Instead of my usual little pre-post write up here... where I tend to always gush about this Five Minute Friday Community (on Twitter we are: #fmfparty) I thought I would just copy a few of the Tweets... so you know I am not the only one (by FAR) who feels this way...
Sometimes we call it a flash mob of writers and sometimes we call it a party, but it's always family. #fmfparty
Love you all bunches and bunches. Be brave and fearless. Silence the critic. Write because you have to and for the joy of it! #fmfparty
I could go on... but - you know! If you are in need of encouragement... this is where it's AT, ya'll!
Oh but - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is! Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker. It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE! The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at 10pm Thursday night (EST.) I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!
So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: ENCOURAGEMENT
{GO}
I see the word prompt and immediately my thoughts drift to #inrl and the conference coming up in April and how Incourage is all about - well, encouraging and how the Community that is fmfparty is just so full of that... so full of stepping up, offering prayer, speaking life, loving and grace-filled and how who among us hasn't had a hard day, or hit the end of it and just didn't feel like we could make it through to morning? Who among us hasn't LONGED for God to cozy up beside us, to pull us close and whisper Hope. Who wouldn't want Him to not necessarily predict the future (although sometimes...) but would just really like to be reminded that He is good and He is God and He's got this... whatever my 'this' is this time?
Encouragement is best served up soft... with an open and honest heart. It can be risky. Sometimes encouragement is what we need - but it's not always what we're looking for!
Sometimes we want to wallow just a bit longer... or we want company in our pit... we want 'justice' or judgement and we forget that we didn't work our way in and no one can earn grace.
Sometimes encouragement comes in hard conversations and eternal truths and sometimes it doesn't come with clarity or answers or step by step instructions.
But... it comes.
If you open yourself up to it... it comes.
And do you know why? Because God really is good and He really does have plans for you and He really will never leave you or forsake you. Ever. So no matter how bad it feels or looks or seems... He's got a better day ahead... a better way in mind. He desires for you to flourish and grow... right where you are - until it's time for you to move. Even on your best day... He sings Encouragement over you for He desires to fill you up - so you can dance and spill out joy and love and life with reckless abandon and audacious faith!
{STOP}
Oh how I love that image... dancing and spilling out - sowing with purpose... praying and loving and living and flinging joy for the Kingdom of God with reckless abandon and audacious faith!
Those three little statements below - those are the things that God has called me to... they are rooted in Encouraging... and they are not just my call alone!
Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "Encouragement"
What about you, friend? Who or what gives you Encouragement! When you really need some, where do you run? I'd love to know!
So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: ENCOURAGEMENT
{GO}
I see the word prompt and immediately my thoughts drift to #inrl and the conference coming up in April and how Incourage is all about - well, encouraging and how the Community that is fmfparty is just so full of that... so full of stepping up, offering prayer, speaking life, loving and grace-filled and how who among us hasn't had a hard day, or hit the end of it and just didn't feel like we could make it through to morning? Who among us hasn't LONGED for God to cozy up beside us, to pull us close and whisper Hope. Who wouldn't want Him to not necessarily predict the future (although sometimes...) but would just really like to be reminded that He is good and He is God and He's got this... whatever my 'this' is this time?
Encouragement is best served up soft... with an open and honest heart. It can be risky. Sometimes encouragement is what we need - but it's not always what we're looking for!
en·cour·age·ment
enˈkərijmənt/
noun
- 1.the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope."thank you for all your support and encouragement"
synonyms: heartening, cheering up, inspiration, motivation, stimulation,fortification
Sometimes we want to wallow just a bit longer... or we want company in our pit... we want 'justice' or judgement and we forget that we didn't work our way in and no one can earn grace.
Sometimes encouragement comes in hard conversations and eternal truths and sometimes it doesn't come with clarity or answers or step by step instructions.
But... it comes.
If you open yourself up to it... it comes.
And do you know why? Because God really is good and He really does have plans for you and He really will never leave you or forsake you. Ever. So no matter how bad it feels or looks or seems... He's got a better day ahead... a better way in mind. He desires for you to flourish and grow... right where you are - until it's time for you to move. Even on your best day... He sings Encouragement over you for He desires to fill you up - so you can dance and spill out joy and love and life with reckless abandon and audacious faith!
{STOP}
Oh how I love that image... dancing and spilling out - sowing with purpose... praying and loving and living and flinging joy for the Kingdom of God with reckless abandon and audacious faith!
Those three little statements below - those are the things that God has called me to... they are rooted in Encouraging... and they are not just my call alone!
Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "Encouragement"
What about you, friend? Who or what gives you Encouragement! When you really need some, where do you run? I'd love to know!
Aren't you so thankful for ENCOURAGEMENT - to give AND receive! I enjoyed reading and join in FMF with you!
ReplyDeleteTrying to open up to it. Really great writing!
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted to drive up for your meetup! And I love how when we're open to encouragement, it comes. Sometimes through the loving touch of our sisters and friends and sometimes in a thousand small ways that are gifts from God. I wish I could've made it to #FMFparty this week. Missed you encouragers! ;)
ReplyDeleteOH MY STARS... how fun would that be? I would love it! I am heading (I think) to Portland in March for the Faith and Culture Writers conf... still praying on it! Either way - we will need to connect inrl here or there or wherever!
DeleteUm, hello, yes? I'm considering the pass in April too. Shall we descend on that high desert country together? Yes? I hope it's not irreverent to refer to the eastern side of the mountains in those terms :)
DeleteThis prompt is so you - right? Love this here > Sometimes encouragement comes in hard conversations and eternal truths and sometimes it doesn't come with clarity or answers or step by step instructions. < And true that. What LJB said, it's not easy. But when we delve into the heart of God and find Truth there to encourage each other with - that is worth going the hard lengths for. That is worth persevering for. And joy. And thanks. And bringing hope. I'm grateful for you, friend!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for you friend and long for the day we can encourage one another's hearts in person. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThis right here is why I am so very thankful of this community. The love and encouragement is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing the community bench with me.
ReplyDeleteDear Karrilee
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree with your words being served soft. It brings to mind the image of a soft served ice cream which one can enjoy at your leisure!
Luv XX
Mia
Beautiful truth! To give someone real encouragement... confidence, support, or hope... we've got to offer Jesus! And it's not always easy... but always good and truly uplifting! And I agree about it being "soft"... the harder the truth that need to be shared, the more gentle and loving way it should be given. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Elise
Karrilee,
ReplyDeleteLove that picture of God singing encouragement over us...and yes, soft if best when someone is hurting...prayed for you today and your one word, Vision - what a great word :) Thank you :)
I sometimes feel like the "encouragement" that I give may not be exactly what the person on the other end wants to here, but hopefully I saying it from the perspective of the other end. It's hard to get it like that, but often that is the thing that sticks and pulls us through (if given in love). Jumping down in the pit isn't the best way to help someone else out. :)
ReplyDelete