Restoring Our Impression of Father... A Five Minute Friday post.

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As this Father's Day weekend approaches, I know many are feeling all kinds of feels.  
The Good, the bad, and the ugly... right?

For many, Father's Day is a chance to celebrate an amazing Dad. For many others, however, this 'holiday' can stir up hard feelings, anger, resentment, old wounds, and fresh scars.  

Some experience a sense of loss because their father is no longer here... or at least 'there' (active and available in their every day lives), while others experience gratitude for the memories - both past and ones still being made.

Many of our single Moms pull the weight of mother and father and they deserve to be celebrated and prayed for this weekend as well!

I shared a bit over at LifeLetterCafe this week about that, but with our One Word Prompt this week being RESTORE, I am pretty sure we are going to go there today!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

I think back to when I was a baby Christian. 

I'm not sure why other than I remember a strange feeling rising up within me whenever I would hear anyone pray out loud.

It was a whole new concept to me --to pray out in the open to a God who couldn't be seen.

But it was more than that.

The community that I was plugged into as a new believer was one who often referred to God as Father. 

In prayer, it would be "Father God, this" and "Father God, that..." and while I liked my Dad just fine, this made me uncomfortable.

His Hands... a tribute to Fatherhood

An Ode to Fatherhood, inspired by my husband.

 

It was his hands that first held me... 

that first cupped my face and caressed my shoulders.

It was his hands that first loved me.

 

It's his hands that still, every day, 

gently guide me and strongly urge me forward.

It's his hands that help me up, 

pull me close, and push me on.

 

His hands have held on tight, 

and at times, let go loosely.

His hands are rarely, rarely ever clenched.

They always wide open, palms up, 

ready to praise, ready to pray...

Ready to practice what he preaches every day...

***

In honor of My Honey and Father's Day, I've updated a little piece written right here about four years ago and I am hanging out over at LifeLetterCafe. 

I'd love to have you join me over there and comment on that post about a man (or two) who has helped to father and shape you! Let's honor the men (and all the single Mama's... amen?) who we will celebrate on Sunday!

Come on over and jump in HERE!

Happy Father's Day
to everyone who has poured into me
and who flow from the Father's heart!

I'm Gonna Fly Again... A Five Minute Friday post.

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The only thing I can tell you is every year in June I get a call to sub for my old Bunco group... And every year I say yes, please! So that is where I was on Thursday... one day soon I will make it back to the tribal gathering on Twitter on Thursday nights (aka #fmfparty) -at least that is my hope and intention! Until then, let's write!

Our One Word this week is FLY!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

Fly... I see the word and I laugh because, yes! 
Yes... I want to do just that!

On a plane... sure...
but in general, in life... 
I want to soar.

I'm a dreamer and an artist and I am constantly standing up taller in who I am and how He has made me and I can promise you that when you discover and remember your true identity, operating in and out of that, --well... there is just nothing better!

As I've mentioned (too many times, probably!), we are in an In-Between season and things are still slow and silent.  This is mostly restful and so much grace, but every once in awhile around the edges, one can begin to question if we'll be invited out to fly again.

Return to What You Know For Sure... - A Five Minute Friday post.

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I know... I missed it again! But if it makes you feel any better, I didn't have ANY screens in front of me Thursday! I was battling a migraine and even though my heart was sitting in this chair, connecting with my tribe --my head was bossing me around in darker spaces, wanting to be horizontal and quiet.  I'm feeling MUCH better today... so here I sit, windows wide open, sunshine streaming in, coffee by my side (of course!) and ready to write! Let's go!

Our One Word this week is RETURN!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

Listen, sweet readers...

It's not like this is new news, but My Honey and I?
We are in a season of waiting... of living and lingering in the In-Between. 

I wrote about it a couple of times over the last few weeks... And while we have been gifted Great Peace, living in the middle, in the Not-Anymore-but-Not-Yet spaces, 
--it's not my favorite!

It would be easy --it may even feel more productive-- to give in to worry. To let our minds wander and our hearts get out of rhythm... to allow worry and doubt and fear to sneak right (back) in.  BUT... What God is asking of us in this season of waiting is to simply Return to What We Know For Sure!

Begin Again - a Book Review post.

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I know... I really do! I know you may get tired of me talking about All the Books... but buckle up, because this book right here? It was a gift in more ways than one and I'm about to tell you all about it!

I am a part of Revell Reads and this book, Begin Again -The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt & Receiving Rest by Leeana Tankersley divinely showed up on my doorstep at exactly the right time! (Because of course, right?) 

