This little Bloggy break hasn't felt like too much of a break this week but, you know, commitments! Still - what ELSE would I do on a Thursday night, ya'll?
So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: EXHALE
{GO}
Exhale...
Now that is a lovely word, yes?
I talk a lot about leaning, about breathing, about entering in to His Rest. I talk often of how He is simply a breath away and I have encouraged you over and over and over to simply lean back, close your eyes, and fully breath in deep... slowly exhaling... and like magic, He is there!
And He is... because He always is! We just tend to forget... or stop noticing Him.
In this season of taking some time, He has been calling me away - not just from blogging (although this week, maybe you couldn't tell?) but also from other things. He has been calling me to slow down, to not rush on through to the Next, but to relax and reflect and to enter in to His rest.
But here's the thing... sometimes it is WORK to enter in... to give up our routines and all of the comfort and chaos of our Bossy Lists and to give ourselves permission to actually, for real, do nothing. It goes against our culture and for many of us, it goes against our nature... and sometimes it is a fight and it takes real strength... real skill... to work to get to that Calm.
It takes work and determination to climb higher and yet, remain unseen... hidden... not sure of where we are going really. But when we follow His lead, and allow Him to be our Guide... He leads us up to high places, with views (and perspectives) that we could never see when down below, going through all of our daily living!
So Breath deep... Exhale slow... find yourself some Island time, even if it is simply closing your eyes and putting your feet up right where you are! I know, it's not easy. It's not lazy. It is VITAL to your refreshing and refueling for what lies ahead... Do not allow the enemy to deceive you...
(Did ya see what I did there? Yeah... I'm a dork!)
It is worth it... this stepping back, this slowing down... this staying present and living with intention and on purpose!
We need Him... He is the air we breathe... when we inhale and when we exhale!
So say it with me now... inhale deep! Breathe Him in... let His Presence fill you to overflowing... bursting forth from your lungs... and then, slowly, peacefully, naturally just let Him out!
{STOP}
(I have said from the beginning... I will step back a bit over the summer. I won't be posting quite as often... but this right here? These FMF's? They are like oxygen to me!)
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 "EXHALE"
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 "EXHALE"
Oh - 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!
* All photo's taken by me while visiting my sister on Whidbey Island!
There is so much truth in this post! And your pictures alone made me exhale! Love, love, love! Happy almost Friday, friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jennifer! Praying for you and your new book release this week!
DeleteBeautiful photos and just the encouragement I needed. And you're right--leaning in and learning to breathe and exhale takes WORK! Here's to flexing our trust muscles!
ReplyDeleteAnita... Amen! Flexing right beside you, my friend!
DeleteAmen and amen and amen again! Every word breathes life and feels like a friend! Your words parallel mine tonight and guess what??? We are FMF neighbors! So thankful! May we all allow God to enter and become one with us! Blessings, Mary
ReplyDeletePS First time I tried to comment, it wouldn't let me! Glad it's working!
I LOVE that we are neighbors over at LJ's today, Mary! You are such a gift to me, friend! (Glad you were able to comment... thanks for trying again! Not sure why that is - but I had someone else mention that on an earlier post this week too... ?) Makes this non-techy bloggers heart get a bit nervous when the Comments won't work! ;)
DeleteLove these photos! Just looking at them makes me feel relaxed and peaceful...calm enough to exhale!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? It was beautiful there! Sometimes I forget though - that I can close my eyes right where I am... and calmly exhale! (Still - I am a fan of the ocean blue!) ;)
Delete"It's not lazy. It is VITAL to your refreshing and refueling for what lies ahead... "
ReplyDeleteHow we neglect our own refreshing as we keep busy busy busy all the time. I've been thinking on this a lot lately and NEED MORE whitespace for sure!!! So thankful God calls us away to Himself!
Enjoyed your words friend!
Cynthia... Amen! I think - well, I know for me anyway - I can forget how important these times are and how vital they may be, not knowing what will be required of me in the next season! Always thankful when you stop by, my friend!
