So on Fridays, we take the dare to become Word Artists. To throw editing and proof reading and critically raised eyebrows out the window. We finger paint with our words – in pink and blue and dark purple. In glitter glue and bright green.
Just five minutes. No more. No less.
Come play word art with us, why don’t you. It’s easy. Lisa-Jo is over on (in) courage this morning with todays prompt.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word on the prompt, “Still.”
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement in the comments of the five minuter who linked up before you.
When you’re ready give us your best unedited, post on the prompt …
STILL … Go…
” He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; …
Still
Which is easy in good times … and maybe even after the trials. But day to day I know that I forget to be still … I sometimes forget to be still.
“The Lord will fight for me and I will keep my peace.” Exodus 14:14
Sometimes I forget to be still in the fight of this life.
I love it when life is at ease and pleasant and still.
I remember wanting the time when the boys would talk and walk, thinking life would somehow become easier to decipher. I was alone with two of the greatest little guys on the planet! I wanted them to talk and be independent. And then somewhere in my singleparenthood I expected them to be more mature and independent…
I now wish I had been still … that time had been still…because it wasn’t and it isn’t and these guys are adults now and life is not easier.
There is a place I have found where I am still. In my spirit there is a meeting where I am able to stop time and recoup the day and seek solutions for the life that is doing everything but being still.
Prayer … Praise … Worship
God has guided me to prayer. I surrender in prayer … I commune with God where immediately waves of life, crashing around me are incapable of pulling me under and drowning out …
His STILL small voice. Under the wings of the Almighty where things are still and quiet and safe….
STOP!
Paddling to the Still
“Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the I Am that is deeper than name and form.” Eckhart Tolle
Crash
“Uncontrolled, the hunger and thirst after God may become an obstacle, cutting off the soul from what it desires. If a man would travel far along the mystic road, he must learn to desire God intensely but in stillness, passively and yet with all his heart and mind and strength.”Aldous Huxley
Be(ing) Still
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” Hermann Hesse
Prayer
“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.”Amy Carmichael
Mentions after the Five!
The surfer in these photos from last summer is one of my dearest friends,mentorm the assistant pastor of my church. and lead singer and leader of our Worship Band! She is the mother of 6 children and grandmother to 2 (yes, in these pics!). She is an incredible person and her ability to be STILL is amazing and I have spent the last 10 years aspiring and learning from this incredible lady. She has taught me so much about God and Prayer and Leadership and yes … STILLNESS. I love her deeply, much more than she knows, she sometimes takes me to God,when I can’t find Him, where He saves my life again.
These pics were taken on LBI in New Jersey … where I believe she is surfing at this very moment. She once told me the most beautiful experience she had with God was on the Atlantic Ocean …. much like you see in the first photo … and it began to rain. She said the music of the rain on the water was the most beautiful music and the most peaceful sensation she has ever enjoyed.
I try to imagine that … and my heart aches to know that kind of Stillness in God.
* quotes inserted after the five minutes…however they were found before the writing began.
Blessings Loves
♥
One Page at a Time. 
July 29, 2011 at 9:39 am
This is a challenge and an encouragement to me… on several levels. THank you!
July 29, 2011 at 10:11 am
beautiful. the words, the surf!
and i hope to learn, too, that stillness now will make for less regrets later.
July 29, 2011 at 11:55 am
What a great post! Thank you so much for these words – and the pictures are great. My husband is a surfer (we’re on the west coast, though!) and he definitely finds stillness out there.
July 30, 2011 at 12:01 am
I enjoyed reading this! I enjoy reading those reminders to stay in the moment when it comes to our children. Thank you for this!
July 30, 2011 at 1:48 am
The ocean is never still: yet to me I find stillness there. I love it.
July 30, 2011 at 5:01 am
The photo’s are stunning. Thank you for sharing your experiences. It’s always good to learn from an experienced mom. Sometimes it can be all to easy to wish the days away faster… But you are so right, every moment is a gift and must be cherished as such. We only get to live these moments once after all 🙂
God Bless and thank you for leaving a comment at my site so I could find your lovely blog!