The Five Minute Friday assignment is to write for five minutes on a prompt word, post it and share with fellow Five Minute friends at Kate’s place on Facebook at fiveminutefriday.com. Around 100 of us gather round to encourage and support our fellow Christian writers, writing in a variety of styles and genres. It’s always very interesting to see how a simple word take shape into posts. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes not as much and always entertaining. Be sure to stop in and read the diversity of thought at Kate’s place. And don’t be afraid to join in!
I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from Annette, who I hope inspires you to check us out or, better yet, encourage you to try your hand at focused, unscripted writing for just five minutes. And share it on Kate’s website.
“What does FMF mean to me?
“The fun of seeing how others react to the same word. Some weeks it seems like EVERYONE has the same thoughts, and other weeks the thoughts are as varied as the people in the world. It’s always a surprise, The encouragement that people offer is much appreciated. It’s good to meet new people and be exposed to different thoughts, all while having a quick write. Some words take pondering over to see how they resonate and some words simply don’t. It’s great not to be tied down and have the freedom to come and go as desired.”
The word this week is LISTEN. The clock is started, so let’s GO …
I started the assignment and scribbled a few words … sounded familiar (wisdomfromafather.com/2016/09/17/five-minute-friday-listen-2/). I switched my train of thought … still sounded familiar (wisdomfromafather.com/2013/06/14/five-minute-friday-listen/). Hmm. I might not listen well, but I generally remember.
So, where am I going to go with this prompt?
Maybe I should combine the two. Despite general thought by my family, especially my late wife, I DO listen. I may not react, but I am listening. I filter the words into key words and compartmentalize them for recall when I actually need them.
That being said, there is a time when you have to block off the world — the background noise, the clatter, the rush — and just be still.
Yeah, we’re told that in Psalm 46:10. Even taking the theology out of it, there is a time to just sit back and listen … to the silence. It’s there where God and nature talk to us, perhaps inaudibly but most profoundly.
I particularly like to sit at the ocean’s edge, close my eyes, and just listen to the lapping — or roaring — waves, the gulls singing a distinctive song, the wind … STOP
… whistling in my ear. That’s where I truly can Be still and know that I am God.
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER: A blind person asked St. Anthony, “Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?” He replied, “Yes, losing your vision!”
The Light 
I too like to listen to the sounds of the wind and the waves
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The ocean is my quiet place.
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I don’t hold with quiet times;
frankly, son, they’re quite the bore
and so I live out my crimes
to a heavy metal score.
Throttle to the firewall,
safety valves are welded shut,
we are gonna have a ball
just so long’s you got the guts.
Let us see how many revolutions
this old frame can really take,
accepting no weak-kneed solutions
and running it until it breaks.
When I stand before God’s judgement seat
I’ll have AC/DC on repeat.
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You’re such a rebel!
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Rebel without a clue.
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Great post!
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Thank you
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I think part of listening is the ability to be still . Whether it’s out in the stillness of nature, or being still listening to a lad chat about whatever is on him mind.
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Listening is all about focusing your attention. Thanks for the insight.
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Nice! We wrote in a similar vein. I’ve only been writing with FMF for 3 Fridays, but I love this place. Thank you for sharing.
Only Because of Him,
Sarah
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Glad you’re here! Glad it’s been a good experience. Great, loving, open group for care, share and prayer.
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By remaining busy during our lives, we can miss out on the simple things of life. When I go outside at night, and I look up at the moon and the twinkling stars, and perhaps seeing a shooting star in the night, I’m not thinking about whether this is part of the creation of God, or the universe is a product of evolution. I just enjoy the view. Perhaps going to the beach at night, and seeing the waves lapping gently on the shore, the sea breeze wafting gently through the palm trees and the sea grape trees. This is the sight and sound of nature.
Sharing quiet moments with my cat Katherine. She is a Korat cat, and this breed originally came from the Korat region of Thailand. She is very curious and inquisitive, and she gets into everything. But she is also very affectionate. She loves to be petted and caressed.
The simple and quiet times of life bring us joy and happiness.
Bruce
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Yes they do. Balance my friend.
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