I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. Today’s word prompt is “touch.” We would love to have you join us.
Her precious body curled up on mine. My hand runs across her fur. So soft. Her tongue licks my hand. Her head butts up again me…telling me to pet her or play with her. My sweet precious kitty Luna….balm to my soul.
His little hand in mine. His voice yelling my name, “Tara, look, look, I found more eggs.” His joy infectious.
She bolts down the aisle to get to me. She has to tell me the latest news in her world. Sometimes she has to tap my leg to get my attention.
Their hands work the soil. They plant seeds with the tractor. They harvest the field later on. Right now, it’s hard to do anything; touch any of the land. It’s so sloppy and muddy; 117 inches of snow on the farm this winter. It makes calving and planting more complicated.
A hot beverage touches my lips. The tea soothes my soul as it trickles down my throat.
Touch is all around us. Touch reminds us of the gifts we’ve been given…to use our hands, our feet, our eyes, our ears, etc. I love the ways touch find their way into my everyday.
I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. Today’s word prompt is “next.” We would love to have you join us.
Grief holds my hand
As I stand at the foot
Of the cross.
My savior
Humiliated
A crown of thorns
Upon his head
Nails driven
Into his hands and side
Blood poured out
Blood that is his
And not ours.
Shouts of crucify him
Darkness befalls
His body lifeless
This day is what it’s all about. We cannot have Easter without the pain and reality of Good Friday. Jesus must die before he can be raised. I often find myself imagining I’m standing at the foot of the cross waiting for Jesus to take himself down. Yet he doesn’t. Tears and grief are holding my hand as I wonder and wait for what’s next.
The land is barren and dry as we began our Lenten journey. As we stand on the barren road, a cross placed on our foreheads we hear, “From dust you came; to dust you shall return.” On that dry barren Lenten weary road, I sometimes find myself wanting to just sit down and rest; to wait until someone comes along so we can walk together along this weary road. This road seems so very long with no end in sight.
Yet eventually we come to the end of the road where Jesus is now riding on a donkey. Cloaks being laid out on the road and palm branches waving in the air; heralding his arrival. Jesus triumphantly entering and his followers escorting him into town. Yet there still not quit there. They are standing outside the gates to Jerusalem. On this road, I too find myself wanting to not take another step. What will I see or what will happen if I continue along this Lenten weary road.
There is so much that happens in this most holiest of weeks: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the gathering at the table, Jesus’ crucifixion and death and then the empty tomb. The truth is we cannot have Easter without experiencing the reality and pain of the rest of Holy Week. Easter cannot come without traveling through each of these holy days as we experience and witness the cost of God’s love as Jesus dies on the cross for all of us.
As we walk along this weary road, I know that more than ever I am in need of the Easter promises. I need to be reminded again and again that life not death has the final word. “Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won’t stay there (Clarence W Hall)
Easter blossoms from the empty barren Lenten road to a road scattered with new life. Butterflies flutter around the empty tomb. Tulips sprout forth on that cracked barren Lenten weary road. Paraphrased from Psalm 30:5, “Death comes for the night, but joy; Easter joy comes with the morning.”
But before we can get there, me must first wallow in this week. We must experience all it has to offer. We must sit at the Holy table knowing we will be welcomed even if we deny or betray Christ like Peter and Judaea did the night before his death. We must let our feet be washed by the master. We must stand at the foot of the cross watching as Jesus breathes his last; hearing him utter, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” We must stand vigil and lay his body to rest in the tomb.
But then on Easter morning, we must proclaim that death has been defeated. The grave is empty. The road is no longer cracked and barren but is busting forth with new life. We must triumphantly declare, “Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!”
Linking up with Holly and the Ra Ra linkup, Mary and Tell His Story, Sue and Let’s Have Coffee!
I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. Today’s word prompt is “lack.” We would love to have you join us.
There is food on my table.
There is a pillow for me to lay my head at night.
There are people I love.
Yet I look around my community
Around our world
And I see there are many
Lacking these things.
Some are sleeping in their cars.
Some are on friends couches.
They are searching for food.
How can we help those who are lacking?
As Holy Week begins, I can’t help but think of Jesus
(1) KD bringing me craft supplies and other stuff for church. Also attending a speaker together.
(2) Messaging with ACK and making plans for this weekend.
(3) A fresh Spring rain
(4) Fun April Fool’s joke
(5) Fun new tshirts! I am such a sucker for fun new tshirts!!!
(6) Answered prayers that I have prayed during my Lenten practice for others. I love when I get praise report messages back after praying for my friends.
(7) New Spice and Tease teas!!!
(8) Lunch and catching up with ACK!
(9) Mama Mia with KS
(10) A beautiful PLN
(11) Running into CO and GO at the eye doctor and having My Swirl with them.
I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. Today’s word prompt is “offer.” We would love to have you join us.
