Welcome to this week’s edition of the Five Minute Friday link-up! It’s hard to believe we’re nearly halfway through the month of July already.
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Click here to learn more about the link-up and how it works.
Thanks to FMF community member Kath Gardner at Glimpsing Glory for the great prompt suggestion!
This week’s FMF writing prompt is: CAPACITY
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.
It has taken me many years of adulthood to come to terms with this reality, but I’ve had to accept the fact that I just can’t do it all. As much as I might like to, it’s just not how I was made. I’m guessing you might be able to admit the same.
Over the years, I’ve had to acknowledge the fact that I have a limited capacity for tasks, demands, and responsibilities. The problem is, I usually want to make people happy and I usually don’t like saying no.
But inevitably, my propensity to say yes all the time leads to a terrible case of overcommitment, and the one who suffers most is me.
I recently signed my fourth traditional book contract (yay!), but that means I’m on a deadline. With a real publisher, not just a made-up deadline I created for myself.
In order to finish writing this book on time, I’ve realized I have to say no to certain things, including things I enjoy.
Some of you know I also edit books on the side as a freelancer (in addition to my day job). I’ve already had to turn down two editing requests that I know I would have enjoyed (and that would have helped our family financially). But I told myself I couldn’t say yes to any “extra” projects between now and my deadline so I can set aside time and mental energy to keep chugging away on this manuscript.
What about you? Do you struggle to set limits for yourself?
If you’re prone to overcommitting, I gently challenge you to consider the various areas in your life that take up your time and energy and consider whether any of them need to be let go of, even if just for a season.
None of us can do it all, friends — and what we can do, we can only do by the Lord’s grace and in His strength.
STOP.
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Join us with your own five-minute freewrite on the prompt, CAPACITY, below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment:
Kate, if this is too current-eventsy, please flush it. It’s meant to be about decency, and I hope that comes across.
I am no fan of Joe Biden,
nor with the policies he’s bleated,
but fersure I won’t be hidin’
my contempt for how he’s treated.
Every one of us gets old
and fragile,like chipped crockery,
but in the Bible we are told
that’s not a thing for mockery,
and we the young must mind our ‘tudes
even ‘gainst who we can’t stand
because it’s true, because it’s news
that God gives special helping hand
to those who lack capacity,
a shield ‘gainst our audacity.
Just over three minutes, and We The People need to do better, east and west, left and right.
So sweet. Love it!
My capacity is full of me. My pans, my fixes, my ways, my pain, my hurts, my grudges, my … my … my!!!! When MY gets in the way, the capacity for YOU does not exist. I know God is working on MY stuff so I have way more capacity to open to HIM and YOU. Releasing MY is hard. Sometimes, I confess, I just don’t want to! Like a stubborn two year old, I plant my feet and say, “NO!!!” I am thankful for YOUR capacity for ME. Please keep the door of your capacity open for ME. One day, one day…oh, that blessed one day, the door of my heart will turn its hinges on end. It will become the saloon door that allows in and out. The capacity for YOU and HIM possible. Thank you Lord that your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect in my weakness. Keep helping me release my ME capacity so I have room for HIM and YOU!
I needed this reminder this week. Thank you!!