It’s writing prompt time!
Welcome to the weekly Five Minute Friday blog link-up, where we free write for five minutes flat on a one-word prompt every week.
Visit this page for instructions on how to join the link-up.
This week’s FMF writing prompt is: BUILD
Ready? GO.
One evening this past summer, my family and I decided to take a picnic to the beach.
Shortly after we spread our blanket on the sand, one of my kids yelled, “Mom, look!”
I looked up and saw them pointing at something further down the beach.
It was an enormous sandcastle, almost as tall as me.
I made sure I had my phone in my pocket so I could take a picture and walked down the beach with my kids to go take a closer look.
It was magnificent. The detail was incredible. I could only imagine how long it took to build.
We looked around and asked other bystanders if they knew who built it.
“No, we just got here. We have no idea.”
There was no name, sign, or signature in the sand. No indication at all as to who was the talented artist (or artists).
This amazing, anonymous work of art made me appreciate art for the sake of art . . . not for the sake of recognition.
The sand castle builders could have made sure that people knew exactly who they were . . . but they just created their masterpiece to the best of their ability, and left.
Without acknowledgment or recognition.
Is this how I approach my writing?
Do I write for the sake of creating something beautiful? Or am I looking for a byline or an acknowledgement of a job well done?
STOP.
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Chapter 1 :: Tension :: Interview with Shannon Popkin
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Join the link-up with your own five minute free write below, then be sure to visit your link-up neighbor to leave an encouraging comment!
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So much I tried to build
is ruined and o’erthrown
the dreams surround it, killed,
reverting to bare bone.
For a life I tried to fashion,
one you might admire,
I could not keep the passion
alive in cancer’s fire.
But standing in the wrack
of all I had and was,
I find a straightened back
surprising, giving pause.
In the end I failed the test
but in failing, gave my best.
When I started out working, a woman in a man’s profession, I worked harder (I thought) and longer hours than my coworkers because I wanted to be notice. I wanted a promotion. I was a single mom and needed better pay. When I write, sure, I want to be read, build a list of followers, tribe, likes and all the rest. Mostly, I want to be accurate when using scripture (and pucntuation), to be kind, to be me. Now, I need to obedient in what I believe God is telling me to do in this new season.
I like where you took BUILD. Good, pondering question at the end. Do I?
Kate, this is a good word. Really good word. Thank you!
Build – to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite (made up of distinct parts or elements) whole. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
I’m building my son. I have been for 21 years. It’s been my life’s calling and most exquisite privilege. He is his own very wonderful and unique person, but my influence, my materials, my glue, my artistry runs through his veins and out of his mouth and actions. I am God’s instrument for this boy turned man. My goodness, he is beautiful! How arrogant of me to say. The truth? His beauty comes more from what he has torn down and built up through his relationship with Jesus than any parenting brick I laid. Now my son is building me. The construction isn’t finished, but I don’t have to worry anymore.
Build:The foundation I am building in my spiritual home with my husband and adult sons.I fill with people I truly love. My home is build with a very warm feeling as I know you feel your love and accepted in my home. I love to build my home up with my husband and son’s through God’s love as me and my and my house serve the Lord in each of our own way. so we each encourage each of us through encourage word,we try to do this when we are feeling down on are life that day. We encourage people up outside of our home. The Lord build me up and one of my gifts to encourage my family and others.