The Quiet

Quiet.

It means something different to those of us with mobile children. You know what I'm talking about. You're just in the other room attempting to (quickly) accomplish something besides chasing children- all the while, they are running amuck, little screams & laughter filling air. And then. The air becomes still and you start to almost relax as your ears are being given a small reprieve from the constant noise when your brain snaps back and you realize what you're hearing is:

The Quiet.

This quiet is (usually) never good. It is always just a little too quiet. It usually involves artistic walls, removed diapers, torn books, toilet paper strewn all over or maybe even your toilet filled with half a pack of wipes.

And you never wished more for noise than right then.

Five minute Friday.... brought to you on Saturday (as always around here). I'm not sure if I managed to do a single post on a friday last month and have failed so far this month as well. pish posh... it is what it is. We were having good times with good people so I feel no guilt or shame :) And if you need a fun writing exercise in your life, clink on the link and get hooked up! 

Take Five on Saturday

Considering it only takes 5 mins, you would think I could manage to squeeze one of these out actually ON Friday but it seems my brain is fried by the time I sit down to write. It's all good, I'm embracing my lateness and claiming my 5 on Saturday :) This week is all about Roots. 

Roots

START.

Roots. Stability. Foundation. Life. 

Roots dig down deep and find the water.

Roots are the beginning of growth.

I am rooted and grounded in love.

As a friend.

As a daughter.

As a mother.

As a wife.

As a christian.

I am rooted in love.

Without Christ, who IS love, my relationships are meaningless.

I am rooted in love.

Without roots, I cannot live.

I am rooted in love.

STOP.

5 minute friday (on Saturday): VOICE

A Voice.

Everyone has one. Even those that can't physically speak, have a voice. Far too often I have allowed insecurity, lies and fear hold me back from using my own voice. I am learning that even when I don't think what I have to say matters, say it any way. Chances are, if I feel compelled to share it, someone needs to receive it.

So I'm learning. It is a process but I'm learning to use my voice. I'm learning that what I say does matter. Who, how & what matter as well. God has given me a specific sphere of influence and when I choose to be quiet- be still- and listen, I am able to use it for His glory.

Maybe you are like me. You think you're voice doesn't matter. No one care what you have to say. People will judge you harshly for having those thoughts or they might perceive that you are self righteous. Let me encourage you to push past those insecurities. Push past those lies. Push past your fear. Even if you're little. Even if you're big. Even if your voice is really, really quiet or really really loud. Even if you cannot speak at all. 

In the end you may bless someone. 

You might just bless yourself.

Use your voice.

5 Minute Sunday {Look}

I have participated in this fun writers flash mob once before. Today I am joining up for a 5 minute Friday Sunday. Call me an innovator.

 Basically,  you're given a word and have 5 minutes to write. Unedited. Right from your head to the keyboard. If you have a blog, I would encourage you to join in sometime. It is fun and a good writing exercise. Plus, you get to be blessed by reading other bloggers 5 min blurbs :)

So without further adieu... 

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Look.

"Look at me, Mommy! Look!" 

"Mommy, you're not looking." 

How often do I glance but do not look? Look but do not see? Allowing this life to pass by. My children. My husband. The lost. Allowing my vision to be clouded by the worries of this world. 

Oh Lord, open my eyes. Help me to look. Help me to see. Help me to slow down and soak in the wonders of this world. The wonders that are infront of me every.single.day. 

Forgive me for my selfishness. To only glance or not even glance. 

"Yeah, yeah." 

"Uh huh."

"Isn't that nice?" 

Without even a care or second thought. Sarah, don't cheat yourself of the blessings. Just take a moment.

Look.

and

See.

You'll be glad you did.

I'm on a BOAT! :)

graceFULL

Lately, I've been in a bit of a funk. Grouchy. Moody. A true punishment for my husband. When I read in proverbs about the quarreling wife, I can't help but think- my poor husband must wish he lived in the corner of a rooftop- he'd be better off there. Or at least less wounded. This was my thought yesterday when I read Proverbs 26.

Then, I was reminded of grace. Oh glorious grace. How you bless me. How you save me. It picks me up off the floor of self-pity, guilt and condemnation and reminds how much Jesus loves me! I prayed a prayer of repentance. I prayed for his spirit to work in my heart and make me gentle. kind. loving. patient. Seriously, He has blessed me with an amazing man and I cannot imagine my life without him.

And that fills me.
With grace.
I may not be very graceful.
But definitely
graceFULL.

Photo credit: In His Grace Photography

We're in this together <3

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This post was brought to you courtesy of Five Minute Friday. A link up that only requires five minutes of your writing time and spits out an unedited, raw post. So set your timer and get writing. This was my first attempt. You probably can tell but it was fun and I look forward to joining in again next week :)