Choose to be Willing

Want to join Lisa Jo. Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

Now to lead into this week's topic you really should visit Lisa Jo's site and see the driving force behind this week's topic.... the story begins with her! today's word:  willing

Go!

It wasnt until I retired  that I fully began to  understand  the   full meaning of the word...  Up until that time,   life was so harried as  an elementary teacher,   mother, homemaker,    that  everything  seemed assigned,..  I was  in my  "have to get it done" mode....  with very little  determination to just strike out and volunteer or  take on anything  with "Here I am, Choose me attitude"

...

 Then  all of a sudden    the  drama of the empty nest, the  quiet, long hours    opened up that  willing...ness in me to  devote my  time into  worthwhile endeavors....   but more than  that,  I  learned a very   beneficial  lesson   that  has  edified me, spirit and soul....  that of   just  saying yes,  whenever a  need arose  in  the church...I  learned how to  lean on  God more   by getting out of my comfort zone and  just pouring  out my life  for  the cause of  Christ... 

It was  then that  the well-spring of growth   in  my faith,    confidence in God's   help,  and  renewed vigor  took    wing  within me....   days  seemed   to soar   from one  adventure to another,    life  had   renewed purpose and  the labels   which had previously defined me  were replaced with  a true essence of   myself as  an individual.... I found  myself...  all because of  choosing to be willing!

Stop

  

Small

Five-Minute Fridays

Want to join Lisa Jo. Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

Now to lead into this week's topic you really should visit Lisa Jo's site and see the driving force behind this week's topic.... the story begins with her! today's word: SMALL!

Go:

source

The first thing I thought of when I thought "small" has more power and the most significant impact on my life... God's still, 'small" voice .. his Holy Spirit testifying to my spirit in so many ways.... The Truth of God,,, the Truth of His Word, the Truth of the gospel for my life, the Truth of my salvation,, the Truth of my position in God's kingdom and His love for me.It is almost like how is it possible that something that so completely life transforming , so unchangeable, so powerful, so undeniable that it could come to one is such a small way... a small voice that is so easily missed because of the cacophany of the world.. a voice that stands alone amid the myriad voices that flood the inner recesses of one's mind, yet once it is revealed for who it is, it contains all the peace, love, shelter, strength, power, healing that can drive the most stubborn hearer to their knees ... it is instilled with the power to affect revolutionary change , calm an angry beast, and shower the most ruptured heart with a soothing balm of comfort.... One tiny small voice.... small, yet huge... don't miss it.

Stop

Garden

Five-Minute Fridays

Want to join Lisa Jo. Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.
Now to lead into this   week's topic  you really   should visit Lisa Jo's    site and see the  driving   force behind  this week's topic....  the story begins  with her!

This week's topic...garden!

Start:

The  cold damp earth,   satisfied  by the  snow and rains,     patiently  waits for the sun's rejuvenating warmth to  energize and   bring it   to its  sustaining   moment   of  release....   that  life  sustaining   mix of  element plus  seed  that     bursts forth  in germinating power  and  new life is  birthed in the dark....  The  nutrient rich soil    nurtures the  seedling  as it  pushes its way to   break through  to  the surface and  absorbs it first  sense of   sunlight,       a living thing this     botanical  miracle  of science,,,, of   divine design...      a fresh new being  designed  for its own purpose under heaven.  Whether  propagated  by nature  or by man,  this   beautiful  species  grows to satisfy  man's   desires,   whether, for food or  for pleasure,   for nutrition or beauty....  whether 'tis planted   by the hand of  man in  spectacular array,  or  for   mans' own  sustenance,  or   by the hand of God  in  primal  space  no man has imagined...   we call  it  garden....  which means  "life giving paradise".

Stop

Just Write!

Five-Minute Fridays

Want to join Lisa Jo. Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

This week's topic...write!

I suppose that is the purpose of my blog..  writing has always been my  love....  when I taught third and fourth grades, oh, how I loved  writing class.. teaching all the elements of creative writing..  fairy tales,  stories,  essays, journal writing...  anything to  get them into  the daily use of words....  the play on words,  alliteration,  puns,  figurative speech.  I  loved to write along with the class  then  when we shared   our  compositions in class,   it was always so fun to  have the   children critic my writing... sometimes  I purposefully  erred  to  see them  enjoy  the corrections....  but always   instilling in   those precious minds   the purpose and  thrill of writing... for  assignments and pleasure...   when I retired  my children  encouraged  me to  find a way to  write everyday.  Hence,  the  creation of  Wings of Eagles..oh, to have the time these days   to write...   for   the time spent online for me  then was  dedicated  to   sharing  the  blessings and   gleanings of   the Lord's  work and presence in my life. In these hectic days,  I find  that life just doesnt  allow  for   the journaling hours of the past,   but  in each post I do  attempt to sprinkle  in the  wonders of God's love and  empowerment  of his Spirit.  These two  truths are so   prominent in my  spiritual   evidences  of  Him  on  a daily basis and  these  two   manifestations   are my heart's desire to share as   I am able  when I write.

Stop!

What an Awesome Visit

Let's join Lisa JO 's writing prompts  at  5 Minute Friday with Lisa Jo.

This week the  topic is visit.

Our last visit with out  wonderful  children  was  quite an adventure for us...a twelve hour train excursion  can be daunting enough, but add to that  blizzard conditions across three states, and   it makes for  a wallapalooza~

 Over the duration of the day spent  chugging along in    blowing snow, it couldnt help but blow in through every crack and crevice  in the   vestibules that connect the cars....

and   not only pile up on the   floor  inches deep but  gradually  drift into   higher and higher  drifts up the walls,  icing  shut the exit doors.
It actually, became  a  concern as we  approached our stop after  the 12 hour trip  about whether or not  any of the exit doors would open...  On every stop we were urged ' now, don't panic, we won't allow you to miss your stop.."  my dear husband added, "yes, even if we have to  exit through the emergency windows"...."Oh, my~"
and  after about an extra two hours we finally made it to our daughter's lovely home....

and, of course,  now you know  why  our visits  are so very special....

  

Our one and only granddaughter  is the light of our lives.  and grandpa  is thrilled to have her fall asleep in his  warm cosy arms!

 

What an awesome visit!

5 Minute Friday- Encouragement

Today is my first  effort  at  5 Minute Friday with Lisa Jo.

This week the  topic is encouragement.

After the  depleting  past month  of losing my father , then facing the holidays, I fully  understand the  true importance of encouragement.It is all God..   sharing His love with us through His children.Encouragement comes  through in  tangible ways...  a smile,  pat on the back,  cards, flowers,  phone calls,  visits...  and with each of these expressions I am sure that they were inspired by the love of the Father  for His hurting daughter,. But encouragement comes to us through our obedience, as well,  God will guide us individually to  find  His solace and peace  if we are only obedient with our minds, our time, and  allow Him to meet us in his Word,  or   a song, or an amazing sunset.  It is through his acts of kindness  during  deep  emotional strain that  I have learned, also, just how trustworthy God is.. how faithful... how perfect His timing is in His provision and His love...  He knows everything we  are going through, he knows  what we need  well before we need it and  is right there with  it  at the perfect moment  ...  Encouragement is the hand of God in our lives...  trust,  expect, claim and   receive  it!  Thank you, Lord!