Five Minute Friday: Backwards

Thanks for stopping by and joining in the Friday fun!

Gypsy Mama writes: I remember how powerful the written word is. To encourage, to laugh, to cheer, to pray, to listen, and love. Sometimes all it takes is five minutes.
Five minutes to just write, and not worry if it’s just right or not.
Kind of like how friendship should be.
Got five minutes? Here’s a great way to spend them, and here's the rules.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.

2. Link back to her site and invite others to join in.

3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

So, let's write! Here is my offering today:

Five Minute Friday-Backwards

Self! Self!

My mom tells me that those were words that I used to use when I was a toddler, apparently loudly and often. She would grow frustrated sometimes, not surprisingly, at my insistence on doing everything myself, at the speed and quality of a 3 year old.

I am surprised she and dad never left me behind when they took all seven of us kids shopping.

Wait a minute, there was that time when they inadvertently left without me, they said....

Self! Self!

Why is it I am still crying out those words today as an adult? 

Why am I doing my life backwards, and wondering why plans don't come together the way I want?

Perhaps because when I pray, I talk, and talk, and talk, and ask, but often forget to LISTEN. I know that God is amazing, and if I will just slow down and LISTEN, he will guide me where he wants to take me. He has packed my luggage with incredible gifts, and he wants me to take an amazing journey, but I have to LISTEN to figure out the details.

Perhaps it is time to start moving forwards, in faith, rather than just by myself. After all, as Jeremiah 29:11 states:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  (NIV)

I just have to be patient and put my inner toddler into timeout while I take time to just breathe, let go and listen.

*End Time*

-Editorial Note: The beginning of the post is copied from a word doc that I keep handy. As it is just general background and information on Five Minute Fridays, especially for folks who are landing here for the first time, I don't count it in my five minutes...

If this message really hits you in your heart, I invite you to read these other related posts for inspiration:

Where are you and where are you supposed to be?
Sailing away from the Island of Settle
Where's my ticket, Lord, and whose luggage is this?

Five minute Friday-On Waiting

I know it is Saturday, but I just found this great site-The Gypsy Mama-and her Five Minute Friday challenge. Every Friday she gives a prompt and you are supposed to write about it in 5 minutes.  Only 5 minutes!  Also, no edits!  Just write.  So here goes . . .

Waiting. We wait on so much. Doctors. Family. Friends. Waiters. Ourselves. God. Those last two are especially difficult. Why are we waiting on ourselves, and why am I waiting on God? Why am I not just moving forward, trusting Him to guide my steps if I just listen? I have struggled a great deal over the last several years, as I went through several job changes, including unemployment. I have been praying to be led to my true purpose, but have not yet heard my answer.

This morning I had to laugh, mostly in embarrassment, because while I prayed I became impatient. I did some railing. "God! What is it that you want from me? I'm here. I'm ready. I am definitely not using the talents and tools you have given me where I am now. I want to help folks. Tell me how to get there, because I just don't know where I am going and I am not feeling particularly useful or helpful or appreciated where I am now!"

A funny thing happened. I felt compelled to stop praying and waiting and start writing. Right then. Right this minute, Kimberly Ann. So I did. Hours passed. I posted to my blog for the first time in over a year. I felt like finally I had come up for air, like the purpose finally fit.

Oh. Right. What's one of the questions I have been asking others, but haven't really been able to answer myself? "What is it that you do, that when you do it, time just flies, and it doesn't even feel like work?" Oh. That would be writing on my blog. That's what I call a Whack on the Side of the Head from God. It's an ouchy in a good kind of way.
Whew. Done. Ok, I used a few extra seconds.

Beyond the five minute deadline:

In the interest of transparency, I have to admit that after I wrote the first few sentences I was drawn to copy part of an email I had sent to my daughters this morning. Consequently, this was not written completely from scratch in five minutes. Isn’t it funny that when we write that sometimes the words and message head off in a direction that we did not anticipate or intend? That’s one of the things about writing that I love: I am just never really sure of the message until the post is finished, even though I have an end in mind when I begin.

One for the girls

Normally, I am not a person who forwards many emails. Who has time, with all the responding required to those requests for assistance from deposed dignitaries from third world countries who are prepared to send you millions of dollars?

However, this one made me smile--even though there is no promise of riches within. I hope you enjoy it as well. I mean, really, how can you not just love this photo that accompanied the email?

One for the girls
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my shape to keep..
Please no wrinkles, Please no bags
And please lift my butt before it sags.
Please no age spots, Please no gray
And as for my belly, Please take it away.
Please keep me healthy, Please keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done.