Welcome to our weekly Five Minute Friday link-up!

This month we’re doing a special annual challenge called 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes.

Have you checked out the participants’ websites yet? Find some great posts here.

This week’s FMF writing prompt is: PRAISE

If you’re new to Five Minute Friday, you can find link-up instructions here.

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I heard this quote in a sermon recently: “If you were ever put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” 

Challenging, isn’t it?

Back in 2003 I attended a wedding in Cape Town and sat next to a woman who has since become a dear friend. During our conversation, I couldn’t help but notice how often she referenced the Lord—His grace, His goodness, His will, His kindness. 

In the midst of a regular chat, she would say things like, “Lord willing, we plan to go to this place next year,” and “In the Lord’s kindness, we were able to get this thing accomplished,” or “The Lord was so gracious to allow us to do this thing.”

I remember being so struck by the frequency of her mention of the Lord, and she did it in such a natural, seamless, unthreatening way. It was like she couldn’t help herself. She inspired me to such a degree that I decided to try it myself. 

At first, it felt awkward to incorporate the Lord into my daily conversation. It felt out of place, like I was trying to be something I wasn’t or fit in something that wasn’t there. But the more I practiced, the more I got used to it — and the more I realized deep down that it really is the Lord’s doing that everything happens as it does. 

Several places in Scripture tell us to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name” (1 Chr. 16:29, Ps. 29:2, 96:8). 

But what does this look like in practice? What would it look like to give God credit where it’s due? 

Maybe it’s as simple as shifting our language ever so slightly.

Instead of saying, “I am so glad it’s raining!” We can say, “Praise God for sending this rain!” 

Instead of, “What a beautiful day!” We can say, “Look at this beautiful day that God has given us!” 

Instead of, “I’m feeling much better after being sick,” we can say, “I wasn’t feeling great last week, but the Lord sustained me and answered my prayer to get better.” 

May He enable us to see His hand in all things and give Him the glory. 

STOP.

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Which resources on this list catch your eye? 

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Affiliate links have been used in this post. Thanks in advance for your support! 

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Join the link-up with your own five minute free write by clicking the blue “Add Your Link” button below! Then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment.

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