Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We finger paint with words. We try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
Want to play Five Minute Friday? It’s easy peasy! (<–-Tweet this!)
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back to Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.
3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.
OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:
:
Loud…
Go.
My autocorrect was replacing all of my words with incomprehensible ones that made me sound like an idiot. My concentration was fixated on the little screen and each swipe and tap of my index finger only served to further mess up my text message. With my mind so fixated on exchanging witty banter, I was once again distracted from what was happening around me. I heard the noise, high pitched and constant , and I found myself automatically shushing it’s source, my 7 year old daughter. I finish the text, pressed send, waited for the phone to vibrate with a reply.
My eyes broke momentarily from my trance to catch Kaia’s face crumbling. Her lower lip quivered and her eyes filled with tears, just waiting to spill down her cheeks. What? Had she hurt herself, sitting there on my bed? What just happened?
“Mommy, I was singing you my favorite song. You usually love, Be Thou My Vision,” she whispers and the tears break free as does my heart. Because I do. I do love when she sings to me, when her face beams with pleasure as her little voice rises and falls, as she stumbles over the words in the verses and closes her eyes. All I heard was noise in the background, not worship. I completely failed to hear the offering of my little girl and thus I rejected it.
How many times will I fail these little souls? How many times will my distraction speak louder than my love? What do they hear when mommy’s face is hidden behind her keyboard, behind her phone, behind her to do list?
I talk about how I want my kids to know they’re valued. Loved. Treasured. But talking and speaking are not necessarily the same. I talk with my words, my ideals, my hopes for their hearts. But I speak with my actions, with my shushes, my not now honey mommy’s busy, with my just a minute while I finish up on Facebook. I don’t want my heart to be lost by the noise my actions speak. I don’t want my life to get too loud to hear their hearts.
Stop. Ok, now go link up and see what the others did with their 5 minutes.
LOVE it. “I don’t want my life to get to loud to hear the words” Especially finishing up on FB or blog!!!! Now, I ‘m convicted and getting off for the night. Thank you
Shanda, yes, I can get busy and distracted so easily, especially with trying to get a blog going. I am working to set boundaries for myself but with kids that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, they just need to be heard right then. Thanks for stopping by here and I hope to see you again… when you’re back online that is.
You shared this story beautifully… and poignantly… thank you for this, for it is also my heart and serves as a wonderful reminder that the struggles are real but can be overcome because these precious lives that we have the privilege of raising as followers and lovers of Christ… are what is most important…
Blessings to you…
Michele-Lyn recently posted..LOUD {5 Minute Friday}
Michele-Lyn, Thanks, I just got done with a series of letters to my daughter on how special she is and this really convicted my heart that it’s not just in my words and intentions, it has to be in my actions. Preaching it to myself.
Thanks for stopping by.
oh, do i feel myself here in your words. Yes. To hear life around us, instead of being connected to the “noise”… great thoughts!!
Tara // Pohlkotte Press recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Tossing My Pebble Into The Sea Of Dreams
Thanks Tara, I’m glad you stopped by.
Oh, wow. Yes. Thank you. I know those tears. That crumpled chin. Thank you, Alia. You relate this scene so powerfully. I needed this reminder. Oh, how I must always surrender to love and not push my own agenda. Bless you.
Jennifer recently posted..Loud
Jennifer, I think it’s so easy to get caught up with how busy we are. I know I find myself in this place often, too often. Thanks so much for stopping by here. I love your blog and the stories you tell there.
Why is it that they never seem to fight during our occupied moments, and worship/praise/do everything pleasant during our freer times, when they have our undivided attention?? Thanks for sharing this piece of reality. It happens here a bit too often. Keep on listening for your children’s hearts.
Sabrina recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Loud
Sabrina, my kids manage to do both.
I think that’s why I tune them out so easily sometimes. It is usually the worst when I’m trying to make an important phone call. They will suddenly maim themselves or start a mini war between themselves and come screaming to me. LOL
Oh, you sweet beautiful mama heart you! Yes, I stand convicted. I’ve done such similar things. Be Thou My Vision!?! That’s just too precious for words. Please get that one video before she gets any bigger. Bless you for your sweet tenderness. We mamas on the other side of screen take your words to heart. {HUGS}
Denise, Yes, Be Thou My Vision has been her favorite since she was about 4. She used to hate all the kids/Sunday school songs but she loved hymns and I have video taped it. She got so many of the words wrong when she was little it was adorable. I’m glad you were convicted also, believe me, I am preaching to myself. Thanks so much for your sweet words.
If you’re gonna bring it like that for five minutes on Friday. I’m taking cover. Ow. Right. to. the. heart.
Love it.
Maggie S. recently posted..Because You Are Worth It
Maggie, Thanks sweet lady. You bless me. If you’re taking cover, I need it too, believe me.
I loved this! Your words are so true! I have four kids and it isn’t just things like chores and the computor. I often find the kids jockying for my attention. It is so hard sometimes. Though one might feel theirs is more important, the one that had my attention first feels jilted if I have to switch. Life is a balance.
Kim Jones recently posted..Are You LOUD enough?
Kim, I know it gets harder to give individual attention to each child when they need it, the more you have. I have three and the two oldest both need alone time to talk and connect while the youngest needs a lot of hands on time. And then there are things that simply must get done. Life is indeed a balance. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings to you and your four.
Oh, you are speaking to my heart loud and clear!
Striving to keep my priorities in check today. And tomorrow…and the next.
Thank you for sharing that tender moment with us.
Powerful words you can shed in 5 minutes!
So blessed by you today. thank you!
All for Him,
Nikki
Nikki recently posted..Loud and Proud ~ Five Minute Friday
Nikki, I am so glad that you were blessed. It’s so hard to prioritize sometimes but you are right, we need to do it. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your encouragement.
So glad you shared that! What a good reminder (and convicting – ouch!)!
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates recently posted..DaySpring ~ Perfectly Loved {Review & Giveaway}
Thanks Lisa. Yes, ouch.