It’s Friday, and I’ve thought a lot about the community over at Lisa Jo’s this week. I missed last Friday, just had no energy to write and I really missed y’all. So this week I was thinking what this community means to me and lo and behold the word prompt was join.
So here you go, a tribute to the Five Minute Community over at The Gypsy Mama. If you haven’t joined, now is the time.
Five minutes, no over thinking, no editing, just let your soul free and words fly. Then link back and visit everyone else, you won’t be sorry.
This weeks prompt is JOIN
You are my girls. My circle of quiet, when the world stops and I sit with my soul and we share words and minutes and story. You open the page and type out your heart and I get that. I receive it like a gift and offer you mine.
And some weeks it’s messy and all is grace, and we gather and pour mercy over wounds and pain and doubt. We offer friendship, vowing to lift in prayer and sit still beside your hurting place, letting you know you are not alone.
And some weeks, it’s laughter bubbling up from the pit of our tired weeks and we shake our heads because we know Vaseline covered babies, and how one second distracted can mean hours of clean up and what gets out sharpie from cabinets anyways, and how fast they grow, reaching up from candle to candle a flicker on that birthday cake. And the mom lines, the corners where the wrinkles are beginning to form, or have formed or will are badges of a life lived with laughter because really isn’t it all easier when we can laugh?
And some weeks, it’s depth and wisdom. Revelation and relevance to that place and path we find ourselves on, and the words lift us up where we can see, not just our steps along the way but those so clearly ahead of us. And we link arms and walk together and we know community.
And some weeks, it’s gibberish, and the five minutes come and go and we feel that nothing relevant written. No profound depth probed or encouragement tapped into and we wonder if the link is worth it. Our voice, our story. We wonder if we should even bother.
And that is when I love you most. Because you showed up, and linked up, and joined in and I say that is always the first step to being the real. And we all need real.
You are my community, my five minutes every Friday. You are the voices I look for throughout the week and the ones who join me in this blogging adventure. Because it’s so much better with friends, and you gals, you make it worth every second.
you must be at our mums group too! i love how no matter how we are different we can join together! love what you’ve shared and i felt like i was right there too! and so agree how important it is to be real, to not paint on the smile but to open our hearts and share our pain… i’ve found in our mums group someone with courage begins that and it paves the way for others of us to share where we’re at or to say, yes i’ve been there done that and survived. we walk together. so love what you’ve shared and it makes me feel so grateful for the circle of mums in my own life. blessings, claire
Claire recently posted..5 Minute Friday: JOIN
Claire, I am so glad you have that community in your life. I know it has made such a difference in mine to have kindred friendships who share in it all with me both online and in real life. What a blessed people we are who can come together and be one body. Also, loved your marriage post. I think that’s the most amazing joining we know in our lives.
I marvel how you just cover it all in 5 minutes – I am most often the one with the gibberish or even a mild rant. I think the short time does that to me. This truly is a great place to get to know others when you have to rush your words out the door with no makeup on and still wearing the workout pants from breakfast and what is that stuck in my hair. Those are the real us. I love the real us!
Amy Tilson recently posted..Join Me Tomorrow
Thanks Amy, We all have weeks like that. I think that’s what makes this such a special place. It doesn’t matter if some of our posts seem less than or perfectly eloquent. I know that sometimes 5 minutes is all the time I need and other times, nothing comes at all, just random musings and I hit publish anyway because we all need to be able to show up in workout pants and no makeup (love that.) And I love the real us too!!! Heart is overflowing today from all the love and encouragement here.
Yes. to all of this.
Just….amen.
You see right through me, girl. And that is a beautiful thing.
Nikki recently posted..Join ~ Five Minute Friday {Guest Post}
Thanks Nikki, Blessed by you and your heart for community and encouragement. You are a blessing in this place.
I’m with Amy…
) And I’m with you…in awe of a wonderful community. I love your post.
Dana Pittman recently posted..Hug Anyone?
Thanks Dana. I am so glad you are a part of it. Hugs.
Can I just tell you how much I heart you today friend. Your words…made me smile big from deep deep down. This is what I have been looking for…true fellowship that I never thought I would find in just five minutes on Fridays. Thank you as always for sharing words that speak to my heart . Blessings!
