It is Your bride, and I am part of it. You died for it, and I love being able to be a part of this thing that is so precious in Your sight. The knowledge that hits me so often when I stand singing praise to You with a body of believers fully knowing that in that moment, thousands of others are joining me across this entire world doing the same thing.
The way You are always there for me so intimately when I need You. The way You guide me so clearly without ever verbally speaking to me. And yet You speak. That is really You, guiding, encouraging, loving, chastening, revealing Yourself to me.
STOP
I love your thoughts this morning. Thank you for sharing and so beautifully written. Gorgeous photos too!
Enjoyed reading your words today as you counted your “real” blessings.
Oh I love this, Kelly! I love how you’re finding God in His creation and in the very real ways He is there for you. I so enjoy how you write with your whole heart, how your love your family and always point us back to your Savior. Your wedding photo is beautiful, and that sweet boy of yours is SO adorable! What great blessings He gives!
Thank you for sharing here and for your sweet comments on my post. I’m truly grateful for you, my friend, and I hope our paths can cross in “real” life someday.
Have a blessed weekend!
Hi Kelly,
I tweeted a thank you to you for my gift, Dancing On My Ashes. Such a gift. I didn’t have enough room to tweet you the amazing timing of receiving this book, so I hope you see this. The book came yesterday, Feb 3. This is the day that marks, no, divides time for our family. You see, Feb.3 is the date that our daughter, Katie, went to be with the Lord 12 years ago. My husband also had surgery yesterday, so I have been feeling so overwhelmed! But when we got home from the hospital, there was the book in the mailbox! God used your contest and generosity as well as Heather and Holly’s to send me a timely word on the very day I needed it most. Some would say coincidence…but I know better.
I would love to pass this thank you on to Heather and Holly, but their website seems to be down. If you can send my thank you I would so appreciate it!
With many thanks,
Carol
Carol,
I’m so in love with God and the ways He makes His presence known to us! I’m humbled to have had a very small part in His divine plan to comfort you. Thank you for taking the time to share your heart, and I am praying for you. I know anniversaries of loss are difficult, no matter how you look at them. I am also praying that your husband is recovering well from his surgery. God is good all the time, and I trust He will use the book to encourage you. I passed your message along to Heather, and I’m sure she will pass it on to Holly.
Sincerely,
Kelly