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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Five Minute Fridays

Because

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Because of the love I have in my heart for you, I will hold on a little tighter.

The problems we have been facing lately seem to overwhelm us and break our hearts at the same time. The enemy would love nothing more than to destroy us. He has come to steal, kill, and destroy. We cannot allow him the satisfaction. Because our God is greater, I have faith that we can overcome any obstacle that we may face, as long as we do so together!

We have to be a united front, now more than ever before!

Forces of evil have come against us from all sides, but God is our shield and our protector. He is there ready to fight this battle with us and for us, if we only believe and call on Him!

Oh Lord … hear our cries …

Because you first loved us … because you gave your only son to die on the cross for us … we have been forgiven of our sins. There is no condemnation! Instead, there is unconditional love and eternal life!

Oh God …

We love because you first loved us!

Shield our marriage, protect our family, wrap us securely in your protective love. Drive out the forces of darkness that threaten us. Provide an army of angels to gather around us so the enemy cannot get close to us.

Because … our happily ever after is at stake.

This post was inspired by the prompt word of Because for this edition of Five Minute Friday. Join us for the #fmfparty on Twitter, and link up your post here.

Hold

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Hold me now. Wrap your loving arms around me, and just … hold me. Tight. Hold me … close.

Let me inhale the sweet scent of your skin as I lay my head on your chest. I can hear your heart beating … beating for me.

Do you remember days gone by when we would get swept up in each other and the only thing that mattered was you and I in that moment? Together.

The demands of life can be so overwhelming at times, yet shelter from the storms of life, and peace and comfort are still found in the depths of each other’s arms.

My heart skips a beat every time you rush to me, get down on one knee, and slide your strong arms around my waist as you embrace me with your love. I cradle your head as I run my fingers through your hair and hold you close to me.

Moments spent with you standing by the water’s edge, exchanging soft kisses as the rain began to sprinkle down from Heaven … We pause for a moment, my hand upon your chest, your arms still wrapped around me. There in your arms … I know I am home.

Date Nights1
This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of: Hold. Join us for the #fmfparty on twitter and link up your blog post here.

Whisper

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The day has drawn to a close with the sun setting and the moon hanging high in the sky watching our every move.  We’ve danced under that very moon tonight, laughing, twirling with our heads thrown back, and enjoying the moment.  As we made our way inside, you, yawning and stretching, and me following right behind, you crawl into bed awaiting me to come shortly thereafter to tuck you in.  Snug as a bug in a rug.  My little lady bug.

I stroke your hair and kiss your cheek softly as I whisper, “I love you,” in your ear.  Those three small words … who knew they could have such feelings and emotions behind them … but a mother knows.  From the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I was in love … every fiber of my being was so in love with you, dear child of mine.  And today, there are so many feelings and emotions behind those three little words.  They are so tiny, and yet so powerful, just like you.

And I sit with you a moment longer, soaking in all of your beauty and wonder … this little child of mine.

Just as I whisper my words of love to you, God does also to each and every one of us.  It’s the sweet whispers of the wind blowing through our hair, the sunlight caressing our skin, the birds singing their melody for all the world to hear … God’s hands are in all things, and He is whispering from His lips to our hearts His love for us all.  Do you hear Him calling to you?

I love you to the moon & stars!

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of:  Whisper.   Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments (which we love, by the way), or link up your own blog post at Kate’s virtual house! 

Reach

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The prompt word has been posted for tonight for this edition of Five Minute Friday.  It is:  Reach.

And now we begin:

I have reached a point in my life where I no longer worry about the opinions others may have of me.  When once it used to bother me when I would hear people whispering about me and giving me those up and down looks, now I just take a deep breath in and give it to God.  I realize that I am not in control of any one else.  I am only in control of myself and my actions.   If you haven’t reached this point yet, give it time.  As you grow older, things of this sort will not matter as much any more.  You won’t sit up at night losing sleep over this like you once did.  You won’t try to go out of your way to reach this person, to change their opinion of you, to make things better like before.  You will just simply pray for them and hand it all to God to work out.   It used to bug me when someone didn’t like me before.  I wanted everyone to like me.  The reality of it is that not every one will.  I like me and God likes me, and that, my dear friends, is enough!

STOP!

Share your Five Minute Friday thoughts with us here in the comments, or if you have your own blog, link up with us over at Kate’s virtual house.

 

 

 

 

Change Is Possible

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I firmly believe that if a person truly wants to change, they will find a way to make the needed changes in their lives. It might take a situation where the person reaches rock bottom before they finally make that much needed change, but I believe that everyone has it in them to do so if they set their mind to it.

