The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “loud.”

Over these last several months, life has been so uncertain. I’ve loved the time I’ve had with my kitties. But to be honest, there is so much I miss. I can’t wait until the day we get to hear those sweet sounds, hug those we love and not live life in the midst of a pandemic.

I miss the sound of sports fans in stadiums. It’s just not quite the same with virtual fans.

I miss gathering in worship without a mask on. I miss the sounds of children laughing and people conversing over coffee.

I miss the loud sounds of theater and music concerts. My heart is so ready to watch a concert with friends. But until then I’ll just blare my favorite tunes all over my house.

I miss seeing friends and family’s smiles and faces!

Oh how I miss this and so much more. I can’t wait to hear those sweet loud sounds again. What do you miss hearing, friends?

And for fun, here’s an oldie but a goody that I love to jam out too!

The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “mercy.”

“But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy/kindness and walk humbly with your God.”-Micah 6:8

I immediately thought of this Bible verse when I heard the word prompt this week. This was my seminary class’ verse. It is on a banner that hangs in my office at church. This is how I want to live my life. I want to fight for justice. I want to love kindness. I want to always walk with my God.

It also made me think of the book and movie Just Mercy which is written by Bryan Stevenson. This book is about the Equal Justice Initiative and their goal to help those who have been wrongly accused. It is also a book about racism and how we still have work to do. I watched the movie in June when it was free on all streaming platforms. It also will be our book club book in December. Please if you haven’t read the book or movie, check it out. You might be surprised at what you learn.

Stevenson is quoted as saying, “The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it’s necessary to recognize that we all need mercy, we all need justice, and perhaps we all need some measure of unmerited grace.” Ponder that!

Because God‘s grace is a free gift given to us all.

I’ve missed you all! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve played along. The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “right.”

Right or left? Right or wrong? That’s where my brain went when I heard this weeks word prompt for Five a Minute Friday. When it comes to right or left handed, you are either one or the other or you are both: ambidextrous.

Now you would think when it comes to right or wrong, we would be able to determine what is right or wrong. For Christians, we look at the fruits of the Spirit, the Ten Commandments, etc. But the reality is that right now, it’s not so easily cut and dry.

Some of us see wearing a mask as the right thing to do: to protect our neighbors. Others see the right thing as choosing not to wear a mask. Some see homeschooling as right for the time being while others see sending their kids to school as the right thing.

To say that determining right or wrong during this pandemic is complicated is an understatement. Yet what I do know is right is to love one another despite our differences. We can love each other even when we disagree. Because ultimately Gods love wins and that’s what is right in this world.