Here we are… embracing another Friday!
I’m writing this on Thursday evening as I’m hanging out with some of my favorite people on the planet at #fmfparty (Five Minute Friday party) on Twitter. Goodness, they bless me. Tonight we were talking about writing, and ebooks, and chocolate. Funny, my husband and I were talking similar things earlier tonight. He’s one of my favorites, too.
It’s time for Five Minute Friday!
I moved Five Minute Friday to my other blog through the month of October. It’s good to have it back here. Five minutes of free-writing on a one-word prompt with no concern for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. Talk about freeing! We all come together to share our writing at Kate Motaung’s. Such a lovely place over there. Why not join us? If you have a blog, try it out. If not, feel free to use my space below to write your five minutes and share it. I’d love to read it!
This week’s word:
–Turn–
Go.
This week I feel like I have turned a corner.
December 31 last year I wrote a post about January 1 being “the first blank page of a 365 page book.” I was set out to “write” an amazing story this year as I lived out my simple life.
I’ve come to the reality we have about 56 days left of this year. That means I have only 56 blank “pages” to write in 2014.
I paused this week to reflect on my life. To look back and to gaze forward. I’m thankful, and I’m excited.
I look back at the “pages” this year, and as I turn each one, I am in awe of what God has done in my life. How He has guided me. How He has drawn me close to Him. How He has guided, blessed and protected our children. How He has encouraged my husband, and united our family. How He has given me a passion to write, and the ability to do it full-time alongside a part-time career.
It’s been good to look back.
I turn the page and look ahead.
This week I believe God gave me a glimpse of my future. And I’m nothing short of excited. I know it’s going to take work and dedication, but through His strength and peace, I believe the glimpse I saw will become a beautiful reality.
It’s your turn. As you turn today’s page, tomorrow is a blank one. What will you write on it? What details of your life will be written on the last 56 “pages” of this year?
Let’s give it all we’ve got, and make it a beautiful ending to 2014 together.
Stop.
Okay, I wrote for 6 minutes 23 seconds. I couldn’t stop in the middle of my thought. It’s a blessing to have you here with me. Join me in finishing this year strong, won’t you? Thank you for journeying with me. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know.
Blessings!
Julie
Wow, Julie! When you put it that way, it only makes me want to really redeem these final days of the year. Where did it go, anyway? And what’s God inviting us to in these final weeks?
Your prompt has hit home for me! Thanks …
Hi Linda! How are you? Thanks for stopping by today. Where did this year go?? I’m asking that same question. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has for all of us in these final weeks. Have a great Friday and a blessed weekend!
Beautiful post, and I won’t tell anyone about the extra minute-and-a-bit.
It’s hard for me to say what I want to write on the last 56 pages of 2014’s diary. I don’t know how I’ll be physically tomorrow – I only know that the only easy day was yesterday.
Today it hurt too much to move. Be a bummer if tomorrow were that bad, but it’s sure possible.
And yet – I can witness to hope through my writing. Not the “I’ll be cured!” hope, but the hope and faith that I can still, through kindness and compassion, make a difference.
Hi Andrew. I’m sorry to read you’ve been in physical pain. I’m praying this morning for relief for you, and for your day to be easier than yesterday. Yes, you can witness hope through your writing. What a gift that is! I’ll stop over and visit your space soon. Hang in there. God’s got you in the palm on His hand.
Hello Lovely,
Looking back and gazing forward… it’s beautiful to do that isn’t it?! I too am in awe of all that has been written in my book for 2014 and yet I am nervously excited to see what unfolds in 2015. This turning, this pursuing, this glory-giving, it is all breath taking!
Cheers to ending this “book” with 56 more pages of an amazing faith journey!
Hi Brandi! I’m with you, friend, on being excited to see what unfolds in 2015. Yes, let’s end this “book” beautifully. So glad God crossed our paths in 2014! You’re a beautiful blessing! Thanks for stopping in and sharing today. Have a great Friday!
Julie, what a great reminder that each day is a new opportunity. Although this year has been a year of loss in so many ways for my family, we have also seen God’s hand at work in amazing ways. Today is a new day to see Him at work again. Bless you for reminding of that. Peace and grace….. #FMFparty
Hi Leah! Welcome. So glad you stopped by and shared. I’m sorry to read your year has been touched by loss. I’ve had years like that too, and they are painful. Yet, as you mentioned, the hand of God is still evident in amazing ways. Praying for you this morning. May God strengthen you and comfort you, especially today. Peace and grace to you, as well!
Julie- I love your page-turning analogy! And your new turn of events sounds exciting! Great post! I’m glad I stopped by, and here’a to a great ending! 🙂
Karen! How are you?? Thank you for stopping by today. I always love to see your smile appear here. Yes, here’s to a great ending! Blessings, my friend!
Hi Julie. Visiting from the linkup
I saw you mentioned this during our FMFparty but seeing the days left in the year fleshed out make me ponder back over this past year and what i’ve seen in the pages of my life this past year. Every year that I’ve been doing a OneWord365 challenge I’ve found that the word I find GOd lays on my mind is not what I think it will look like in the end. The first year it was Brave and it looked different then I imagined, this year its been freedom which has also been more thorough and self-changing then originally anticipated. I have to trust that each time he gives me a word to be cognoscent of He’s going to be doing some work in my life in that area. Thank you for this reminder and challenge to make the most of the days left in this year. That He will be glorified in all things…
Hey friend! It made my morning seeing you here! How are you?? I love the one word challenge! I’ve not done that. Each year God seems to give me a Bible verse to cling to. This year it was Isaiah 43:19, and you’re right… it’s not what I think it will look like in the end. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts and perspective on finishing this year. May He be glorified in ALL things and in these weeks as we finish out 2014. Blessings to you, dear sister!
I love this way of looking at a year–365 blank pages to fill in our story. I hope I’ve been filling mine with good things–things that encourage and uplift others; experiences that make me a better, more compassionate person. Only 56 days left? That’s just crazy! This year has flown by, for sure. I’m so glad I’ve found wonderful new friends in this community of bloggers who write for five (ish) minutes on Thursday nights (I’ll confess to not timing myself–mostly because I usually get one sentence written, get interrupted, write another sentence, and take care of another interruption, etc.).
Hi Anita! I am hoping the same, Anita! This year has flown by so quickly. I don’t understand how it does that. I’m glad God crossed our paths on Thursday nights as well. You’re such a blessing and full of encouragement! And yes, the interruptions. But those are okay too, aren’t they?? I don’t always time myself either when the interruptions happen. (Your secret’s safe with me.) Blessings to you, dear friend!