Begin Again... in this season of our lives, of my life, --this title is such an invitation!  (And if you know me even a little, you know the subtitle about rest had me at Hello!)

In other words...

When He Causes You to Pause in the In-Between... A Five Minute Friday post.

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I had every intention of joining the Tribe last night... but after all the fog and frustration of the mad rush of trying to understand and implement all things (well - at least some things!) GDPR, I needed a break. I needed to hit 'Pause' from all the screens and all the (over)thinking! You'll see what I did there in just a second...

Our One Word this week is PAUSE!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

You guys!?  

I don't know about you all, but I somehow managed to ignore all the GDPR talk or convince myself that it really didn't affect me. 

I mean - honestly, I still think it mostly doesn't... but the threat of fines and the reality that, in truth, I DO want my readers to rest assured that their privacy is a thing to me and I will not sell or distribute or abuse their information... those two facts caused me to feel overwhelmed and oh so behind this week.  

Also - the fact that I am one of the least techy bloggers out there, and I don't pay any attention to building platform or growing an audience. I just write what He tells me and trust He will put it in front of whoever may need to read it!

All of that to say this:
We are in ALL KINDS of transition right now...

It seems the Lord has us in this bubble of Peace while we wait in the In-Between of what was and what is to come!

Updated Privacy Policy... aka Thanks A Lot, GDPR!

This policy was last updated on May 24, 2018

Your privacy is important to us here at Abiding Love, Abounding Grace. The policy below outlines how your personal information is collected and how it is used when you use our website.

You agree to the terms of this policy when you use this website. This privacy policy may change from time to time. If any changes are made, then you will be notified by revising the date at the top of this policy.

When It's Time to Tell a Secret. A Five Minute Friday post.

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I have been silent around these parts yet again, but the Lord has been calling me back to this seat, to write this post... even before Kate gave us the prompt! Our One Word this week is SECRET!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

Maybe you haven't really noticed, but it feels like I've been keeping a little secret lately.

I've hinted at it... and maybe let a few things slip here and there. I've been quieter over the past year or so when it comes to writing or posting about a specific topic, but that was not how we started out. Oh no... we started out bringing y'all along with us on a new adventure and we now unexpectedly find ourselves in yet another new season. 

But let me back up.

This is the post where it's time to tell a little secret. This is the post where I talk about church. Not necessarily the church in general, but our church specifically.

The same church that we were extremely honored to help plant three years ago.  The same church that we prayed into and over and poured into and helped to grow.  The same church that we stepped down from a few months ago... the same one we have slowly been stepping away from. 
The same one we still madly love...



















We are leaning on and trusting in Peace Himself and we are following His lead... --even when His leading takes away from places that we're not sure we want to leave!

These Are the Days Of... (Spring 2018)

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A few years ago, Emily Freeman shared a tool that she uses to help herself stay present!  She makes lists titled, "These are the Days..." and she scribbles down what her days in that season hold.

Well --I'm a list lover and so I grabbed hold of this idea right away!  I'm also a poet from time to time, so I tend to blend the two!  

It's been a long while since I sat down and made a 'list' but it felt like it was time for an updated version! 

So, here we go!

These Are The Days Of...

(Spring 2018 edition)

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These are the days of...

Letting Things Go, and Giving Things Up.

Seasons Ending, Jobs Winding Down.

Hard, Honest talks and Grace doled out.

So Unsure, yet Peace abounds.

The Pull to Adapt... and How To Fight It! A Five Minute Friday post.

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It's been two weeks now that I have somehow managed to forget what Thursday nights are made for: Twitter parties, of course!  But I had a date for dinner out with some girlfriends who I haven't seen in awhile so since I tend to preach to myself as much or more than I preach to you, I choose face to face connections, over the screen kind. (Which are still so fantastic and real, but obviously... not as good!)

Our One Word prompt: ADAPT !  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

My first thought is of how it is good to adapt. 

I mean... it is pretty much required for survival! And it's not a bad thing, necessarily! We all adapt in one way or another (or fifty thousand.) 

There is such a strong pull to adapt to our surroundings... to adapt to the culture around us or the expectations put on us... to follow the rules and follow the crowd.

Then my mind switches and the slightly rebellious me speaks up a little louder and I began to think of all the ways the pull to adapt should be battled and how we should fight against it! At least sometimes! 

The pull to adapt to life around us oftentimes requires us to give up the life within us... to adjust, to blend in, to conform and be quiet. (And the rebellious me says, "No thanks, man.")

