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 “Gift.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
The other day I went down into my basement and found an unwanted gift: a mouse. In the one and a half years I have lived in this house, I have not seen that unwanted gift until last week. Last week I put in some mouse traps and have not seen those unwanted gifts since…so hopefully it stays that way.
But on another note, I recently finished Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts. Oh how I love that book! It has reminded me how important it is to take note of the many gifts; many blessings we have been given in life. I even downloaded the app and have been keeping track on my phone.
Tonight I had the gift of spending some quality time with some dear friends. Oh how much of a gift that is! And earlier this week, I had the gift of having coffee with my dear friend CT. Those moments are indeed gift in my life.
And as I have reflected on the many gifts I have been given in my life, I have been thinking about one of those gifts as my writing; whether it be in poetry or through blogging or whatever writing medium that may be. Those words that spill out onto the page are my gifts; my offerings to God. I write them down and then lift them up and place them on the altar to God.
I am reminded of the words we hear in John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” God sent Jesus into the world as a gift; as God’s living Word in the world. God calls us to use our gifts as an offering for the kingdom; as an offering to God. We place our gifts onto the altar and offer them as a gift for others; that they may realize that they are not alone; that are words are an offering for them too!
Beautiful post, but did you HAVE to mention the mouse?
Normally I dream of gunfights past, but last night I dreamt of a giant man-eating…wait for it…MOUSE. STill gives me the willies!
Thanks Andrew! Sorry I had to mention the mouse. If I had known about the dream, I wouldnt have mentioned him at all!
Your words. Your friendship. Your encouragement. Are God's gifts to me! xo Love you, friend.
Thanks Susan! Love you too!!!
Ummm, finding Mickey's cousin in your house???? Ewwwww!!!! Glad they've packed up and left 🙂
I love the image of your writing gift as an offering. To me, that means you're freely giving it without expectation of receiving anything in return. You don't give an offering looking for return change.
Hmmm, good thoughts here, Tara 🙂
I am glad that Mickey's cousins have up and left too. I def hope it stays that way. Thanks for stopping by Sabrina!
I'm not a big fan of mice, that's for sure! But when my daughter was mowing the law a month ago, she uncovered three baby kangaroo rats–now those were CUTE! But I digress. Keep using your words as your love offering to God, and he will continue to bless the gift you bring and multiply it beyond your expectations.
Baby kangaroo rats…Ill have to google what they look like because I don't think I have every seen them before. Thanks for stopping by friend!
Oh my – I love everything about this – except, of course, the mouse!
I knew you would love that book! Counting gifts makes life better, because God promises that we will find what we seek… and once we train our eyes to look – we see blessings all around!
Love you so!
I am so glad you love everything about this post except, of course, the mouse! Yuck! Counting gifts really does make life better. Love you so too!
Great post. So true. Thankful for God's precious gift.
Thanks Lynn! Me too!
This is a great post, Tara. I remember the first time I read Ann's book about 4 years ago. It really was inspiring and I have read it once or twice more. I started my own list of 1000 gifts back then, but have only written sporadically so I've still got a ways to go. I like thinking of our writing as gifts God has given us and that we give back to Him. Blessings, and thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog 🙂
Thanks Gayl! You are welcome!
Tara,
how I love the thought of our writing, our words as a gift. And to see the purpose-that others may know they're not alone. Oh how that validation, that "me too" lifts us up! We don't want to be alone in this universe. We long for community. (And blog comments, tee hee)
Thanks again for your real friendship across our virtual connection!
Love,
Tammy
Tammy, so true! We all do long for community (and yes, even blog comments!) Thankful for your real friendship across our virtual connection too!
I like where you took this! Your thought about our words being an offering to God, a worship gift, is insightful. That makes me want to really ponder and consider what I put out there.
Thanks Marie! I am glad that my words are insightful!