There are addictions of all kinds (i.e. drugs, alcohol, food, sex, etc.). It can be hard to get out from underneath the grip that these things may have on you, but I know that all things are possible with Christ! You don’t have to try to do this alone. He will help you if you only ask. I’m sure you are filled with remorse for having let yourself down as well as your family, but if you ask forgiveness and truly show that your heart and ways have changed, you will slowly gain the trust back from those that you love and who love you.

I have encountered a lot of negativity when I have been supportive toward someone close to me that has just within the past few months admitted that they were addicted to one of the above mentioned things. I will not call the person out, identify them in any way, nor will I state which addiction they have as they deserve privacy and respect. I will, however, say that I have had to endure countless “lectures” on how this person is never going to change, how they don’t believe that this person’s heart has been changed, and how they don’t believe that this person truly wants to make a lasting change. They feel that this person is talking the talk but is not walking the walk. They are standing in judgment of the individual to the point that it angers me. Why such strong emotion? Because this is someone that I love, and whether I’m considered naive, “in denial,” or just plain stupid, I still have faith in this individual. Why? Simply because I know that this is not truly who this person is nor what they are about. I have faith in this person because I know that they have the strength within them and through God to conquer this and squash this addiction once and for all. I know that this person is better than this, they just have to think more of themselves than to allow this cycle to continue.

This person has had a “rock bottom moment” within the past few months so much so that I truly believe the change that they have made for the better will be a lasting change. Sure, in the past it has only lasted two weeks at the max before things reverted back to the way they were before. However, I don’t see that happening now. I see a person that is in recovery. I see a person that has sought help all on their own for their addiction, and I see a person that desperately wants to recover and live a different life. I see a person striving to do so every day. Sure there will be struggles and temptations along the way, but this person can draw on the strength that the Lord provides so that when they are tempted God will deliver them from evil.

The sad thing about this is the ones talking negatively are the ones that were addicts at one point or another in their lives. They sought help and recovered, and yet they doubt this person’s heart and ability to fully recover themselves. How would they have felt in the mist of their recovery process if they had heard such negativity from people that simply did not believe in them? Would it have helped them thrive and continue on in recovery, or would it have caused them to relapse.

People can change. Change is possible if the person is sincere. No one knows their heart but God. However, I choose to see the good in them and will encourage them on their road to recovery.

Temptations

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

Tell

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Someone right this minute is struggling.  They are not sure where to turn or how to get out of the pit that they are in.  They are anxious and filled with fear, unsure of the next step that they need to take.   Your story needs to be brought out from the darkness into the light.  You do not need to suffer in silence any more, sweet child of God.  Share the things that torment your soul, speak them out into the universe so you can release the hold that they have on you.   This will require you to walk through the pain to get to the other side, but it is a necessary evil on the road to recovery.  You can speak it, you can share your story because your story matters.  It is up to you to tell it!  In doing so, you may be able to help another soul that is struggling like you.  You can be an encouragement to others. You have the power to release your thoughts and feelings into the universe. It is up to you to tell your story … because it matters.

Time is slipping away from us all.  There’s a list a mile long of things we need to do, and yet there is so little time to do them in.  So many things need our attention, and yet there never seems to be enough to go around.  Think of the children that need you, all of you, every ounce that you can pour out at the end of the day.  They need to hear how much you love them.  You can tell them.  You can be the one to not only whisper it in their ears at the end of the night as their eyelids grow heavy just before they drift off to sleep.  But realize that they need to hear it more often than that.  They need to be showered with your love and affection.  They need to be the center of your attention.  They need to know that they are your entire world, your heart and soul, the reason you are here on this earth – to parent them, to love and guide them, to cherish and treasure them.  You can tell them.

It is up to you to tell others that you love them … they need to hear it.

1I love you

 

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word:  Tell

Join us this and every Friday now over at Kate’s place, which is now the home that others gather to share their heart and a glimpse into their souls each and every Thursday night leading into Friday.

 

Fill

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With an empty feeling down deep inside, we sit and stare out into space.  Since you left us, it’s been so hard to put the pieces back together.  We try, but they don’t seem to fit right any more.  It’s as if we’re trying to put square pieces into a round hole.  It just doesn’t work.

When once we had such joy in our souls and the light shined brightly from the internal flame, now it is as if someone walked right up to us and blew it out just like you would the candles on a birthday cake.

Our hearts cry out for you.   Our whispered prayers carry your name from our lips across the blue skies extending up above the clouds and into Heaven’s gates straight to the foot of Jesus.   He listens attentively with this arms stretched out wide and loving kindness in every fiber of His being.  He comes to us and wraps us securely in His love.   He comforts as only He can and provides strength to go on.

If your heart is empty, let our Heavenly Father fill you with peace that surpasses all understanding as He pours His unconditional love over you.  Allow him to begin to mend your broken heart.

