Five Minute Friday: Park

Whenever I need a push in my blogging, I find Five Minute Fridays a good place to get them.

Five minutes on: Park

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I'm a mom, so I feel like when I hear the work "park" my thoughts should immediately go to a green space; possibly filled with play structures where my kids can run and around and make as much noise as they'd like. And I do go there in my mind, but only briefly.

Quickly, though, my brain turns to the verb form of the word and the settled-ness it brings to mind. With housing issues up in the air, I think my brain is constantly yearning for a permanent place to park. A place to think about the future and to celebrate the past. We're coming up on a holiday season that I already know will be unique because we will only celebrate these holidays once in our current living space. Next year we'll be somewhere completely different. Will we be parked in a forever home at that point? Watching the current market really makes me wonder.

I don't like this feeling of unease. I will admit that it's gotten better since we've gotten used to our current home. Last night was the first night since we've moved in that all the dishes were done! I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream! In a disposable bowl, of course. It was nice to wake up to a clean sink this morning and I was proud of the kids for washing their own breakfast dishes.

I've got plans for a good cleaning spree tomorrow and then I'll be parking my rear end on the couch for a Sunday day of rest! Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

STOP

Join in with your own five minutes of free writing by linking up here!

Collecting Memories

We had a little over 13 years in our home before we collected all of our things to move on. It was a good home for us. It was the home we brought three children home to and mourned a fourth in. It was a home that saw countless birthday parties, Christmas mornings, temper tantrums, and arguments. It is the only home my children had ever known. It wasn't easy to leave, but we felt it was time.

We still don't know exactly where we'll end up. Things are stuck in limbo right now with many of our possessions in storage and many more in boxes in a rented living room. It's a good time to think of what we really need and what really matters.

I've spent the last few months collecting memories. Those blue and yellow striped walls that show up in so many of my Timehop pictures. I remember my younger brother being agitated about painting them. The way I wanted them required painting the whole room yellow and then painting 75% or it blue over top. A more reasonable person would have made thicker yellow stripes, but at seven months pregnant, I was not reasonable. I also couldn't help with any of the painting!

There are cinder blocks in front of the porch. The porch has an awkwardly high step from the sidewalk. I remember falling down that step when we were moving in. My older brother was very worried that I had hurt myself or the baby. He went straight out to Lowe's to buy cinder blocks to offset that space. I've fallen down those steps again since, but mostly because I'm clumsy sometimes.

There are so many things I will miss about this home, but I"m ready to move on and collect more memories somewhere else. Hopefully someone where we don't have to wait in line for the bathroom. Somewhere the kids can run around in the yard. A place that has plenty of room for friends and family to visit.


It's been a while since I participated in a Five Minute Friday. It's actually been a while since I blogged much at all, but I felt the need to write and this has always been a good way for me to do so. You can find the link up at Kate's blog.

Five Minute Friday: Free

I haven't been hanging out with the Five Minute Friday crew much lately. I've had other things going on and I've let it slide. This morning I woke up with a need to go back and visit. A need for some reflection and introspection. And I go visit and find the word to be "free."

That strikes me a somewhat funny. Last night I helped Henry get some more packing done. Frances did hers on Tuesday. This weekend, we're doing a bunch of driving around and ultimately, Frances will be dropped off at my parents' house for a week and Henry will be dropped off at sleep-away camp. Next week Benjamin will be an only child and that feels very freeing for me.

I talked to Henry about being away from home and he's so excited about camp that he doesn't have one single worry about missing us. I could lie and tell you that hurt my feelings, but in reality, I'm glad he feels so comfortable to try new things. In fact I even asked him, "Won't you miss us at all? What if I forget to come back and pick you up??"

He gave me the biggest giggle and yelled, "You always come get me!!!" He sounds so confident in my love that I feel like I must have done something right! That's a freeing feeling too. All the little day to day worries about whether I'm raising them to follow Jesus. Whether they'll be a good friend, make good decisions, find success in life. I tend to worry about those things. What parent doesn't? But last night I was freed from those worries for a moment as my son yelled his conviction so loudly. He knows his mommy will always be there for him!

The Relief of Grace

Go...

There are nights when I stumble out of the kids room after putting them to bed and I just can't wait to fall on the couch and not do anything for five minutes. It's such a relief to be done with the marathon that is my day. In hindsight, I don't really like that feeling, but in the thick of things, sometimes I feel like can only hold on for a few more seconds.

