I heard about another senseless act of violence again today.  Marines and a police officer, from what I understand, were gunned down in Tennessee.  I’m not sure of any other details as I refused to watch the news, and I didn’t click on the news story when it came up in my news feed on Facebook.

Yesterday, I did watch the news, and I learned of a shooting in the small town of Holly Hill in South Carolina.  This is way too close to home for me.  Five people were gunned down in their home.  Two adults – ages 50 and 28 – and three children were involved – ages 17, 12, and 8, I believe.  Two of the three children died at the scene along with the two adults.  The third child – age 8 years old – was airlifted to a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, where he remains in critical condition.  The last I heard on this case, the suspect was still at large, and they did not have a motive in this shooting.

My heart was overcome with sadness upon hearing this not even a month after nine were gunned down in their church!

Oh my heart aches for this world and what is happening in this day and age.  From fights regarding a flag, a piece of fabric that others were so offended by that waved over the state house and on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, right on to racial organizations — on both sides — rallying at the state house this coming weekend, to innocent lives being lost once again.

Lord, we need you!  We need you now more than ever.

Why can’t we live in a world without violence, without the need for gun control.  I wish God would reach down His mighty hand and save us from ourselves and our fellow man that has hate in their hearts.  And if only … if only we could reach a point to where one day there would not be any more racial discussions, rallies, or fights needing to be resolved.  If we could do away with the racial tension and accept each other with open arms and love – red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.  So should they be with all of us as well!   Each and every life is precious – no matter the color of our skins!  We are all beautiful creations from God above.

It is my desire that peace, love, and harmony would prevail.  It sounds so simple, for us to all just get along, and yet, it’s just out of our grasp when people are so set against something — and often times, each other — with no compromise in sight.

Love your neighbor as yourself.  Why is that so hard to do?  When will we be free of prejudice, racism, hate, murders, and fear of what is to come?

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of: Free.

Excitement welled up inside of me when I learned that the Five Minute Friday writers are having a retreat!  Yes, that’s right!  When we usually gather together on Fridays where we write for five whole minutes without worrying about getting it just right, NOW we will have the opportunity to meet in person!

The Five Minute Friday community has grown so much, and it is an exciting time as we think of finally meeting up!  Taking it from the internet, from our blogs, from our Twitter parties, Facebook, and now live and in person!  Wow!

I know I’m not the only one that is checking their schedules, looking at the location and seeing just how far it really is from where they live.  Wondering if this is really happening and something that is do-able.

The location, we’ve learned, is just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.  The weekend is August 7-9, 2015 with more details to come from Kate.  It would be amazing to gather all of the Five Minute Friday writers together for one weekend!  I imagine there will be lots of laughter that weekend as well as writing since that is something we all love to do.

Imagine the possibilities of getting all of the writers together.  As we gather together, we could share ideas and bounce things off of each other.

With one daughter going into Fifth grade and the other into college in August, I’m not completely sure at this point that I can attend.  But, I’ll certainly try!  AND I encourage you all to attend as well.  If you’ve ever written or been interested in Five Minute Fridays from when Lisa-Jo Baker hosted it and now since Kate has taken over, I encourage you to think of gathering with all of the writers.  You will not be disappointed!

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This post was most definitely inspired by the prompt word of Gather for this edition of Five Minute Friday at Kate’s virtual house.

Welcome, Friends!  We’re so glad you’re here.  Won’t you grab a steaming hot cup of coffee and sit a spell on the overstuffed couch?   Just move those pillows out of the way and make yourself comfortable.

Let’s talk into the wee morning hours as we laugh, share, and enjoy our visit together.  We can talk about serious issues that have you filled with anxiety and stress, or we can just throw our heads back laughing at the silliest of things.  It’s only important that we’re together bonding as friends do.

Looking for something a bit more adventurous for this visit?  Grab some tack, and let’s saddle up, partner.  Side by side, our horses will walk in unison as we chat and inhale all of the beauty that surrounds us in the middle of the forest.

Breathe in God’s goodness and let all of your problems go as you exhale.  It feels so good when we’re one with nature and God above!   We can ride together talking about the good ole days, or we can have our faithful companions carry us on their strong backs, occasionally grasping at stray grass or trees along the way, as we are silent, soaking in the sights and sounds around us, appreciating all that God has given us to feast our eyes upon.