When You Fall for the Lie that You Are Stuck... A Five Minute Friday post.

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I completely forgot that last night was Thursday night which means a party over on Twitter with the #fmfparty crew. Sure, I missed Y'all, but let's be honest: yesterday was the first day that reached the 80-degree mark and that #patiolife was calling my name! You know how I roll!

It's also nearing 80-degrees already this morning however here I sit... letting this One Word prompt: STUCK have its' way with me!  This is Five Minute Friday!

{GO}

Come on, Kate! 
  Why you gotta do me this way?  

Every week, it's as if God is giving you the word and using it to stir me up to preach to myself Truths that I know, but sometimes forget!

I see the word Stuck and man, oh how I feel it! 
How I have felt it... 
the force of it, and the helplessness
of how it fits. (read: too tight)

And then He reminds me of what to do when you fall for the lie that you are stuck!

Everybody Always... (A Book Review & Giveaway post.)

***

Here's the thing... 
I love Bob Goff.

Well - I love him, and I hate dislike him... and here is why:

Both in reading his first book, Love Does, and in reading this second offering, Everybody Always, He points out the call to Love.  To, you know, be love.

Hello, tagline! Y'all know I love this. This is the same thing that God whispered to my heart years and years ago.  We are all, I believe, called to BE Love! 

In his newest book, Bob uses this language often. He uses the phrase "People who are becoming love..." and goes on to give examples of what they do or how they act.

The reason I struggle with Bob? It's this:
It's because he seems to actually DO it!

He actually puts into practice loving everybody always. 
Or at least that is his intention... on every day (...always.) 

No Shadow of Turning... Thank God! (A Five Minute Friday post.)

***

In hopes that you read my last post and then promptly, like me, unplugged and stepped away from screens, you will not be surprised that I didn't make it to the Twitter party for long last night! 

This is Five Minute Friday... and our One Word Prompt is: TURN! 

{GO}

I see the Word... and immediately think of how there is just really no shadow of turning with God. 

Like, ever.

God is ever faithful... ever true.  
He is our plumb line... our Cornerstone...
our sure and firm foundation... 

And if when everything else in life may be shifting and shaking... if it feels as though the sun is hiding and darkness is fast approaching... when it seems as though a straight path is not anywhere to be found and all you see before you are twists and turns... 

Rest assured... 
He holds steady and true...
and He holds you... 
right smack in the palm
of His nail-scarred hands!

The Real Value of Old-Fashioned FaceTime... aka Being Present.

***

Over the last few years, I have learned to love Mondays!  


Now I must be intentional about doing that earlier before the rest of my day unfolds. Mondays now start off with quiet time, but have expanded to include snuggles and stories and diapers and nap time with lots of pouring out love, too!


This simply meant that looking back made me tired, and looking ahead made me wish the days away sooner so the week would fly by.  


However, I know the value and necessity of staying present in the present! 

How I spend my Mondays now has changed with the arrival of Lil Miss, but for a season, Mondays were spent gloriously alone, just me and the Lord! 

One particular Monday not too long ago found me even more exhausted and depleted than normal. That was because the weekend was filled to the brim with good extroverty things and my week ahead was also filled with good somewhat extroverty/family things (which should read introverts gathering to introvert together!) 

Sometimes it is work to remain, yes?

When You Remember You Have Another Choice... A Five Minute Friday post.

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I can't tell you how there has been this theme simmered on low in our lives for the past couple of months.  Actually - it's a reoccurring theme and we try to not get too far from its' path but MAN... I think this is a message we ALL need to be reminded of every once in awhile.  

We'll dig into it below, but first: This is Five Minute Friday... and our One Word Prompt is: OTHER! 

{GO}

I see the word and immediately flashback to several events that have unfolded for us over the last several months... and I'm reminded that we always have a choice.  

We get to choose feelings of faith or fear...
of peace or peril.

We've tried not to forget this over the last couple of weeks, but in reality -- it's been an intentional choice to hang on to Peace over the coarse of our lives for a very long time now!

We huddle in close and we lean in quietly and we silence our fears and remind ourselves that we have another choice.  

We could choose fear... or worry... or doubt. 
We could. 

Often times that really feels wise anyway. 
It feels like we almost should!  
Like... it makes sense!

On How You Are His Beloved Child and His Beloved Bride... But On How He's Not After a Child-Bride!

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A few nights ago, I woke up hearing the whisper of God softly, lovingly saying "...but I'm not after a Child-Bride! It's time for Maturity to manifest in the Church."