A Much Needed Break

Five Minutes on "break" 

Go...

I complained about how long the month of February seems. It goes on forever in those 28 days! Then came March and when I blinked it was almost over!! 

This is the busy time for me in my job. We are getting near the end of the semester and the end of the academic year. My focus is on ending the year right, being ready for the summer, and preparing for next fall. 

Five Minute Friday: When

Five minutes on when: 

GO

I've been feeling out of sync lately. 

I'm tired when everyone else wants to do something, but I'm wide awake when everyone else is sleeping.

I'm broke when it's time to pay the bills, and then money comes in when there is nothing due immediately.

I'm hungry when it's not mealtime and when I sit down to dinner I don't feel like eating.

I feel like I'm just on a different page from everyone else around me. 

Do you every feel that way? Like you're just a step behind the people you're interacting with?

It's like trying to dance a waltz when your partner is doing the jive.

It's like making a five course dinner and realizing that it's breakfast time.

It's like renting a video when everyone wants to play board games.

I wrote earlier in the week about wanting an owner's manual for my kids, but the reality is that I'm out of  sync with everyone right now: my kids, my husband, my friends, my job.

I feel like the square peg that's supposed to go in a round hole.

And I told someone that's just how February is for me. Somehow the whole month just seems off. And it takes for ever. The days go so slowly and time doesn't seem to pass for hours at a time.

I'm going to call it The Februarys and just be thankful when March gets here. 

STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

The Waiting Game: One I Hate Playing

Sometimes I like to pretend I'm a patient person. I've even had people compliment me on my patience. Usually after watching me deal with a child's public meltdown without yelling or screaming. I think it's great that I've fooled so many people into thinking I'm patient, but I'm just not.

In fact, one of the worst words to ever say to me is "wait." I hate it. Wait is worse than "no." At least with no there is closure. It ain't gonna happen, so just move on.  Wait, on the other hand means that it will likely happen, but not for a while. That makes my head explode.

The ammonia is too high in our fish tank right now. We lost a fish because of it. :( The fish experts at the pet store told me to do some water changes, trouble up the rocks at the bottom and clean them out good. We're also supposed to stop feeding the fish for a few days at a time. And then the dreaded word: wait! I don't want to wait! I want the tank to be better so the fish will be okay!

I'm trying to fix your home, fishies. I promise!

We're trying hard to manage our finances and make good money choices. And I know that relief is coming. Especially when Ben goes to Kindergarten and we no longer have a day care bill. But until then...we wait. I can see the burden being lifted, but it hasn't happened yet. I don't want to be patient! I want to be debt-free!

We had a recent upset in plans. Something we had both hoped for and prayed for was not meant to be. I spent almost a full two days crying about the loss (of something we never really had). Lots of people reminded me that God has good things in store for us. And while I fully believe that, I get tired of waiting for those things to come! I want them now!!

I guess it's good that most people perceive me as a patient person. On the outside, I guess I am. But on the inside, I get agitated when I have to wait. And I'll just go ahead and assume that's how God is teaching me patience.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Share

Something really funny happened last night as Ken and I were getting ready for bed. We laughed for about ten minutes and then we settled down. As I snuggled up close to him, I leaned over and whispered, "This is gonna make a great story for my blog!" and then we both dissolved into giggles again.

Except it's not really going to make a great story here. Mainly because I'm not going to share it. It was a private giggle and it's best left there. Please don't think I'm being a tease about it. I only mention it to point out that what you see here is only a small cross section of what goes on at my house and in my life.

There are lots of things I don't share on my blog. I don't have written criteria for how that works. I play it by ear and trust my heart. For the most part, what I share here is 95% about me. I share stories about my kids, but only in ways that I don't see having negative repercussions later. Ken is a much more private person, so I rarely share stories about him. That's the way he prefers it and I respect that. Those aren't my stories to tell.

I do share about myself though. I share about my struggles with faith. I share about my messy house. I share my trials and triumphs as a parent. My main goal in all of it? To be a 100% real person. I may not share all the bad, but I've never tried to make my life look better than it is. I hope to give an honest reflection of working motherhood and the life I lead. And I hope that helps other women, moms in particular, feel good about their own lives too.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Send

Earlier in the week, Frances brought home a paper from school. She wants to sign up for the band next year and she needed permission to do so. The form had a place for her to pick out a first choice instrument and a second choice. The whole thing made me nervous. She's just in middle school and they track everything so early. I asked her if she understood what she'd being giving up in order to be in the band. She did (art, choir and drama). She sounded so sure of herself. 