Let’s make full use of the time we have together and not waste a single minute!

This post was inspired by the prompt word of VISIT for this edition of Five Minute Friday over at Kate’s virtual house.

It matters how you treat people!  Make them feel welcome!  Whether it’s in your home, at your church, if they are new to the school, or a new employee on the job.

There is a famous quote that talks about how people will forget what you say, and people will forget what you do; however, people will never forget the way you make them feel!

This is so very true.

I remember how it felt a few years back upon entering a huge church with a congregation full to capacity.  You’re already anxious about being out of your comfort zone, yet you forge ahead with sweaty palms, almost wringing your hands as you scan the room hoping for a friendly smile, a warm “Hello” … something, anything to show that you are being welcomed into the church.  If you don’t feel welcome, the chances of you returning are slim to none.

This was the first impression we had upon attending a church years ago.  Despite not feeling welcome at all, except by the preacher that went out of his way to greet us after the service, we continued going back week after week in hopes that we would finally fit in.   While that never happened, we stuck it out and even volunteered to be on a committee.  We became a part of the GROW team with emphasis on greeting people and making them feel welcome when they stepped foot into the church for the very first time.  What greater feeling could there be than to feel welcome into the family of God and to experience the love that Christians are supposed to have one for another?!

It matters how you treat people.

It matters how they feel when they are in your presence.

It matters when you make people feel welcome!

I’ll never forget the incredible welcome I received when meeting my internet friend of 17 years in September of 2014.  Debbie, who was fighting breast cancer at the time, welcomed us into her home.  I felt as giddy as a school girl as our vehicle came to a stop in front of Debbie’s house.  As quickly as I could, I gathered my gift bags and started making my way as calmly as possible to her front door.  She was anticipating our arrival, and when she opened the door, immediately the squeals of “Oh my gosh … oh my gosh”  were spoken through smiles a mile wide.  We had our arms outstretched before we were even close enough to embrace.  Now THAT was an incredible welcome!  One I truly will never forget.  Sadly, my friend lost her battle with cancer in November of 2014, just two short months after finally having the privilege of meeting her in person.

Thank you, dear Debbie, for the most amazing feeling in the entire world when you welcomed me into your home.  Years earlier we welcomed each other into our hearts, and although you’re no longer on this earth, you’re still in my heart.  I carry you with me, sweet lady.  Thank you for the gift of 17 beautiful years of the greatest friendship I’ve ever known.

Join us weekly for Five Minute Fridays over at Kate’s virtual house.

I see you there.  Sitting in the corner of the restaurant hoping that no one will notice you as you pretend to look through your phone while you avoid eye contact.  A true introvert, no doubt.  You’re not anti-social, you just choose to quietly observe the goings-on around you.  Soaking it all in, yet often times getting overwhelmed by the increased noise level as children become restless or coworkers laugh loudly at the next table.

Then there’s the ones that long to be the center of attention, often cracking jokes to make those around laugh wildly.  Not necessarily full of yourself, rather, you’re just an outgoing individual hoping this facade will hide the pain inside.

And like Kate’s post on writing and pouring your hearts out, all of my fellow bloggers sit wondering if they’re making a difference or reaching anyone out there.  There is a famous saying, “Build it and they will come,” but I say, “Write it and they will come …”  They will.  Rest assured.  They may not come in masses, but that is okay, too!  I feel down deep within my soul that if I reach one person – if only one person stumbles upon my site and finds the information that it contains beneficial – if it helps to turn one life, one heart, and one soul to God above – it is completely and totally worth it!  If I ever feel like no one cares what I have to say, I turn my focus on God and know that HE cares.  He’s watching, He’s reading, and He’s often times giving me the words that I write.  If I ever get down about the lack of comments on posts on my blog or on my Facebook page, I am comforted in the fact that I pour myself out to my readers in hopes that they will come, that they will take something that I’ve said with them to ponder throughout their day and that maybe, just maybe I’ve made a difference in their lives in some small way.  To me, it’s not about hundreds of comments, although I appreciate every single person that takes the time to post a comment, it’s important for me to get the words out in hopes to help someone out there that may need exactly what God has spoken to my heart to write on that particular day.  If I help one person, it will all be worth it!

This post was inspired by the prompt word of Notice for this edition of Five Minute Friday.