Pretty Place1

~This piece was written with the prompt word of FILL in mind for this edition of Five Minute Friday over at Kate’s virtual house.~

 

 

Begin

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So you made a mistake.  You messed up.   You thought you had it all together, but something went wrong along the way.  Things happen.  The important thing is to learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.   Stop beating yourself up!

Breathe … in … and hold it … then slowly release.

Allow all of your anxieties to flow out of your lungs through your body as they make their way out of your mouth as you blow out with determination and force.   Imagine that all of the negatives are being forced out right along with it.   Oh sure, some negativity tries to remain no matter how hard you blow out.   I can imagine slippery, slimy particles holding on by little suction cups on their hands and feet.   You blow, you exhale hard, and they lose their grip!  Yes!   Success as one screams its way past another and this negative being is no more!   As you continue to breathe out, even MORE negativity leaves your body …

You hold your head back for a moment as a smile creeps across your face now, and you are ready to begin again.

 

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word:  Begin.  Join us at the new location for the link up next week, but for now, this is the last hoo-ray over at Lisa Jo’s site!

Finish Strong

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You know the feeling as you start out with pure excitement over something new.  It thrills you completely, and you walk around with this silly grin on your face.  You beam with joy and happiness that pours forth from within.

Whether you’re learning to ride a bike or learning to ride a horse … you anticipate that you’ll be triumphant.  You will soar high in the sky like an eagle as your spirits take you to new heights as you experience such freedom and adventure in the journey.

You’re well on your way, and then … it happens.  You fall off of your bike and skin your knee, or even worse … you get thrown off of a horse (one that you did not know was “green” as in NOT fully broken nor dependable for a beginner to be riding … and no, the owner was not honest about this little piece of information that could have saved me a whole lot of pain!).  There you lay on the ground as your horse bucks and runs some more … you … now with the concussion, fractured hip, and fractured hand.  Yes, the latter actually happened to me on March 31, 2014.

You hurt … not from the physical pain so much as the pain you feel in not having completed something you had your heart set on.  You ache … not from the pain shooting through your body as your nerves become like live wires under your skin from the impact of the hip meeting the hard ground.

Your joy and happiness has turned into tears and sorrow.  You mourn over the loss of being able to ride … of accomplishing something you had your heart set on.   You feel as if you’ll never be able to get back up on that horse now after this accident.   You’re stuck between wanting to fulfill your dream and the harsh reality of an injury that has not only set you back physically but has impaired you mentally as well.  The fear sets in, and pretty soon, you’re depressed and unsure of anything any more …

Except for what is your passion.  And that is riding a horse!

And so, you heal.  You allow some time to pass, and when you feel you’re ready, you get back into the saddle again.  It may take you more time than before, and you may be slower on your approach or even putting one foot in the stirrup as you tremble with fear of what happened just a few short months ago.  Now you’re putting your faith in another horse as you say a silent prayer … and then you lift yourself over your horse with all of your might as you take your place in the saddle again.   Feet in the stirrups, reins in your hands, and a determined look on your face.  You take a deep breath, exhale, and command the horse to “walk on” as you whisper silent prayers from your heart to God’s ears … feeling as if your horse tunes into those feelings and emotions on their way from you up to the clouds and into Heaven to reach the throne of Jesus.

You set out to ride this horse, to take lessons, to do this which your heart desired … and now you’re determined to have a strong finish!  You WILL ride that horse.  You WILL take those lessons.  You WILL be a confident rider!

And you live your dream …

Finish Strong

 

This post was inspired by the prompt word FINISH for the weekly Five Minute Friday party.    When once I sat looking at my screen trying to write something of worth with this word, then all of the above came pouring out.   Thank you, God, for allowing the words to flow and to release something that has been inside of me for months … for allowing me to release the fear and get back up on another horse to try again … to live my dream, to honor the passion I feel around your massive yet beautiful and gentle creatures … to finish strong!

 

Bloom

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We’re gearing up for Friday, y’all!  Write your little hearts out for five whole minutes without worrying about getting it “just right.”  Don’t worry about perfection.  Just let those fingers fly!

Ready?

Set?

GO!

There is a saying that goes a little something like this, “Bloom where you are planted.”  What, exactly, does that mean?  Let’s explore, shall we?

Thinking back, I was uncomfortable in my own skin for way too long.  Circumstances and things of the past influenced my overwhelming feelings of low self esteem.  I was lacking self confidence, and I was full of insecurities.

I’ve known about Jesus from a very early age, and I had asked him into my heart and life early on as well.   It wasn’t until I was much older in my adult walk that I came to really realize and appreciate what having this relationship with Jesus was about and what it truly meant to be a Child of The King!

