Watch-It Wednesday: The Nail

Oh dear. Is it just me, or do we all have a nail about which we like to complain, and yet, want to ignore? :p

Listen to the concerns and input of those around you. Get rid of your nail today, ok? Have a pressure-free Wednesday!

Five Minute Friday: Small

{photo}

"Let it go."

"What are you talking about, LORD? I already have. Look, my hands are practically empty!"

"Let it go."

"God, I said You could have everything, and You've taken me at my word. Look, all that's left are the few crumbs of good works I can do."

"Let it go."

"What, LORD? How can You ask this? Don't You realize if I let that go, I have to give up all the good I'm doing there, too? That can't be Your will - You don't really want me to turn my back on that."

"Let it go."

"LORD, look. If it was actually a bad thing, I would let it go. I would. It's not like I have to have it. If I was completely sure it was really You asking me give it up (You know, not just a self-inflicted humility test), I would do it in a jiffy. I just know you can't really be asking me to give up a tiny piece of self-contentment at the sacrifice of all the good I do there. That's why I'm not giving it up. You know?"

"Let it go."

"Lord, it's such a small thing. Can't we just move on?"

"Let it go."

...

"Let it go."

...

"Let it go."

"Ok."

"LORD, I can't. Please help me."

And He does. And suddenly, I realize that the "small stumbling" in the grand good was actually a great stumbling in a small good. And I realize, I am free.

 One word. Five minutes. No edits. It's Five Minute Friday!

Five Minute Friday: Lonely



{photo}



From family to family, from generation to generation, from father to son ~

Wept over, laughed over, smiled over, frowned over,

Revered, honored, respected, treasured,

The new Bible.

From estate sale to collector's shelf, from antique shop to museum,

Exclaimed over, touched over, studied over, bargained over,

Valued, priced, bought, sold,

The old Bible.

From honored to priced, from treasured to sold, from respected to valued,

Wept over, bargained over, smiled over, studied over,

Years, generations, world views, dust,

The lonely Bible.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up...." (Deuteronomy 6:7-8)

 One word. Seven minutes (I cheated :). No editing. It's Five Minute Friday!

Bright Eyes {Part II}

To read Part I, "Alone," click here.

{photo credit}

Her wounds are open and infected now, oozing with bitterness, resentment, envy: heartfelt pain. All who see her avoid her heap, and mock She Who Falls.

Amidst the haze of pain and betrayal comes One who stands. One who speaks to her, touching her, asking her to rise again. But she has grown wise, and refuses, rolling away from the side of the One. Still He comes, ignoring protestations. He lifts her; He stands her on a new path. He walks beside, cheering her on.

Her eyes doubt.

Armies of death charge toward them, chilling in their battle cry. A flash of hopelessness echoes from heart to eyes, and she shrinks back, conceding before the clash by slipping to the ground.

But One catches her. He stands her up. He steps before.

Death's warriors raise their swords in victory, as the One they always sought stands ~
Stands as a human shield before She Who Falls.
In a moment, it is done. Before her falls the One Who Stands, and again she stands, alone.

Her eyes weep.

Drained of strength, she sinks to her knees, sight blurred by tears she's never known, and she whispers, gaspingly --

Unseen, One stands again, ignoring the sting of blood, and bends over her.

--"Please, let me stand."

Warm arms raise her, and strength shoots through her weakness at the touch. Shaken, she grasps the hands of the One, and rises. Rises again, and for the first time.

Hope dawns.

Heart sings.

Hand clinging to His, feet moving forward, with shining eyes she strides steady and sure down the bright path. When knees fail, One upholds. When pressure comes, One supports. When wind blows, One steadies.

She Who Falls now runs, eyes bright as the Morning Stars.

Alone {Part I}

{photo credit}

Hands on hips, feet firmly planted, with laughing eyes she stands tall and capable in the morning sunlight. Unexpectedly, knees buckle, and she reaches for him, standing beside her.

He dodges.

She falls.

Unconquerable, she remains down for only a moment before springing up and moving, once again, to a place beside him. He welcomes the motion with a smile, and once again she stands, forgiving and tall. Her eyes smile.

Naysayers swarm toward her from afar, and her body turns rigid, while fear creeps across her face. Slowly, she faces them, backing toward him, leaning for strength, for support.

Again, he steps away.

Again, she falls.

Overpowered by the Nays, time lengthens before she can rise, but once again she stands, now with sores of resentment and sorrow forming. Again she moves beside him. Again he smiles.

Her eyes wonder.

The wind rushes toward her, shoving, pulling, flipping her feet out from under her. Wildly, she reaches toward his hand, but just as quickly he removes it, and again she falls.

Rise. Move beside him. Ignore the hurt. See the smile.

Her eyes mourn.

She begins to walk away, but he stays beside her, and unbid hope returns. Around the bend, she trips headlong into the ditch. Hopefully, desperately, she reaches toward him one final time, but he watches with indifference as she falls.

Crumpled, dejected, she lies in a heap for ages, refusing to rise. Eventually, he shrugs and moves on, leaving her as she always was.

Alone.

To Be Continued...