DeleteYes! I often feel "lazy" because I spend my days soaking things in, being the onlooker, enjoying the sun shining in through the trees, no rush for chores or anything but God because all that does is drain me mentally and then I have no room to inhale Him fully! Living quiet, without a schedule, in His name for me is really living! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh Marisa... I love that this is your normal life... I have had seasons where it was what I was called to and at first I bucked against it, but the fruit of spending time and soaking things in is undeniable and really - whether I am busy or not - that is the fruit that I want! As much as I talk about Lists of Things to Do and all kinds of Bossy... I live a fairly laid back lifestyle as well... and as much as it can feel like work for me to quiet myself once again - it is always always worth it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteI don't think I can even form a coherent comment as my brain is fried. All will be remedied in August when we do nothing but talk and eat good food and relax. However, I did want to stop in and say hi and lovely pictures. I can't wait to hang. I'll vox you next week about possible dates.
ReplyDeleteYes... August... and Yes! Voxer! And So much Yes and Amen to nothing but talking and good food and relaxing!!! I can. not. wait. Love you friend! (And OH MY GOODNESS, I just read your FMF post and no wonder your brain was fried... that was all kinds of beautiful my friend!)
DeleteWhat beautiful photos, friend, and such an important encouragement to do the good work of rest, breathing in and out Jesus. I appreciate you and your living breathing grace life. (And yes! to what Alia said!) Love you.
ReplyDeleteOh Ashley... it IS good work, isn't it? It can feel - in our crazy culture - like it is not work at all... but it is oh so necessary! We remember this, of course - AFTER we have worked to enter in to His rest. Looking forward to resting with you in August, my friend! It will be joy and grace and love... and rest!
DeleteHi Karrilee! Been a while since I've had the time to wander around the FMF posts and visit old friends. Maybe it's because I'm taking by own break starting today, or because I'm up too early on a day off after chronically oversleeping for the last week! Anyway, your post reminded me how long it's been since we've been up to Whidbey Island. It won't happen this summer—we've got our trip planned to the Oregon coast and we leave tomorrow—but maybe next year. Blessings to you, friend. Hope you have a good break from blogging and I'll see you around!
ReplyDeleteDavid... it's always so nice to see you here and have you join in on FMFs! Good for you for taking a break! I think often all that oversleeping is our body trying to tell us something! Whidbey Island is gorgeous and when the sun manages to find it - it's even better! ;) In fact, we are going back next month.... all that beauty and rest - I can't not go there! Enjoy your beach time... we normally head to the Oregon Coast as well but not sure that we will make that this year!
DeleteHey Karrilee, love your posts! I am the rest lady too, it freaks me crazy when people around me are so busy. But yip sometimes we got to break through in to that rest, its really true.
ReplyDeleteLove your photies - may you have a super fabulous weekend! Aliyah (setapartwarrior.blogspot.com)
Aliyah - I'm sure I have said it already but I just love your name! It's so beautiful! (What does it mean?) As I mentioned in an above comment, I talk about bossy lists and busy lives but overall we are pretty laid back and we are the same... too much time around that kind of busy chaos is draining... so glad that you are restful and breathing Him in too!
DeleteFind yourself some island time — I love that! Like you I'm in a quiet season, trying to be still more and do less. And yes, it is work sometimes to do that. To jump out of the patterns of behavior you are used to. But it is a blessing when you are able to make it work.
ReplyDeleteChristy @ A Heartening Life
www.ahearteninglife.com
Who doesn't love a little Island Time, right? Good to know I am in such good company, my friend! I think this is a season of rest for MANY of us and it makes me excited for what is up around the corner! Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!
DeleteYes! We all need to step away sometimes for rest! Thanks for the reflection!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Thanks for stopping by Courtney! Enjoy some Inhaling and Exhaling this weekend!
DeleteLove that you are always the encourager to the things God has already been speaking to my heart. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKindred, Amy! That is what we are, my friend! Love you so!
Deletemmm ... water, water everywhere! this, a restful place for me this evening. it was good to rub shoulders with you this week, Karrilee ... FMF does that for us all, doesn't it.
ReplyDeletesweetest weekend blessings ...