She's at that age when she's making decisions that aren't the decisions I would have made for her. Don't get me wrong! They aren't bad decisions!! They are great decisions. Just not the things I would have chosen.

It makes me realize more and more that she is not me.

She is growing up into her own person!

She is becoming a young lady with thoughts, and dreams, and ideas I never expected.

Next thing you know we'll have to send her off to college!!

I'm not ready for that!

So I guess it's a good thing that also this week, I had the chance to pick her up from school after violin rehearsal. She'd had a recent disappointment and I wanted to spend some one-on-one time with her. I told her she could pick whatever she wanted. She chose to go get ice cream and watch a Harry Potter movie with me on the couch.

We snuggled under the same blanket and ate the same kind of Blizzard.

I realized that even though she's not me, she's still mine.

And even when we do send her out into the big world, I have confidence that she'll always know where home is.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Welcome

We started back to school and work this week. It was a welcome return to our regular routines. I'm not saying that we didn't enjoy the Christmas break. We did. I am never negligent in remembering how fortunate I am to have two weeks off at the holidays. That's not a work benefit everyone has. The kids and I spent a good number of days just hanging around the house. There was even a day when Henry wore shorts because I hadn't done laundry and we "weren't going anywhere anyway, right?"

It was a good break. But just as you cannot appreciate the sun without a few storms and you forget to enjoy the light unless it's broken up by dark; we start to take each other for granted when we are in each other's faces for too long. In our house absence makes the heart grow fonder! When I picked the kids up on Monday, we were all happy to see each other. The kids had enjoyed going back to school; learning, playing with their friends, and interacting with people other than the ones in our house.

2014 was a good year. It had it's ups and downs, but as a sunshine-y optimist, I tend to remember mostly the ups. When I remember the downs, I usually remember the life lessons learned rather than the actual events. I welcome 2015! I know it will be a good year too. Life is what you make it and I choose to make it a good one!

This post is party of Five Minute Friday. Click the link below for more details.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Prepare

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I saw the prompt, and I started to freak out a bit.

Prepare.

It reminded me that I've got so much left to do! Sewing and painting and wrapping. And the shopping I can't do until I get paid on Monday. Not to mention all the housework that needs to be done. My kids can't even find clean underwear in the morning because I'm so behind on laundry!

And then I took a deep breath and reminded myself about why the prompt is prepare. Those other things up there? They don't really matter in the scheme of things. If that's all I'm worried about this time of year, then I'm doing it wrong. It's not about all those external preparations.

It's inside. I need more work on getting my heart and my head ready. The thing to prepare is me.

We were all angry and yelling this morning. I honestly don't understand how the kids can't get the routine down when we've been doing it five days a week for five months! It stresses me out and makes me angry. I don't like starting my day like that.

And I almost skipped our prayer time. But we didn't. And to be frank, I felt like an asshole starting out prayer with a clench in my jaw because of all the behavior issues this morning. And then we read about Mary. That Mary understands. That she hears her people and reaches out to them where they are. That she appeared to Juan Diego is the guise of a Native Mexican woman; in a language he could understand.

And then I drove the kids to school and Your Grace is Enough came on the radio. And I'm reminded that no matter what God will always be there to help me prepare my heart for Him. He meets me where I am and gently pulls me back to where I need to be.

So I'm letting go of the harsh words from this morning. I'm starting over (again) and I'm going to concentrate on readying the things the really need to be prepared. All the rest will fall into place exactly as it should be. If only I will prepare my heart. And theirs.

STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Dear

Five minutes on dear...
GO

Dear Kids,
It's been a long week. It sure was nice to have that time off together to take it easy over Thanksgiving break, wasn't it? This week back to our regular routines has been tough. We've had appointments, illness, lots of snot, and general crankiness all week, haven't we? Even your dad and I are feeling drained.

It seems to hard to celebrate and enjoy Advent, when the speed of things increases so much at this time of year. It seems like we're in a cart, rolling down a hill, picking up speed and sailing over bumps as we go. 

I don't want it to be like that. I want us to calm down and enjoy the season. I want us to feel like we did last night.

