It’s Five Minute Friday time! Time to get your writing groove on, link up, and encourage others along the way! (And psst … If you don’t know what Five Minute Friday is, you can find out right over here. In a nutshell, it’s the greatest online community in the history of the internet, if I do say so myself … But you’ll just have to join in and find out for yourself!)
This week’s prompt is:
[Tweet “Join us for Five Minute Friday on the prompt TURN. Link-up at katemotaung.com”]
Ready? GO.
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I glance at my watch and then at the growing queue for security check before hugging my goodbyes. Yesterday I didn’t think we’d be here today, but here we are, bags packed with my black funeral dress folded on top. I blink back tears and will my eyes to smile through them as I wave one more time, and turn away. After clearing security, the others in the sea of people floating past me will turn back and wave again, and smile, and wave. But I’m not one of them. I muster up whatever strength remains, and walk forward, chin up in defiance of the tears.
I pass through passport control and make my way to the boarding gate, and there You are — waiting for me, milling about between occupied chairs. You find me there, and Your presence calms my restless heart. In fits and starts Your soft voice comforts me, and You hold me with your words in a moment that would’ve otherwise been deemed unbearable. You wait with me until it’s time to board, and I sit down on the plane with a satisfied smile, because You showed up. And You remind me that even as the leaves turn to brilliant crimsons and golds before they fall, so there is beauty even in death.
STOP.
Updated to add: After this post was published and I read a few initial comments, I thought I should add that this piece reflects an experience that occurred over three years ago. I realize now that the verb tense chosen caused some confusion — my apologies! But thank you to all who have expressed such care and concern! It is much appreciated.
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It’s your turn! Show us your best five minutes on the word TURN in the link-up below, then visit the blog of the person who linked up before you, and give them some comment love!
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I am so sorry that you are in the valley of the shadow. Praying that you continue to find His peace in amazing and unexpected ways.
Dear Kate … in your loss, may you find His comfort at every turn. And discover a healing touch every time you write words from deep within your heart.
Hugs.
Such a poignant post Kate. Saying a prayer for you.
Kate – I am so just almost without words myself as I read this tonight. You experienced His presence at such a lonely moment…in a place I can somewhat relate to. When my grandma passed away in July 2011, I flew back to attend her funeral. She was like a mom to me. