Here’s this week’s installment of Five Minute Friday.
You might remember the task is to write for five minutes on a specific prompt word. The initiative was started by Lisa-Jo Baker who thought about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. She figured, why not take five minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing. She turned over the reins to Kate Motaung, where our faithful writers write, and share it with others at her place on Facebook at fiveminutefriday.com beginning with the Community section. It’s free. It’s easy (okay, not always). It’s addictive (in a good way). You should visit and check it out or — better yet — join in the fun of expressing yourself!
As an extra enticement, 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 compiled by Susan Shipe. This week’s it’s Tara. I encourage you to listen to the words and visit Kate and her wonderful corps of writers … and maybe be inspired to join in!
“The FMF community has blessed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. These women and men remind me that I have a voice that needs to be heard. I hold this community deep in the depths of my heart.”
This week’s prompt is AHEAD. The timer is set … so here goes. {clock starts now}
Two divergent thoughts crossed my mind with this prompt.
The first meme/saying was simply, “Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” But just as quickly, the meme/saying “If you want to make God laugh tell Him about your plans.”
Those of you who know me — really know me –realize I’m more in the latter phrase camp. I’ve been around long enough to know plans can change in an instant — a late meeting, a sniffle, a flat tire, whatever. Just ask my wife {oops, sorry, can’t do that} or kids. They had to suffer through missing daddy and late dinners and changes to plans over the years.
That being said, my lack of planning skills doesn’t mean I’m not prepared. I often tack on Option B or Option C — heck, I have 26 letters to choose from. A twist in the plans doesn’t spell disaster — if offers an opportunity to experience other … STOP
… opportunities, to savor other moments, to see the hand of God in my plans, to witness the extraordinary in the ordinary.
I have no idea what’s ahead personally, professionally or even nationally. But I am sure ready to walk the trail with open eyes, open ears, and an open heart. It reminds me of another meme/phrase — “God is in control.”
Well, that’s what popped into this mind this tough week.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. — James Barrie
The Light 
I like and often think of both those quotes – for me, I, too, often have a long list of options given if/then/else analysis as best I can – the bigger the event or project, the more unknowns, the closer any deadline looms and/or events unfold, for me, I like to ‘plan what ark I’m going to work on building’ but be open to sitting in the rain for a moment to listen to the drops as they fall on leaves, or visit with a friend who happened to ‘drop by’ or take a call from one I haven’t heard from in a while – If plans are ‘laid’ and thought out, ahead of time, best as can be made/known, then at a certain point, all bets are off, and all involved are rather into the ‘It is What It IS!’ mode – I will share one time that made me laugh – I was on a ‘volunteer committee’ that had held/advertised monthly meetings, and had done outreach for gaining input for assisting with the planning of a big community event – – after months of work, meetings, etc., wouldn’t ya know? The 1-3 days before, folks came out of the woodwork saying, “Why don’t you do this? or that? or it would be great to have ‘such and such’ offering – and for all of them, I said, “That’s a great idea! This year, not enough time to get it put together, why don’t you join us next month as we assess this year’s event and start planning next years?” – None of them ever showed up – thus, I feel rather an affinity with Noah – 🙂
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God is in control. Still.
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Yes, though (heretical as it may sound/be) I tend to view such things as “The Rules were set up, placed in motion and well – – do what you feel – you are gifted the grace of free will, but if you violate the Rules, do not be surprised about what shows up to ‘nudge you back on course’ – 🙂
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You heretic! LOL
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Yes, sometimes I’m seen/called as such – but the pitchfork and torch mob has yet to burn me out of my home, thus, I continue in my ‘questioning’ ways…. 😀
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Thanks, I’m a planner. I like to know what’s coming, but life isn’t always like that, particularly at the moment. But God is in control anyway, we’d better believe it!
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Amen. Have a blessed weekend.
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I think planning has to do with what we know/see, and faith has to do with trusting God with what we don’t. I think James 4 models the balance best: we are to make plans but allow God’s will to dictate what actually happens.
Amie, FMF #20
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Good point. Have a blessed weekend.
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Gre
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But I am sure ready to walk the trail with open eyes, open ears, and an open heart…your words here are so poignant. I love the part too of God laughing at the plans we make. So good for me to hear as I’m the planner, and I want everything to turn out smoothly. When actually things may or may not. Morning cheers, Jennifer FMF
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Amen, Lovely share. God is king of the universe and always in control. Blessings.
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Amen! Have a blessed weekend.
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I too have that James Barrie quote in my quote journal. The gift of memory is a precious one, and I enjoy at least several “roses” each day. (I’m at the age when everything reminds me of something from the past!) Even a year like 2020–offering more thorns than roses, perhaps–will still provide a few blossoms to enjoy, IF we stay alert to notice them.
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I hear you! My December bouquet is stunning! Have a blessed week.
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I generally have a Plan B too. And maybe a C and D : ) When I look back at failed plans I’m often grateful for the way they didn’t work out. Thanks for sharing. I’m visiting from the FMF site today.
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Isn’t it amazing. Hindsight is always 20/20 and remarkable finds to the puzzle. Have a blessed week!
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