I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Try.” Write for five minutes; unedited.

I have always been a try…er!

When I got my first bike, I didn’t even use training wheels. It was my fifth birthday and I had a bunch of friends over at my house. My friends encouraged me to get on the bike and so I did. They all found their way around the bike, held on and then gave me a push. Next thing they knew I was pedaling down the street…not a training wheel in sight.

As I got older, my dad thought it would be a good idea for me to learn how to drive a stick shift and then later, a tractor. I remember many times my sister in the backseat being a “backseat driver.” But I did try and finally succeeded at driving both a stick shift and a tractor. Even though one time I turned the wheel rake a little too short and took out a fence. OOPS!

A few weeks ago, my colleague and I took some kids to our local Bible camp for a day on their high ropes course. Many of the youth gave it a good ol’ try. And because they tried…I also gave it a try. I didn’t make it up the first element, but made it up the second element and ziplined down. Then a few weeks later, on our way to the national youth gathering, we also participated at a camp and had to rock climb. The two boys told me we weren’t leaving the facility until I got to the very top.* I tried my very best  to get to the top. My youth kept telling me to listen to my own words as I was encouraging them. But sadly I never made it to the top.

I try every day to be the best me that I can be…to be completely and utterly who God created me to be. Some days that is easier said than done. But the truth is that God gives each of us the strength to always try and know that he is with us in our trying. Because in the words of a Tweet from my FMF friend Tammy, “An attempt is always applauded.”

Oh how true, my friends, an attempt is always applauded. I think of my Special Olympics friends who always TRY their very best. And are delighted to even get a participation ribbon. I think of my own momma who has taught me so much about life and living because she tries every day to not let her illness get in the way of who she is. I think of little ones as they try to say their first words or take their first steps.

So my friends, give it a try…whatever it might be!