It’s link-up time!
Welcome to the weekly writing prompt blog link-up here at Five Minute Friday.
We gather week after week to free write for five minutes flat on a one-word prompt.
Sound like fun? Learn more here.
I also announced this week that I will be offering another 31-day writing challenge in October for anyone who would like to participate. The official Write 31 Days writing challenge is no longer happening, but I’ll be hosting 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes beginning October 1st. There will be a $7 registration fee this year to help cover my out-of-pocket costs, and registration will begin soon.
Read my full announcement in our private FMF Facebook group here.
Make sure you’re on the mailing list so you don’t miss out on any updates!
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In this week’s edition I want to tell you about a new book called Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace by Xochitl Dixon. Sounds like a much-needed resource, doesn’t it? I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it looks wonderful:
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW ON AMAZON
Affiliate links have been used in this post.
I got to meet Xochi briefly at a Credo Communications author gathering last October, as we are both represented by the same agency (she’s third from the right in the picture below). She is delightful, and I wish we had more time together!
In honor of Xochi’s new book, this week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: PACE
Here we go . . .
My kids head back to school soon. I know many have already started. Just looking at the combination of schedules that await us has me drawing a deep breath. Will we keep up?
It’s been a lovely three months of summer break. Even though I’ve worked the entire summer, it’s been so nice to have a slightly slower pace, to not set an alarm some mornings, and to see my kids more often.
My 14-year-old daughter tends to be a bit like me in that she likes to be busy and occupied. When she looked at our calendar for the last two weeks of summer break and noticed that it’s emptier than usual, she said, “We need to fill it up!”
I immediately said, “No! In two weeks you’ll be back to school, then the next nine months are going to be so full you won’t even know what to do with yourself. I’m purposely giving us a some quiet before the rush begins.”
She rolled her eyes and walked away, and I can’t say she has appreciated the slower pace.
But I’m glad I stood my ground.
The older I get, the more I realize it’s important to be intentional about our time, to not say yes to everything, to leave margin for just being. It’s easier for me to say and think than it is for me to practice, but I’m hoping as the school year begins and sports get going again, that I’ll remember to pause and swim against the racing current of this stage of life.
STOP.
Join the link-up with your own five-minute free write below!
Pace. I never considered how much my pace mattered to me until an injury forced me to slow down, to be still, to struggle with activities I used to take for granted.
I never thought of myself as impatient, until God slowed my pace so severely. My healing journey changed my perspective on pacing, on the privilege of trusting God’s pace.
With the help of my service dog, Callie, I’m picking up my pace. But sometimes, being faster than I was yesterday doesn’t feel like a win.
When I hit that wall of discouragement, I remind myself to inhale the only truth I can count on no matter what God determines my current pace should be. The God-breathed words of Scripture wrap me in peace.
I can slow down, be still, and struggle with taking that next step with enduring hope in the Lord’s loving presence.
As He assures me of His faithfulness, He empowers me to trust His plan and His pace . . . because He is and always will be with me on the road He’s paved with sovereignty and unconditional love.
Oh, I’m so glad you came over to join the challenge this week, Xochi! Thank you for giving of your time and your story! Congratulations on the release of your book . . . May the Lord use it for His glory!
Yes, I’ve fallen far behind;
I cannot keep your pace.
Out of sight and out of mind,
and no longer in the race.
I’ve eaten dust that you left
hanging in the heavy air;
this is, perhaps, my last test
and maybe I don’t care.
That which has befallen me
is that which waits for you.
You may taste this victory
but can anything be true?
The slow ones you have long passed by
may be those attending as you die.
I think you are incredibly wise to slow things down before school begins. xo