It’s Five Minute Friday!
Where many of us join together to free-write for five minutes on a one-word prompt. But it’s more than that, Five Minute Friday is community. Where we encourage, bless, pray for one another, and lift each other up. Be sure to read Kate’s post where we gather each week and share our posts, and the encouragement begins. I invite you to try it too… either on your own blog, in the comments below, or at your kitchen table.
This week’s word:
–LIFT–
Go.
Two weeks ago tonight my husband and I spent time with my friend Jen, whom I met through this Five Minute Friday community. We were passing through her city on RAGBRAI, and Jen allowed us to shower at her home. (Let me tell you, on RAGBRAI a shower is one of the greatest gifts one can receive! Who cares if my hair is wet in this pic… I was clean!) That’s the kind of friend Jen is… she let’s you clean up in her shower.
Jen and I have connected a couple of times before that, and her company is always a pleasure. She’s beautiful, inside and out, and I enjoy my moments with her. My heart goes out to her this week. Jen’s mother passed away at 52 years old, unexpectedly this week. Reading her post on facebook, I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
It took me back to when my mom passed away, and the pain suddenly resurfaced. I might understand some of what Jen is feeling. Even though the pain of losing Mom was (and still is some days) awful, I am now able to relate to those to walk this painful journey of grief. And I can walk beside them.
Maybe you’ve been there too. I pray not. But, if you have, you can relate as well.
Will you join me in lifting Jen up in your prayers? Friend, how can I lift you, and your needs, in prayer to our Lord today? It would be an honor to pray for you.
Stop.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
–Psalm 121 Message
Bless you, friends. I’m glad I get to journey through life with you.
Julie
We are totally of one mind this week Julie – I wrote on Psalm 121 as well! Praying for Jen and her family.
Thanks, Sarah, for stopping over. Loved your post! Have a blessed week!
Prayers up for Jen.
Julie, this is an incredibly grace-filled post. Thank you for writing it.
#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/08/your-dying-spouse-192-ki-to-lift-fmf.html
Thank you, Andrew. I know we’re all praying for Jen. Glad we can lift one another up to our Lord. Bless you, brother.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jen’s mom. Will be lifting her up in my prayers.
Thanks, Barbie. Bless your week, friend!
What a wonderful friend Jen is! I have had to stop by friends’ homes when our power has been out and it such a blessing to be able to shower.
Prayers for Jen!!
Hi Kadie! Yes, and amen. So thankful for friends! Thanks for praying for Jen.
Thank you for such a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. Although I can’t relate directly concerning my own mom, I lost a special aunt last night and a treasured mentor last month. Death is a powerful reminder that heaven is for real. Will also be praying for her and her family.
I’m so sorry for your losses, Shauna. Those hit close to home. Yes, you are correct. Death reminds us heaven is real… so glad it is! Blessings to you today.
Showers what a blessing, and what a blessing your post is today. Love how you can lift your friend up in her loss. I woke up this morning thinking about my Mom and missing her. That pain never goes away does it?
You are correct, it never goes away. Glad we can lift each other! I’m doing that for you today. Blessings!
Love this picture of you and Jen.
Thanks, Susan. I do too!
Praying for Jen and her family. My heart just breaks for them all.
Mine too, Tara.
Julie! Wow. Thank you for sharing some personal attachments to Jen and this experience. I am so sorry for your loss as well as hers. Thank you again for your encouragement to me last week. I was unable to get back to those comments until today as we took a small vacation to see my first niece shortly after last week’s prompt.
I was holding my delightful niece Friday and didn’t post at all.
Love,
Tammy
What a gift, Tammy! A vacation AND a bonus of holding your niece! So glad you took time off to enjoy life. Bless you, Tammy!!