Thanks Wendy. It is such a blessing isn’t it? I am so glad you found it and in only 5 minutes! You can’t beat that. Thanks for visiting here and being part of my blessing. Love having you.
I’m new here and am looking forward to getting to know everyone as you do. What a blessing the group has been to so many people.
Ro Paxman recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Join
So glad you took the plunge and joined in. It is a great group and I’m sure you’ll find it’s great practice for writing and finding community. So welcome! I’ll look out for you next week.
I think I might be speechless, and that is no small feat, friend. So so eloquent and so the sentiments of this precious group of bloggers in this community. Friday’s rock. And its so very nice to meet you. Just started following you on twitter today. See you next Friday?
Elizabeth, wynnegraceappears recently posted..When One Plus One Equals One
Ha, not speechless much huh? I am honored that I sucked the words right out, lol. Thanks for the follow, and yes, next Friday, I’ll be there. Nice to meet you as well. I’m loving all the new faces each week. So much fun.
I tried to comment on your blog but I didn’t see it appear. Not sure what happened there but this is what I was going to say. “Wow, I love the mystery that is marriage. Just celebrated our 14th this past year and I am still in awe of all God\’s work and the oneness that happens in the midst of it all. What a blessing it is to see 23 years and going strong. No small feat in today\’s world. Blessings to you.”
Wow. What an awesome post. I loved “And some weeks, it’s gibberish, and the five minutes come and go and we feel that nothing relevant written. No profound depth probed or encouragement tapped into and we wonder if the link is worth it. Our voice, our story. We wonder if we should even bother.” Very profound. Very good.
susan recently posted..Five Minute Friday – Join
Thanks Susan, that’s what it’s all about, just being a part of it instead of apart from it. We all have a place. So nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by here. See ya next Friday.
Oh Alia, you did it again! Me and my Vaseline covered girl, we salute you.
Lisa-Jo @lisajobaker recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Join
Ha, My now 3 yr old had a fascination with Vaseline. Not once, not twice, but three times he found it and covered himself head to toe and also had the inspiration to do the walls, his clothes, and the bathroom mats. Fun times, indeed. Not fun to try to get out of hair and eyelashes and carpet. He was like one of those poor birds trapped in an oil spill.
Seriously?! you got that all out in five minutes! I love this… Even if my weeks are mostly gibberish! Someday I’m gonna be like you!
Julie Anne recently posted..Five Minute Friday –Join
Thanks Julie Anne, some weeks are better than others as my archives will testify to. LOL. And you are perfect just as you are. Really, loved your words today and the conviction to get in the fray and join my kids when I’d rather watch from the sidelines. Did you get any good shots of your kids today? Can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up on your blog.
I love the this….beautiful…and SO true!
Thankful for 5 minute Fridays and friendships made with those that join in!
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/
Mary recently posted..5 Minute Friday…
Me too. It’s been such a blessing being welcomed in and now in welcoming newbies. What a warm and gracious community blogging has turned out to be. Thanks Mary.
Oh my. This last bit is SO how I’ve been feeling lately. Thanks for using your gift today to encourage. It worked.
Stacie recently posted..Cooler Than Me {A Five Minute Friday Post}
Glad you were encouraged today, Stacie. You are just too cool.
Yay Alia! Just beautiful…what a poignant and moving writer you are! I just love this! Thank you.
Jacque @ Mercy Found Me recently posted..We All Need A Community to Call Our Own {Somewhere to Belong}
Thanks Jacque, that means so much to me. Love being a part of community with you.
“…and that’s when I love you most…”
How beautiful and comforting is that….to know this community is a place where even if our writing is just a jumbled ball of words strewned together haphazardly….there are women who say…I’m here with you!
And real it is….real it is….
Lindsey van Niekerk recently posted..Five Minute Friday :: Join
P.S. Thanks for stopping by my space….
Lindsey van Niekerk recently posted..Five Minute Friday :: Join
No problem. I do love reading your blog, I just never seem to have time to read blogs as much as I’d like.
Oh, Alia…this is beautiful. Seriously!! Thank you for stopping by my place. I am going to be at Allume too…I hope to meet you in person!
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/
Mary recently posted..5 Minute Friday…
Thanks Mary! Yay! Allume is going to be amazing. I can’t believe how fast time is flying. We’ll meet for sure! I’ve got a list of people I am going to track down so I can hug! Added you to the list.