I know we were out super late, but I don't for one minute regret taking you out to the reconciliation service last night. Henry and Frances, I know you were nervous. I was too. It's hard to take such a deep look at ourselves. But I am proud of you for going. And your faces when you were done were absolutely priceless! Henry, you especially looked so proud of yourself! I hope you like the feeling of a "freshy clean soul!" It looks good on you!

Henry's First Reconciliation!

And the best part was that even though you got less sleep than usual, you guys still woke up in a state of grace and were kind to each other all morning. I know it won't last for any of us, but I'm glad we're savoring it while we can.

Let's savor the rest of this Advent season together too. Let's see where we can slow down and remember to look at the other person as Christ. Let's keep this feeling going for as long as we possibly can!

All my love,
MOM

STOP

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five Minute Friday: Still

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...
Five minutes on still...
GO

My kids have been fighting a lot lately. It seems to me that they've been going out of their way to annoy each other and pick fights. I've been trying to keep them separated as much as I can, but in a teeny tiny house that gets difficult.

Last night we had several eruptions between dinner and bed. The boys were playing Legos quite nicely together until they weren't. I'm not sure what changed, but they both started yelling and crying. I shooed them off to get pajamas in an effort to redirect them to something else. They got ready for bed and played nicely for another few minutes before another eruption.

I finally got everyone settled into bed and I started to turn out the lights. That's when I noticed that Ben was already out cold. Despite the noise in the room and the overhead lights, he was completely still and sleeping.

TO look at him there, in that state, I can easily remember that he's only four ("four and a haff!") He doesn't have all his emotions figured out. 

I read a story and said prayers with Frances and Henry and then I sat in their room until they were still as well. I like the quiet and the chance to relax for a moment. But more importantly I need that reminder every day. The reminder that they are children and still learning and growing. As difficult as it is to remember in the daylight, they are not intentionally trying to drive me crazy. I hope I can hold on to the reminder for longer periods throughout the day.

 

Five Minute Friday: Turn

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...
Five minutes on turn...
GO
I sat down with Henry at dinner last night. After I blessed myself I looked at him. "Is it my turn to pick the blessing?" he said excitedly! I grinned and nodded. I didn't think it was necessary to remind him that it was just the two of us. Benjamin is at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Frances was at ballet with Ken.
After dinner we went to the grocery store and he got to pick out all three cereals. He was so excited! He's been upset with me for going grocery shopping without him. I usually go on Sundays when he and Frances are in Sunday School. It's an odd hour when I don't have another good option.
I truly enjoy parenting one at a time. It sounds obvious that it's easier, but it really is. Not just because they don't fight, either. When I've just got one at home, I get the chance to really engage. No one has to take turns trying to be heard. I listen carefully to the whole story because I'm not distracted by two other people trying to talk at the same time.
I am fortunate that I have relief in my parenting. It may not always come as often as I'd like, but it does come. And sometimes I get a turn to be by myself as well.

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Five Minute Friday: Leave

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on leave...

GO

"Leave Mommy alone for a minute, guys!"
"Let's go! It's time to leave!"
"I don't wanna leave Grandma's house!!"

It seems like there always some trauma associated with the word leave. It's so final. The End. Over. Finishing things does seem to have some modicum of loss to it. It's the end of something familiar, and consequently the beginning of something else unknown.

But then that finality does need to be given some perspective. Maybe Mommy needs to be left alone because she's finishing up a surprise for dinner. Maybe when it's time to leave, we're going somewhere fun. Leaving Grandma's house is never fun for the kids. To be honest, I cry when I drive away too. But I am thankful for the time my kids get to spend with my parents. It's significantly more time than I got to spend with my own grandparents.

The puzzle of leaving is that we have to do that to move on to better things. Life is not meant to be stagnant. There's no growth; no discovery; no learning in that.

This morning they had to leave me alone so I could finish my Wyldstyle costume!

Five Minute Friday: Dare

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on dare...

GO
This is take four on a word that doesn't seem to speak to me. I think of the childhood game of "truth or dare" or Frances' D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education) classes at school. She's got a book called "The Daring Girls' Book" full of ideas for how to decorate her bedroom or play with electricity to discover how it works.

None of those things seem particularly daring to me. What is daring? My mom leaving Alaska to move to Afghanistan with the Peace Corps. My dad leaving his childhood home to do the same. My friend Randi moving to a new state to work with a team of missionaries. Those are big daring things to me.

