Welcome to the weekly Five Minute Friday blog link-up!
We’re an online writing community that writes fast and furiously for five minutes flat on a one-word prompt.
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This week’s prompt is: TURN
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Ready? Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.
I had the incredible privilege of attending the Festival of Faith and Writing this past weekend. If you’ve never been, imagine three solid days jam packed with writerly talks, presentations, conversations, and panels.
It will be weeks, if not months, before I process even a fraction of what I heard at the conference.
I intentionally chose to attend a few panel discussions on the topic of writing about race, and I’m pretty sure I left with more questions than answers.
I’m so grateful for the brave and wise individuals who gave of their time, experience, and insights to share with the various audience members in attendance.
One key point that kept ringing true was the need to listen. No matter who we are or what color our skin is, no matter how big or small our platform may be, we will never go wrong by listening to others. By turning aside to our brothers and sisters and hearing what they have to say.
I’m hoping and praying for more opportunities to turn to my left and my right to learn and engage from those beside me on this journey. Praise God that we don’t have to go it alone.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking about the task that lies before us, but then this truth calms me right down:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
STOP.
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Amen! I’m learning this lesson, too. Listening to others and their perspectives with a open heart goes a long ways towards bridging the gaps between cultures.
Kate, it sounds like FFW was amazing for you! I look forward to reading as God reveals things to you. Listening. Yes. We can never go wrong when we stop and simply listen.
Have you heard of Katie Ganshert? She and her husband adopted a girl from Congo. You may find a kindred spirit in her.
I was SO CLOSE to attending, and didn’t due to weather! I am so jealous you went, and so glad! I am going in 2020, no matter what! It sounds truly amazing…
Kate, turn is such a great word. And, of course we both quoted/sang the same old hymn. xoxo
So great to meet you and THANK YOU for leading our circle!
Kate, I appreciate your reminder to us to turn and listen to those around us. Deep listening is a godly gift we can give others; in return we learn so much we wouldn’t have if we hadn’t turned our ears to hear.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Kate, thanks so much,
but something things different this week, are we posting differently?
there aren’t any like or comment buttons, unless I’m missing something.
While you all were at that conference, I was at a church conference. (District Assembly; all the churches in a certain geographic area send delegates to do business). For two-and-a-half days we talked about the need to listen and how to learn from those who are different. Though thousands of miles separated us, the message was the same. Makes me think that the Lord is definitely stirring something. 🙂