Have you met Lisa-Jo Baker? If not, I invite you to go meet her now. On Fridays she hosts a community called 5 minute Friday. She gives a word prompt and a bunch of people join in and write…for 5 minutes without editing. No back tracking, no re-writing, no AGONIZING over ever word and phrase. Just write. Link up and the most important thing…you have to comment on at least a couple of the posts that linked up just before you.
If you have never participated, give it a try. The rules are simple. Check them out and get the button code here.
TODAY’S WORD: STAY
After multiple attempts at trying to think of something to write for stay…I have nothing.
NADA.
ZIP.
I wanted so badly to write words that would touch hearts.
Touch lives.
Have someone say…WOW! She wrote that in 5 minutes?!?
But, you know something…this space isn’t about me. It’s not about writing words that draw comments and praise from readers. Which – comments and praise – we know is the love language of bloggers! 🙂
No, this space I have given to him. And when I wanted to walk away from it, he said No. Stay my child…I will tell you what to write.
So, I stay. And on this 5 minute Friday with such a great prompt. I stay.
And I stand still.
And I realize, once again…that it isn’t about me.
It isn’t about comments and praise.
It is about staying still.
Listening to his still small voice saying. Stay right here, Mary. Stay quiet.
Stay calm and I will tell you what to write. I have given you the plans for this space.
Just. STAY. STILL. today. No fretting about words.
And I do.
And the timers dings.
And I stop.
STOP
Read other 5 minute Friday posts on STAY here.
For HIM – yes, it's for him. Stay in this moment. Where words may or may not come. Your words…are beautiful and perfect. I am blessed by them and will 'stay' here with you!
Thank you, Rebecca. Yes, it is for him!
Amen, amen.
Ahh, Mary-words that touch, remind me to stay as well. That it really isn't all about me, or you, or them. It's really all about Him. Praising God for the reminder today! thank you.
Oh, Nancy…you bless me with your comment. Thank you.
Oh, I love your heart! As I read your post, I could "hear" you reading it to me. Your honesty and openness are what drew me to you and it was reaffirmed in today's post. Even when it doesn't go as planned, stay. Stay.
Oh, my dear friend…thank you.
This is why I love you so, Friend! I see Him in you! Thank you for giving me that gift…
To God be the glory….yes. that's what I want, too!
Nikki…you and Stefanie are going to make me cry. I love you friend.
Mary, I wish I could have had more time with you at Allume. We were always coming or going or with someone else. I have gotten several glimpses of the amazing woman that you are and I want more. This post is one of those glimpses.
I had to laugh when I read about the love language of bloggers. So true! I have thought a lot about this and want to be careful about it, too. I think blogging can become addictive because we get an unrealistic amount of praise. It's not a praise that is available in our everyday lives. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh friend…I also wish we'd had more time to connect. It just didn't happen. You are so warm and inviting…just like I thought you would be in person.
Thank you for your comment here…it blesses me and I am truly humbled!
I am glad you are staying, I so enjoy your blog.
Thank you, Sharon.
You always bless, Mary. Five minutes or not:)
Kimberly!! Thank you. I was so excited to see you had stopped by.
WOW! She wrote that in 5 minutes! AND, it speaks volumes Mary! I am so glad you sat still and listended…and stay! xo
Oh, Kathy…I just love you!
Love how you stayed still and listened for His Words, and you gave us a gift by showing us that sometimes God just wants us to quiet and He is quiet also…kind of like how good friends can sit quiet, without words…Blessings, dear Mary 🙂 You bless when you just show up and obey Him 🙂
Love your post–
Hope your Thanksgiving is richly blessed dear friend–love you!