Today I join this writing community for Five Minute Friday with the prompt, Ordinary. Writing briefly from the overflow of the heart.
Just five minutes of writing. No editing, no over-thinking, no back tracking. This challenges me to walk in freedom. I challenge you to do the same. Cozy up in your own place and write for just five minutes. In your journal, on a napkin, at your laptop right in front of you now. Just. Write
We sat there, in the morning sun at the picnic table with our bibles laid out. I still wipe tears with crumpled Kleenex over what I just heard about Ruth, the third chapter. Share with these friends how God speaks to me, right there in a room full of women.
And then I say it, how as a clergy wife in transition I feel like I am stuck in the in- between of life, not quite fitting in. Feel so ordinary. They smile in the pause and the words spill out, about how they feel the same. The way we all see ourselves standing on the outside of life looking in like Ruth, the Moabite finding her place in a new culture.
This honesty, how we all feel lonely, want more time with friends, find ourselves stuck in the ordinary looking at everyone else and sure we must be missing out on something more beautiful. It frees.
He reaches His extraordinary hand and pulls back the curtain of self-doubt, and shows his deep love in the midst of the everyday. That what we perceive as ordinary is really common grace.
This being understood, it’s warmth to the soul. Like he just put a blanket around my shoulders and said, “see, you aren’t really ordinary after all, because your mine and my love for you is anything but ordinary.”
Does your life feel ordinary?
yes I think our definition of ordinary is a little messed up.
I think we actually have the ability to not be ordinary… but are told that is a safe place for the average human to be.
T
Enjoyed your thoughts on ordinary as well. Sometimes the ordinary does lead to complacency and lack of vision. His view is always extraordinary. Thanks for visiting!
My favorite C.S. Lewis quote: “Friendship happens at the moment when one person says to another: “What? You too? I thought I was the only one!”
I’ve felt that way, too.
Love that quote! I am a big Lewis fan. Nice to know I am in good comany. Thanks for visiting!
Such rich words of truth - love your blog! Ordinary is a place/time for me to pause, reflect, and refocus to see the value of the “little blessings” that surround me.
Thanks Karen! I left a comment over at your place.
lovely Shelly, so true. I’ve just started “One Thousand Gifts”, your gift to me. So far, I’ve re-read the opening chapter several times in reflection. You were right - it is a book to savor! thanks, and keep writing. much love, Helen
Glad you like it Helen, I am re-reading it slowly. So good to hear from you. Think of you often and hope you are settling in. You are missed in Pawleys. Thanks for your encouragement!
Sometimes my ordinariness feels like a sanctuary.
Love that Sheila! Thanks for visiting.
We are discussing the same thing in our SET group. There are those of us who are empty nesters, those that have lost spouses, and those that God hasn’t presented that special someone to them and they delve into work to fill in the space (same as those of us who are empty nesters.) I’m such a bill board person but God does speak in a whisper. I pray that I will become a better listener with both my eyes and my ears. Thanks for the inspiration. It was great seeing you at the shower, also!
Andria, so nice to hear from you here. And yes, it was nice to re-connect at the shower. Seems like there may be some sacred echoes among us about what He is saying. Thanks for leaving a comment. Really!