Hello, friends. Welcome to the first Five Minute Friday writing link-up of 2021!
It still feels surreal to say that . . . 2021?! Really?
If you’re new, feel free to click here to learn more about the link-up and how it works.
And make sure to join the FMF email list so you don’t miss out on any updates or announcements . . . we have a lot of fun things planned for this year!
This week’s FMF writing prompt is: TIME
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.
Less than a month ago, those of us who gather on Twitter each week for the weekly #fmfparty Twitter party signed off as usual and headed for bed. We had no idea at the time that it would be FMF community member Joe Siccardi’s final time attending a Twitter party or taking part in the FMF link-up.
The following week Joe did not show up for the Twitter party. And he was always there. We later learned that he’d had a stroke the day before, and never recovered.
We have no idea how much time we have left.
Now we’ve turned the calendar to a new year, all of us eager to put 2020 behind us and move on. Six days in, and we see images and video clips of protestors breaching the U.S. Capitol building. Government officials and representatives cowering for fear of their lives. Some wondering if they would live to see another day.
We have no idea how much time we have left.
This evening my husband told me that a member of our church in Cape Town passed away suddenly of a brain hemmorhage, leaving behind his wife and three children. Just like that.
We have no idea how much time we have left.
As I look at the fresh, blank pages of a new calendar I’m tempted to fill it with all kinds of plans and goals. But the reality is, I have no idea what a day may bring forth. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
What will you do with the time you have left?
STOP.
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Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment:
I don’t now how much time is left,
the days or even hours
to link here in God’s warp and weft,
to laugh and smell the flowers,
but this, my friend, I promise you,
I’ll make the best of what is given,
and when at last the race is through
hope you’re glad that I was livin’.
I’ll pass on every smile I own,
and invert every frown
so that by good cheer I’m known,
like a happy manic clown
who takes his bow in centre ring,
and to the crowd will air-kiss fling.
I will definitely be glad. You have been a real inspiration and made a huge difference in my life.
Dad (Joe Siccardi) lived every day understanding fully the realities and finalities of time.
He so enjoyed the challenge and fellowship of the Five Minute Friday Community.
Though I am sure it will take some time, I look forward to continuing the relationship and look forward to experiencing first hand the joy he felt participating with all of you.
You ask a good question, Kate. We should live each day as if it were our last—and especially make sure we have no lingering relationship regrets.
Great reflection question Kate. As, part of my post this week. I would have to say for me at least. Is to keep in the moment, practice the pause, be still, quiet, and mindful. I don’t want to miss what Jesus has planned for me. I need to practice these things and listen for him daily. Blessings.
Lord, teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom
This writing prompt sparked a much longer writing session and possibly a short devotional, but I will abbreviate my thoughts a bit.
Time is one thing that marks us as human and separates us from the divine nature. While on earth, we mortals operate within the bounds of time: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. And according to the Genesis account of creation, God set day and night into motion and called it “good”. The flow of time was meant for our benefit. Time to work, to love, to create, to rest.
In God’s gracious care, each new morning and evening are an opportunity to seek the presence of God and God’s good purposes. Our faithful God, who is above the limits of time and yet chooses to also operate within the bounds of time, offers us new mercies every morning. (Lamentations 3:23) God’s steadfast love never ceases and will endure forever. (Psalm 118)
Ecclesiastes 3:23 relates, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” And through the course of time, God chooses all experiences to become beautiful. (Lam.3:11)
More importantly, God has offered us a greater gift, which is “set in the hearts of people” (Lam.3:11), that is, eternity.
With God, the impossible becomes possible. The eternal unites with the finite. Our timeless God enters into our time-bound lives. And we are never the same, because within us beats the heart of One who longs to bring beauty and eternity to all creation.
As we abide in this new reality, our time becomes God’s time. We do not know the time that God will give us here on earth, and it is not for us to know.
But, in the words of the wise Gandalf, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien)
I appreciate your poetic imagery and insights related to time. Thanks.
This post really spoke to my heart, Kate, as I too grapple with that question/thought.
With my time I will try to always let those I love, know; and that those who know me, see God’s love.
Time: This is a time for the body of Christ to Shine,chaos everywhere in this world,We need to stay in His presence, in the word because that’s the only way the lost will look to us for answer as we share Jesus since He alone is the answer to are questions. I am so thankful to God for His tender mercies and His boatload of the benefits DAILY. I am 56 years wise and happy. It is time for be to be learning about my emotions and how to make changes for th better outcome. God is so wise,thatis why He has trained people. God wants all His Children to be well,Spiritual,emotional,mentally, Physically and financial. It is time for me to be my own Cheerleader.
I’m already loving this community! Thanks for admitting me to the club!
I appreciate this reminder, Kate. For the life of me I can’t remember where I read it, but there was a Puritan who, toward the end of his life, began asking, “God, what do You have for me today?” We should be responsible in attending to our schedules and following through on commitments, but I’m trying to take these words to heart. What can I set aside or stop focusing on in order to be centered and settled and working with Christ in each day? May God grant us all wisdom.
Yes, we really don’t know how much time we’ve got left. The pandemic makes this reality ever more present.
I’m glad to be writing for FMF after a long hiatus. I’m a week late for this prompt, but had to write a post. Hopefully by the week after, I’ll be all caught up.
Thank you for this community, Kate.