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 “Learn.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
This summer has been a busy summer for me…busier than usual. But throughout the summer, I have continued to learn so much.
I learned that my heart finds so much peace when I take the time to just be and enjoy God’s creation in the Rocky Mountains.
I learned how amazing it is when 30,000 youth and adults gather in a huge stadium in Detroit and declare God’s promises of peace and justice with the world.
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| This is only a portion of the Gathering! |
I learned how sometimes you just have to get out of the boat…and other times you just have to stay. (Thanks for sharing those words FMF Retreat friends!)
I learned how part of my story will always be sharing my family’s struggle with a mental illness. I learned that part of my story will always be that I am a daughter; a daughter of a woman who daily struggles with a mental illness.
I learned that YOU are my people! I was so blessed to meet three of the Five Minute Friday ladies last weekend while I was in Nashville with my sister. You all are my heart!
I learned that I value spending quality time with my sister. It will be a long time before I forget our trip.
I learned that relationships and friendships go far beyond computer screens. They are found in Twitter handles and Voxer messages. They are found in sharing our stories and hearing those two simple words “Me, too!”
I learned that God continually widens the circle to bring more friends into the friendship circle.
I learned that I am never through learning! Life is always teaching us!
What have you learned this summer my friends?
Tara, we took this word in a similar direction. You've learned some eternal things! I love that you had time with your sister. As I grow older, I'm learning life is uncertain. We never know how many days we'll have with others in our lives.
And I loved what you said about God continually widening the circle to welcome in new friends. So true! 🙂 I'm loving getting to know the people at FMF.
I'm your neighbor this week.
Jeanne, we did go in similar directions. I loved the time with my sister. I am realizing more and more the importance of spending time with those I love. God does indeed widen the circle of friendship. It truly amazes me!
I've learned that worrying gets me nowhere ;). And the lesson that God's ways are not my ways was reaffirmed…several times. I'm glad you had such an educational summer and just a tad jealous that you got to meet some FMF friends!
Worrying really does get us nowhere, doesn't it? Sorry you are a tad jealous. It was such a gift to meet some of the FMF ladies!
Tara,
you are a blessing! 🙂 Friendship goes beyond computer screens…Amen! Although, I feel so loved that you include me as a friend. I very much hope we'll get our own connection before we go to the great big eternal party!
And, those Rocky Mountains…yes! I miss them.
I'm learning just how much God wants me to ignore everything I've ever thought I wanted…and how it's giving me more contentment than I ever imagined.
~Tammy
(linked at sweet 16 this week)
Awww thanks Tammy! I too hope we get our own connection before we go to the great big eternal party! I love what God has been teaching you.
What a lovely, heartfelt essay. You brighten the lives you touch.
I've learned that no matter what, I'm going to feel really crappy by the end of the day, so I may as well get something done and work through the pain…because then I'll feel crappy with a sense of accomplishment.
#9 on FMF this week…
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/08/your-dying-spouse-43-learning-to-let-go.html
Thanks Andrew! Those words of how I brighten the lives I touch mean a lot coming from you. So thankful you are here!
(((Hugs))) I've learned that online friends can be real life friends, even if they never get to meet. Voxer name is mholli5174 – 😉
Hugs,
Melinda
(((Hugs))) back at you! And glad we were able to connect on Voxer!!
And now I KNOW who Tara is that everyone kept talking about at the retreat. And I wish I'd have Twittered before last night, so I would have better known these ladies that I met up with before I got there 🙂
I learned that you don't go anywhere if you don't take the first step and get out of the boat. https://christianhomelife.wordpress.com/
🙂 Yes it really does take getting out of the boat and taking the first step. Since apparently everyone was talking about ME, I feel like I was kind of there too! 🙂
thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Denise!
Life is never done teaching us, and neither is God! And I am SOOOOO grateful I got to meet up with you, if only for a little while! What a blessing it was to meet you in person and share a slightly unconventional (but delicious) dinner with you!
I am sooooo grateful we got to meet up too and share a slightly unconventional (but delicious) dinner with you!!!
tara, you may not have been at the retreat, but you were spoken of fondly:) i felt good that i actually knew who you were when they named your blog. "oh yes, I know her!" i wish i could have met you face to face:) you would have fit right in! thanks for stopping by my little place.
Wow! I wish we could have met face to face too.
And, you've learned how to make great graphics, remember? Yay you. You HAVE had a busy summer – what a blessing! xo
Yes, I did indeed learn how to make great graphics. Yes indeed summer has been crazy busy for me.
Yay! I love all the things that you are learned! xoxo
🙂 xoxo
Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your heart. I've learned a lot this summer about the importance of taking a breather every now and again to refresh and get a new perspective. 🙂 Blessings! Tasha
Thanks Tasha! I love the lesson you have learned this summer too. It really is important to take time to breath every now and again!
Love it, my friend!
Thanks Marie!
This is great – you look like you've had a fantastic summer. Here's to the learning continuing! 🙂
I did have a fantastic summer…kind of sad it is almost over! And yes to the learning continuing!!