Five Minute Friday.
It’s free-writing at its best. Five minutes straight on a one-word prompt. Nothing fancy. Nothing typical. But an opportunity to let the words fly. It’s freeing and fun and blesses this heart of mine. We gather and share at Kate Motaung’s each week to encourage and be inspired.I invite you to try it… either on your own blog, in the comments section below, or on a piece of paper at your desk.
This week’s word:
–PRESENT–
GO.
This week I chose to be present. The night prior, though, I was second-guessing my decision. But I knew it was the right one for me.
Being present is a blessing.
My younger brother and I drove six hours south on Wednesday to attend the celebration service of our grandmother’s life. (She passed away last week at 96 years old.) We were there a couple hours, then turned around and drove six hours back. Twelve hours and 700 miles in a car. On some winding back roads. For the sake of our grandmother and to be present for our aunt and uncle.
It was definitely the right decision for me, as I believe I was the one to receive the biggest blessing.
I think of the many times I chose not to be present. When I chose to do the easier thing, the simpler thing. When I chose to put my needs ahead of another’s. When I chose to be present for myself, and not for someone else. And I wonder how many blessings I missed out on because of those choices.
I desire to be present.
And sometimes that means to stop striving. To cease activity. To be physically present, as well as mentally present. To shut out the distractions, and to focus on who and what’s important right in front of me.
To seek God’s presence in my life and to begin right there. And I’m reminded of Psalm 46:10:
“Be still and know I am God.”
To be still more, and be active less. To seek God more, and to seek myself less.
Where can you and I today be present? When we look around us, who and what do we see?? Who can use your presence and mine in his/her life today?
STOP.
Let’s make a difference by being present.
Much love,
Julie
Julie, I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. You had such a blessing to have her for so long. You must miss her now. I loved your post. I’ve thought often about what being present looks like. I’m discovering that sometimes being present WILLINGLY is the thing that makes the difference. I totally agree that we need to be still if we want to know how to truly be present in others’ lives.
Beautiful post, my friend!
Thank you, Jeanne. I agree with you… willingly is the key. I appreciate that thought, because truly, it does make all the difference. I’m continually working on that being still part, though. Bless you, friend. I appreciate you being here.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. 96 is a great age to live to, I pray I can live that long. Be still and know that I am God is one of my favorite verses. I have on plaque right above my light switch in my room to remind me to be still and sit in His presence!!
your fmf friend parked at number 5 this week
Hi Miranda! Thank you. Yes, 96 is a long life. She was a great woman. What a perfect place to have that verse in your room! Love that. I appreciate your presence here. Bless you!
Julie, I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. That is sad, but what a celebration it must have been 96 years. That was a sacrifice to go, but I’m so glad you were blessed. Yes to being still more. (Great Bible verse for being present.
Thank you, Betsy. I’m still working on the being still part. I love that verse too. Thanks for stopping in, friend!
Julie, I am so sorry about your grandmother…but glad that you had the chance to ‘be there’.
I can be present in my dogs’ lives, in person…but interaction with people is so cumbersome now that I can only be present through the Internet, and I hope it is enough.
#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/01/your-dying-spouse-109-fmf.html
Andrew, I understand. I read your post, and being present online is enough. It’s more than enough. You have a big presence and it’s one I certainly appreciate. Hope you’ve had a good day today. You continually are in my prayers.
Julie, my condolences for the loss of your grandma. So wonderful that you got to be there for the celebration of her life. We can definitely all all use your advice on bring more present – to work harder at ridding ourselves of the distractions around us to be that way. Have a great weekend.
Lynette
~#9 this week
Thank you, Lynette. I think I needed the advice the most! Hope all is going well with you today. Thanks so much for stopping over. I’ll be over soon to read your words too!
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you, Deborah! Bless you for stopping over.
Sorry for your loss, Julie! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Denise! I appreciate you stopping over.
Julie- I’ll be praying for you as you grieve. You are so right here – we miss so many blessings when we are running ahead or lagging behind of where God has called us. What a great reminder for me today. Thank you. Happy Friday!
Hi Karen! Thank you for your prayers. I don’t want to miss a thing when it comes to God’s blessings. It was a reminder for me too. I’ll be over to your place soon. Looking forward to reading your take on “present.” Bless you!
Julie, I’m sorry about your grandmother. And your words about being present in the lives of others by shutting out the distractions and focusing on what’s right in front of us is pure gold.
Hi Debbie! Thank you. My grandmother lived a wonderful, long life. She was a dear. Those words are some I needed to be reminded of. I’ll be over to visit your place soon. Thanks for stopping in!
I love that “Be still and know” passage. Sounds like you did the right thing and were indeed blessed by it. I too think I’ve missed out on blessings because I haven’t been in the here and now. I’m in the #60 spot this week.
Hi friend. It’s good to see you here again. I am continually blessed by your presence. Thank you. I’ll be over to visit you soon. I love that passage too!
Ah, thank you for the reminder. I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother, and I’m glad you were able to make the trip. When I lost my grandmothers, I was unable to attend their services, and I realize that maybe the barrier was more in my mind than in reality. I COULD have taken time off. But I was young. I have learned that we go to be present for those who remain.
Thank you, Anita. She lived a beautiful, long life. I understand. The choices we made when we were younger are often different than the ones we make now. I’m glad we can learn from our youth. Thanks for being here, friend. I’ll be stopping over to read your words as well.
Dearest Julie,
“Present” – its a topic at the top of my Momma’s highest concerns list. I’m a new Stay at Home Mom, who is also starting to navigate the blogging world. Being a natural task-driven, goal oriented person, I sometimes find it difficult to spend hours in the floor “playing.” I want to be fully present for my son, but achieving balance in it all is tricky.
These words really hit home for me: “And sometimes that means to stop striving. To cease activity. To be physically present, as well as mentally present. To shut out the distractions, and to focus on who and what’s important right in front of me.”
“Cease activity and be mentally present” – two things I am praying for more help with.
Blessings to you in all you do!
Leigh Ellen
Hi Leigh Ellen! I’m familiar with your words, because you and I must be a lot alike. Many days when I was home with my babies, I had to literally force myself to “play.” It was some of the hardest work I ever did. 🙂 But I forced myself to be present. It wasn’t easy, but looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Time goes so quickly. Now that my children are grown, I still need to be present. It’s a life-long skill we continue to learn and one I continue to pray for too. Bless you in your motherhood, friend! Thanks for stopping over.