What do I dare to do? I don't know of anything particularly challenging. I wake up each morning and go to work. I drive kids around to ballet, soccer, and violin lessons. I teach 4 year olds in Sunday School. Maybe my life isn't meant to be daring. Or maybe I haven't gotten there yet.

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Five Minute Friday: Long

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on long...

GO
 
I had lunch with a friend yesterday. I was nothing fancy: peanut butter sandwiches and leftovers; eaten at the table outside by the parking lot. Regardless of the surroundings, it was nice to sit and chat while we ate. It's been a long time since I had take the time to do something like that.

I took my lunch right at noon, so that when I came back to my office at 1, I had three and a half hours to go before my day was over. The second half of the day always seems to drag by. I typically take my lunch as late as possible so that the end of the day doesn't seem to take so long.

My friend Katie is coming to visit us tonight. We haven't seen her for a long time. She moved to Florida a while back and the times that she's come home haven't matched up with times we've been available. She's Benjamin's godmother, and although he doesn't really remember her, he's very excited to see her because I told him she was coming to see him.

When I saw the word "long" this morning all three of these instances popped into my head. Things that haven't happened in a long time versus things that take too long. And in thinking about it more I see how relative time can be. The amount of time between 1 PM and 4:30 PM seems so long each afternoon, especially on Fridays. Compare it to the time since I've had lunch with a colleague, or seen and long-lost friend and it really is just a blink.  

It's all about the perspective, isn't it?

Five Minute Friday: Care

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on care...

GO
The kids ate the last of my Turtles last night. I was a little bit sad to see them go, but I was also a little relieved because if they are gone, I won't eat them.

Ken bought the Turtles a few weeks ago. He didn't mention them, but I noticed them on the counter and asked him about them. He said he'd bought them for me since he knows I like Turtles. It's not a grand gesture, but it warms my heart. After 13 years I still feel a little giddy when he buys me surprise chocolates!

I don't get flowers that often. It's because I've commented before about how expensive they are. If I get flowers, they're grocery store daisies. Daisies are my favorite flowers anyway. I rarely get jewelry, again because of the cost. When I do, it has a special meaning. Like the lace earrings I got for our anniversary that were made out of green, recycled bicycle tires. He incorporated my favorite color, the traditional gift for the 13th anniversary (lace) and a shout out to my new bike.

To the outside world, they don't seem like big gifts, but to me they are huge! He thinks about me when he's out running errands. He remembers my favorite flowers and my opposition to going broke on roses. The way he shows his care for me, in the little things, keep me secure that he's still just as much in love as they day we started. Maybe even a little bit more.

Five Minute Friday: New

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on new...

GO

Happy October! It seems like in many ways, this year has just flown by and here we are, already in October. The past few months have brought many changes along with them and it's just now that I feel like we are setting into our routine. We've learned a new routine for our mornings. Frances has started a new school. All three kids have new teachers. Benjamin is playing soccer for the first time and that's a new experience he's still not quite sure about.

Yet even with so many new things, many others still feel homey and familiar. We are in our same old house. School routines are familiar even if they are slightly different. Work has settled into a comfortable pace again.
I want to say that the more things change the more they stay the same, but that's not really quite it. I think the feeling I get is more of a comfortable, cared for feeling. I know that whether things are new and exciting, or new and different, the foundation is still the same and there are always certain truths that I can always cling to. Even though he "makes all things new," Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

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Five Minute Friday: Because

Five Minute Friday has a new home! Come check it out and join in on the free-writing fun!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Five minutes on because...

GO

Why? Because I said so!
Why? Because that's what happens.
Why? I don't know!
We've outgrown the toddler stage with it's endless supply of "why" questions, but I still here it pretty often around my house. I have curious, ready to learn children and that's a great thing, but it does get annoying on occasion!
The questions used to be fairly easy. They could either be answered easily or brushed off. Questions like, "Why is the sky blue?" can be satisfied with "Because that's how God made it!" Where questions like, "Why do I have to go to bed?" require something more obvious like, "Because it's bed time."
As my kids have gotten older, the questions have gotten more difficult. "Why can't I wear these shorts?" "Why does so-and-so not want to talk to me at school?" "Why are those bad people hurting kids in Iraq?"

I don't have all those answers. I can't explain everything the way they expect me to be able to. Many of these things I don't understand myself.
I hope we can all take comfort in the master plan. Even if we don't have answers, we can ask for faith. We can at least be aware that He is in control of it all.

And then I want to ask, Why are there 16 pictures of Ben's pants on my phone!?

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