Five Minute Friday: Opportunity

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Joy

Today I’m joining in the five minute Friday conversation through the Gypsy Mama. I have five minutes to write, start to finish on a selected topic.

“We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to run when we were kids.

I’ve heard it said, many times, that “Opportunity knocks.”
Maybe for some, but for me, most of the time, it kicks down the door.

I’m not talking about incredible, money making opportunities or things of that sort. I’m referring to the everyday opportunities that I do not always notice. The kind of opportunities that happen all around me as I’m living life.

When I’m on my computer and my child comes and sits next to me asking, “Will you read this book to me?” That is an opportunity to engage and be fully present with my child. Sadly, I do not always take it, but when I do, I don’t ever regret it.

When I’m in a hurry to get somewhere and cannot be bothered by traffic lights or people and inevitably there is someone moving slower than I would like them to be in the crosswalk. What a beautiful opportunity to, slow down, take a breath, maybe even lift a hand in a friendly wave while smiling and thank God that I have a car to drive and am capable of doing so many things that bring me happiness.

When a friend stops me in the store with an obvious burden that needs to be heard and I am in a hurry to get in and get out. I can stop what I’m doing and listen. I can be genuine and kind without being there for an hour. This is a great opportunity to show through my actions how important relationships are.

When someone lets me go ahead of them and the long line of cars behind them in the drive-thru at Starbucks, it provides an excellent opportunity to pay for their coffee and ask the Barista to tell them, “Thank you! Happy Thursday!” (or whatever day it is.)

How many opportunities do I come across throughout my day to be generous, compassionate, attentive, forgiving, accepting, encouraging, supportive, present, loving and soothing? (just to name a few.) I don’t want to miss those.

Many opportunities are just as important for the provider as for the receiver.

STOP

When I was a Christian

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Joy

I grew up in a loving home surrounded by “God-fearing” parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. My mom says that I prayed to receive Christ at age two. Though she was unable to decipher my words, she’s certain that’s what I did.

I distinctly remember at age seven, sitting at the kitchen counter, across from my mom, when my dad called to say that my grandfather’s long and painful battle with cancer was over. And just like that I learned of mortality…

To continue reading this post, please visit Leanne Penny’s site here where she has started a unique series called, “Beautiful Scars.”

Weekly Photo Challenge: Blue

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Joy

For this week’s photo challenge I decided to go with nature. Enjoy!

Reflections

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Joy

Look beyond the surface
Beyond the noise
Past first glance
There you will find
The reflection

‘Where’s my backpack ?’ is running a photo challenge as this week there has been none issued from the Daily Post.

Five Minute Friday: Identity

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Joy

On Fridays over here a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real. Your words. This shared feast.

Before reading today’s topic I was up on my soapbox talking about raw beauty. When seeing the parallel between my post and the topic I was excited.

I wish I could say that I find my identity solely in Christ. I want to. But that wouldn’t be entirely true. I’m better than I once was, but I’m not there yet.

So where do I find my identity? (Let’s name just 5)

My writing.
My relationship with my husband.
My children.
My work.
My family.

When those things fail me or make me feel less than valuable (which they inevitably will), I run back to the arms of the Father, thanking Him for being my refuge.

I want to do that even when everything is great in all of the other areas! I want to read my bible more and view it as a letter from my Savior. I want to look forward to being able to study His teachings and promises.

And though I long to be in His presence, sitting quietly while soaking up His splendor, I do not seek out the truth in His word nearly enough.

I, at times, make myself an island, hiding behind my computer screen and getting lost in online reading, writing and picture editing.

My identity has been one of confusion and change. However, more and more I see myself settling into the place of my Lord and finding great fulfillment and peace in His sovereignty.

STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unfocused

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Joy

Though my eyes began to cross after looking at pictures out of focus, I like the challenge this week. It goes against everything that I consider “great” photography.

Thoughts flash through my mind like, “What if someone who is seeing my work for the first time thinks that this is what I consider acceptable?”

I then realize how silly that is. Anyone who is creative knows that the best way to become better at your craft is by being the willing student and viewing the canvas of the opportunity as if there is no box in which to conform. For some of us, in order to do that, we must approach life through the eyes of a child. What better way to do that than at LEGOLAND Discovery Center?

That said, here is my interpretation of unfocused. I’m not going to title these. I want to hear your guess on what they are.

Always remember to play. If it’s the best way for children to learn, why not for those of us who are children at heart?

This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Unfocused. You may curse or cheer this week’s theme. We’re looking for that picture which is unfocused. It may be completely intentional, or accidental. You might have thought about trashing it, but in the end it definitely conveys something.
~Be sure to visit the comments section of Sara’s entry for fellow bloggers interpretations.~

Five Minute Friday: Real

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Joy

It’s Friday and you know what that means!
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
Here are my best five minutes on: REAL

In a world where so many things are not real it’s nice to come across the things that are.

So much of our lives are lived online, it’s rare to connect with a real person…well…ever.
If I wanted to, I could avoid ever talking to, interacting with or seeing another person.
Virtually everything we need can be done online.

Don’t get me wrong, I love that I can order anything (including groceries), attend church, video conference, write letters, sign petitions, support ministries, look through photo albums of friends I haven’t seen in years, instant message and so many other things, anytime of the day, without ever changing out of my pj’s or leaving the house.

However, it makes me all the more aware that I must make a conscious effort to build real relationships. I must be deliberate about real compliments, real “Thank you’s” and real “How are you doing(s)?” Or, no matter the intention, it is lost in translation from keyboard to screen.

We can get almost anything we want now, as long as we have the cash or credit to back up the desire. The thing that we can’t get, no matter how much money or time or resources we have, is the ability to be 100% authentic or… real.

It takes time, awareness, sacrifice, investment…but it is so worth it.

STOP

OK, are you ready? What does real mean to you?

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.