For so long I sought other people’s approval.  I wanted to “fit in” when the truth of the matter is that I was not like everyone else.  I think that added to my insecurities in my younger days; however, I’ve come to appreciate the fact that I am different as I’ve grown older and wiser (or so I’d like to think).   Now I don’t concern myself with fitting in or agonize as to whether people will like me.   I don’t try to be just like them because I recognize our differences and respect them, knowing full well that God made each of us in our own unique fashion because each of us brings something valuable to the table.  No, we may not be like Suzie Q, but that’s okay because God wants us to be exactly who WE are and who He created us to be.  He wants us to recognize the beautiful people that we are, how He made us with His very hands, taking His time to form every detail of our being.  He smiled looking at his beautiful creation, why then do we stare almost in hatred at ourselves when we look in the mirror?

Bloom where you are planted … to me, that means to appreciate where you are today.  You may have faced many trials and tribulations along the way.  You may have had situations arise in your life that threatened your sanity, your well being.   But know this.  God can take the most horrible situation and turn it into something good to be used for His honor and His glory.    Bloom where you are planted … watch the tiny little rose bud (that’s you in your younger days wrapped tightly in the bud with insecurities and lacking confidence) slowly begin to open up (that’s you as you’ve grown and matured in life) and transform itself into this bright, vibrantly colored rose displaying all of its wonder and grace (that’s you now, sweet one … we all recognize it but you!).  Bloom dear one, as God intended you to be.  Recognize your beauty in the present day, appreciate your transformation and know that God has great plans for you … bloom, darlings.  Bloom …

STOP!

 

1Flowers

 

Belong

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The Five Minute Friday prompt word is:  Belong

Ready to write for five whole minutes without regard to getting it just right?   I am! (Which takes a lot since I’m a perfectionist at heart – Eeeek!)

Set? (Come on, set your timers!)

Go! (Let it rip, girlfriend!)

There’s nothing we want more than to belong – in a group, to be accepted, loved for who you are, to have a sense of belonging, to be among friends, to belong to someone special.   It’s a longing deep within our being to belong.  Why is it so difficult then?

There are times we feel ostracized.  We feel left out in the cold.  We feel as if every one else has a place on the face of the earth but us.  We feel that everyone serves a purpose, has a calling, other’s lives are intertwined and yet there we are floating through time alone.

Why can’t we fit in?  Better yet, why would we WANT to?  We were made to be uniquely different from everyone else, and yet, we all want community.  We want to fit in, to be included.  We don’t want to spend the rest of our lives looking in on other people’s lives and the fun they’re having.  We don’t want to wish for that special someone or that best friend that everyone seems to have but us.

We want to be fulfilled … to fill a place in someone’s heart so that they feel that they belong as well.

And then it happens.  Two people that are floating through time feeling the exact same thing at the same time but thinking they are alone in their thoughts.  Yet, finally one speaks, and the other says, “Me, too!” and instantly a bond begins to form and they belong!  The day they have been waiting on has arrived, and they have a sense of belonging like they never have before.

Because they do!

Now they belong to each other.

STOP!

Angel

Exhale

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Five Minute Fridays begin a little earlier now for all the eager ones, like myself!   The prompt word is posted at 10 p.m. on Thursday nights to allow us to get a head start.  This week’s word is:  EXHALE

Ready?

Set?

GO!

Confusion and chaos has been our life for months on end now.   We have struggled, cried, prayed, begged, and pleaded with God, and each other.  Relying on our own strength has not gotten us very far at all.  It has never been more evident that our source of strength should come from God above … our strength should be in the Lord.

We have held our breath as we’ve tried to do this alone.  At times we have felt like we would surely die, the pain was so great.     We have been disillusioned, believing the lies of the devil.  He would like nothing more than to destroy our lives, our marriage, our family.   He whispers the most awful things, and we believe the king of lies, deceit and betrayal.  He wreaks havoc on us while throwing his head back laughing as evilness flows from his forked tongue.   We fall on our knees, face down, sobbing uncontrollably as he digs his pitch fork into our hearts.  Then God steps in front of us and shields us from a fatal blow to our hearts.  He extends His arms wide, like when He was on the cross, as He says, “These are MY children, and you will NOT hurt them any more!”   He stares the devil right in the eyes, and evilness has no choice but to slither back to where it came from.   Our Father has protected us once more, sheltering us with His love, shielding us with His strength, arming us with the power to go on.

And so, we do, as we slowly exhale all of the pain, the heartache, the overwhelming hurt that has been our companion for way too long now.   We exhale the sorrow, shedding the old ways we’ve been living and inhale His power, His strength, His love.  We feel His hand upon our lives even stronger now than before, and we know that we are going to be okay.

If God is for us, who could be against us?

STOP!

Exhale - Light Love Hope

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