Today’s Five Minute Friday prompt from Lisa Jo Baker is “Willing”. 5 Minutes of writing without any editing.

GO!

sledding

What are you willing to give? It’s the season of Lent, and from last year, when I first began understanding lent, it is heavy on my mind the reminder of how much of myself I have been withholding.

From those around me – my time has been scattered, distracted, disorganized, flying from one thing to the next, heading straight into a burnout. Healthy living is good, but not when it’s becoming unhealthy in the amount of time that’s being spent on it. But am I willing to give up some things so that I can redirect my time and focus where it needs to be?

From God – first thing in the morning, when my feet hit the floor, is my first thought of Him and my hunger for his truth? I’m afraid not, and I’m ashamed. Each morning is a new morning, a new opportunity for grace and mercy to fill. But am I willing to give up the agenda, the pull, the schedule for the day, so I can hear his voice?

Lent isn’t just about giving something up. It’s not just about removing a distraction, or temptation, changing something unhealthy into something healthy.

Lent is about giving fully and completely of oneself, one’s heart, one’s desires, one’s whole life, BACK to the One who created it in the first place.

So this Lent, what are YOU willing to give? Me. I’m going to give me back to those who love me. In my time with my husband, free of handheld devices in the evenings. In my time with my children during the day, buying the bread sometimes instead of spending the whole day making it, and staying off Facebook while my time is to be with them.

And in my time with the Lord. No distractions, no devices, nothing but the Word of the Lord. THIS ALONE will stand forever.

STOP

Five Minute Friday