OK. I get that. 

I could tell there was more to it, however I somehow slept through the first part of that conversation! A few hours later after some coffee and --well, being vertical for a bit-- I sat down again and asked Him a few questions. You know, for clarity!

He reaffirmed that yes, we are His Beloved Children... and yes, we are His Beloved Bride. We are both --but He's not coming back for a Child-Bride.

He's ready for us to mature into
the Lover He longs for!

Release the Secret Weapon - A Five Minute Friday post.

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I woke up the other day hearing the Lord mid-sentence. We'll talk about what He shared with me next week, but the point is this: 

He is speaking... 
  and I am hearing!
           #JazzPraiseHands and #HallelujahAmen

But for now... this is Five Minute Friday... and our One Word Prompt is: RELEASE! 

{GO}

I'm not one to believe in coincidence. I know it is sometimes easier to reason things away but it seems with every weekly prompt as of late God has already been speaking to me all around the one word.

And with Release... well, it seems we are in a season of releasing things and the Lord is merciful and kind.  Even when it doesn't feel like it... even when He may need to pry my fingers open in order for me to let go!  

There are seasons that He calls us to step up and pick up some things, and oh boy - there are seasons when He calls us to step down and lay down some things, too!

But as soon as I saw the prompt I knew we would not really dig in to all of that quite yet! Maybe one day we'll talk about the laying down and letting go in order to make room for the unknown-whatever-is-next... but not today. Oh no... 

Today I want to talk about a secret weapon that should be anything but secret... and how He released it long ago and it is a GIFT for us to unwrap and put on... put to use... and how using it makes all the difference!

How Jesus Settled the Score... - A Five Minute Friday post.

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I have been pacing myself back into a normal routine... resting my eyes a bit each day still. That resting time just so happens to be right around my normal writing time. So it has been quiet around here as of late. But that is not the only reason. The other reason is that we have had some changes in our little world... and since I write from my heart, I wanted to be sure my heart was good before I let any words spill out! 
#wisdom #yourewelcome #noteverythingismeantfortheinternets 

The Five Minute Friday community is the best gathering of Flashmob writers around!  We wait for the one word prompt and we throw caution and hesitation and editing to the wind, and we let our fingers fly and our feelings feel and we just wait and see what flows out in five minutes (or so! Because, grace!) and we hit Publish without second guessing or backspacing! 

Our one word prompt is: SETTLE! 

{GO}

I see this word and think, yet again, 
about how I am like a broken record and this word?
Yeah... it's not in my vocabulary.  

I've had to fight my way through
the temptation of it time after time,
and I've had to stand on ground that felt shaky and unsteady, 
but I know down deep in my bones that
God will never ask us to settle.

I say it all the time...
I preach it to family and friends... 
and to my own self when needed.

Settle, I believe, is not really in
God's vocabulary either!  

Well... at least not in some ways! 
Some definitions of Settle
are completely like Jesus... 
But others? --Not so much!

On this weekend, especially,
we know that our God
--He knows how to
Settle the Score, right?

When It's Not Just Your Weary Body That Is Tired... a Five Minute Friday post.

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It just figures that after a three week hiatus... after three weeks of being grounded and of battling sickness and believing for healing and of enforced 'rest'... well - Tired still somehow applies and that is our One Word Prompt today.

The Five Minute Friday community is the best gathering of Flashmob writers around!  We wait for the one word prompt and we throw caution and hesitation and editing to the wind, and we let our fingers fly and our feelings feel and we just wait and see what flows out in five minutes (or so! Because, grace!) and we hit Publish without second guessing or backspacing! Our one word prompt is:TIRED! 

{GO}

I have been grounded for three weeks... but I had been tired for much, much longer than that!

While I was given a doctors' order to simply (ha!) stop all the things and rest my eyes, the Lord gave me His order to stop all the things and rest... my eyes, yes --but also my mind and my bossy lists and my pouring out and my restless, relentless want for clarity.  

Yes, He asked me to simply stop every little thing and sit and wait... to sit and trust... to sit (or nap, thank you Jesus) and realize that it wasn't just my physical body that hit a brick wall... it was not just my body that was tired, but my soul that was a little busted up and bruised... my heart a little weary and worn out. 

So He asked me to cancel all the plans (which is normally like Christmas morning for an introvert) and just sit and wait... and He asked me to learn to be comfortable in being uncomfortable. 

Great! Super! Fun!
  (only exactly the opposite of that!)