Saturday confession time. I’m a Five Minute Friday backslider, often falling out of my Friday writing routine and into a Saturday session. But, through the grace of God and the indulgence of my fellow Five Minute Friday contributors, I know I’m forgiven! Heck, they sort of get used to finding me here in this time slot.

Under Kate Motaung’s direction, hundreds of bloggers rally around a themed word and, well, write for five minutes. No rules. No backtracks. Nothing profound. Not perfect. Just five minutes of writing, letting the Spirit move you … on Friday … Saturday … or sometimes beyond. Then we link at on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com, read the remarkable stories from other writers in the group and encourage them.

I’ve been using testimonials about the group and the exercise from other members as collected in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Flat. This week’s it’s by Melinda. I hope she inspires you to give this writing activity a shot. I hope at least her words inspire you to at least give this writing workout a look.

“Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Friends you haven’t met yet?’ That’s what FMF is. A group of friends who get together all over the Internet to write and encourag2e each other. We pray for each other, we talk and laugh, all through social media, a platform that wassn’t so readily available 15 years ago. FMF means friends who write and who are faithful.”

Our word this week is PRAISE. Let’s start the timer and GO…

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Each night, I join my family {most of them, most of the time} by sharing blessings of the day on Facebook. The point is to stop at some point during the day for just a second and take in the greatness of God … an ah-ha moment or just routine events that put thing in perspective. That’s how I approached today’s prompt. Here are my most recent “blessings”.

Praise the Lord

An evening out with friends at the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church Bean Supper. Old fashioned camaraderie and a good meal. What a blessing.

Praise the Lord

On the way to our walk we saw a couple of deer on the side of the road. While on our walk we came across a gopher (?) hole along the riverbank. Angelina stuck head down the hole. It got me thinking about the intricacies of nature. Deer in the woods … gophers underground … all comfortably co-habitating. Wouldn’t it be nice if we did the same?

Praise the Lord

I taught my first writing class, Take the Fear Out of Writing. Met some great folks. We’re going to have some fun over the next five weeks.

Praise the Lord

Spotted full blooms on the Christmas cactus this morning. Right on time [okay, maybe a few weeks early, but enjoyable nonetheless.]

Praise the Lord

The rising sun glistening off the western trees was s-p-e-c-t-a-c-u-l-a-r! I didn’t see it but there was a morning rainbow viewable from the apartments as well. God has blessed Maine.

Praise the Lord

Blessed to have a good groomer for Angelina. She almost looks like a — dog again!

Praise the Lord

I was tuned into animals and birds today. It started with a mini-herd of deer this morning — I counted seven heading toward the river. On our walk, … STOP

… I noticed ducks in the river. Throughout the day squirrels darted here and there. While visiting with a friend and neighbor I spotted an eagle over the river and I was riveted to the roof of the Masonic hall where a cadre of pigeons surveyed the landscape. Our furry and feathered friends brought some entertainment, majesty and beauty to a gray day in Maine. Thank you Lord.

Praise the Lord

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Don’t depend on other people to validate you.