Five Minute Friday: Listen

Starting on Monday the 24th, I’m hosting a brand spankin’ new link-up called Chasing History.

And y’all, I’m so excited!

All the info will be up on this here blog on Monday (the 17th) but here’s a little blurb about it:

The Bible is old and written by many, but often I’ll be reading and each word jumps off the page and seems relevant to my life – written just for me. You too?

Being a girl, I especially love reading of girls in the Bible and the way God used them, their stories, and their lives to bring us Hope.

I think these women from such a long time ago are actually a ton like us. So, join me and pick one of your favorite women in the Bible and write about her. Do a little research, read the chapter(s) over again. Dig in deep or span out wide. Just learn.

And then come back and tell us all about her – and you. Share how God is using a woman’s story from long ago to challenge you, teach you, or encourage you. We’ll chase history together.

Here’s the deal. Five Minute Friday. You go find the little prompt at the wonderful Lisa-Jo’s blog, set the time and write for five minutes, and then just stop. Where you are, no edits, just publish raw words.

START

LISTEN…

I’ve spent much of my day caught up in the Bible. I don’t say that to sound religious – because on nine out of ten days, this isn’t the case. Verses here or there, yes. Listening to podcasts? I can’t fall asleep at night without them. :)

But today I’ve just soaked in the word, like getting in a bathtub full of bubbles and just sitting – and enjoying.

I’ve been reading the stories of women, and every time I’m caught in a wave of – Wow. Just wow, I so feel that exact way some times.

You, who lived over 2,000 years ago – you get me!

And then I realize I’m talking to myself. *it happens*

The point is, I’m digging in a little deeper, preparing for this new link-up. I’m reading the stories I’ve grown up hearing about and memorizing…and I’m just pausing to listen.

Real deep, real long, real hard.

Like you and me, these women who lived long ago have a story to tell.

There are days when I’m barely hanging on, there are days when I want to run outside and shout to the heavens that life isn’t fair because it isn’t going how I planned.

I’m not saying that makes any sense at all, but I am saying that ugly fact is true about me.

It’s so funny though, because there are other days when I want to dance and jump for joy and shout to the heavens that God? You are so crazy awesome.

He’s using these stories of old to teach me stories about me and the great plans He has for my Story: redemption and healing, sacrifice and love, patience and faithfulness.

With each one comes a challenge, but with each I’m reminded of the Great Listener.

I don’t know how it happens, but each week it seems the prompt goes perfectly with whatever has happened in my life on that particular day, and whatever is coming up in the coming week.

Oh, how He listens to the me deep inside.

I don’t have many words to share – nothing inspiring, deep, or big time encouraging. But this fact has been enough to carry me through some dark days, and it’s been enough to sing about on the very good:

He doesn’t just hear, He listens. So I can hang on.

STOP