Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
We write for five minutes flat. All on the same posted prompt. No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real. So now on Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right, gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes.
This week's prompt: TRUE
....and GO
Here's the truth. I have no clue what I'm doing as a blogger. God told me to write (I know, there are some who will read this and indulgently smile and think to themselves - oh, she's one of those ...) But it was a pretty clear telling and I'm obedient. So I write. I don't know, really, how to build followers, or how to reach more people. I would love this to be my job - to be able to work from home and earn the kind of income we need for me to earn - It would be my choice for an answer to prayer. But that part is in God's hands. In the meantime, I write.
About whatever is on my mind in the early, early morning before my family is up, before my day actually begins, before the responsibility starts. I have one tiny-huge rule for myself. I want to write about joy - in some way, about finding joy. That's my title. That's my mission. And it isn't always easy because I don't always see joy around me.
Sometimes I just see hurt. Sometimes I see senseless violence. Sometimes I see struggle and tension, weariness. And sorrow stalks the edges of my search. Sorrow for the world - because I'm a big picture person and sometimes I just cry.
So I have to look. I have to search for the joy. And sometimes, the best joy comes after the saddest and hardest times - so I have to go there. To those difficult things. To the sadness. To the violence. And sometimes, I just can't - so I put on my Pollyanna blinders and put my mind on God - and Jesus. Our Creator and our Redeemer. And I find joy. And I find truth.
....and STOP
Linking with:
Five Minute Friday
Janet,
ReplyDeleteI have started a joy journey this week. I agree with you that it's a choice of perception. Let the Polyanna's unite!!
Hi Barb - I LIKE that - Pollyanna's Unite! I might have to try to use it... Perception and attitude, I think, are related to how we choose to spin events around us - but I keep going back to Jesus's words "My joy is in you..." Sometimes that's all it takes. Thanks for stopping by and blessings on your joy journey this week.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Dear Janet
ReplyDeleteIt is so true for our Pappa promised us that He is close to the brokenhearted and the suffering. What never cease to amaze me is how we can still experience His peace and joy no matter our outer circumstances.
Blessings XX
Mia
Dear Mia,
DeleteTruth. Me too. No matter what. And with His amazing presence and help, we can still share His peace and joy - especially to the brokenhearted and suffering, because it doesn't look like happy-happy, it looks like Him. It's good to see you; I treasure your thoughts.
Janet
I've contemplated much on joy the last couple of years and I find no easy answers. I, too search for joy, just that abiding joy in all circumstances. And maybe that's part of the secret~the continual leaning onto my Father, because I know I can't and won't find it on my own.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I think you've got it - abiding joy comes from learning to continually lean on Him. Yup. That's a good truth. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteJanet
Keep on writing. Keep sharing what is on your mind. Keep finding joy. I find joy whenever I come here so I'm grateful God had called you to write and for your obedience to write.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Beth
Thank you, Beth - Your words mean a lot, more than you probably know. Hugs.
DeleteJanet
I can so relate to not having a clue as a blogger, but like you....I write. It feels right, and as you said, the rest is up to God. I love your thoughts here, the look of your blog, and the Scriptures I see at a glance. I will be back to further explore. Nice to bump into you via FMF.
ReplyDeleteLisa, Thanks for your encouraging words and visit. It helps to hear what others think- about more than the posts themselves. I hopped over to your blog, too - It looks like fun! Congratulations on your one-year blogiversary! It looks like you know what you're doing - I'm definitely thinking Wordpress offers more options than blogger... I hope you have a great week! Janet
ReplyDelete