Sometimes the prompt easily triggers the mind. Other times, it’s more of a struggle. That was this week. In fact, I even considered playing hooky.

I don’t have to tell you the drill — I’ve done that many times over — but there is something different. The link is on Facebook at fiveminutefriday.com. Just start in the Community section. I hope to see some of you there.

If you’ve followed this blog at all, you know how much value FMF has for me. I’ve asked you to join in [you really, really should]. It’s quick. It’s easy {okay, sometimes not always}. It’s challenging. And it’s oh so rewarding. But don’t take my word for it. Here is what an anonymous writer had to say, taken from snippets in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat compiled by Susan Shipe. Don’t listen to me. Listen to her.

“I found my people. Writers. Moms. Singles. We are a choir of words. Sometimes silly. Sometimes profound. Sometimes not making any sense at all. But, our voices rise on this worldwide web and our music is beautiful.”

The timer is set. The prompt is ENDURE. It’s time to GO…

I’ve been studying the crucifixion story as told by Matthew as my quiet time. It doesn’t matter which gospel writer you follow, the depravity of the situation and all that the Lord endured is gruesome and disgusting.

The flogging to the point of exhaustion — before the actual crucifixion. The derision Our Lord had to endure. The spiritual separation from His Father as He took on His humanity and paid the ultimate price for you and me.

I know a couple of friends who are enduring unthinkable human pain as they battle various maladies. The fluids, the tumors, the degradation of their lives. I’ve seen it with other saints here on earth as they endured health battles with grace and humility and pray I can do the same.

And then there are … STOP

… us. We’ve endured a half year of almost non-stop upheaval in our lives — the virus, the unabated killings, the protests. They have disrupted our norm. There are times the isolation and separation have been unbearable, the masking of America has been demoralizing and somewhat dehumanizing, the images of upheaval leading to rioting and looting and perpetuating stereotypes has been unnerving. Even mundane tasks, like changing addresses, evolve into an hour-plus endurance marathon.

Yet, when we look back at the first half of 2020 in the rear view mirror, we will recognize we didn’t endure anything but inconveniences. Read the gospels. Look around at family and friends going through physical, mental, or spiritual pain with grace. That’s real endurance.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Small changes can make a huge difference.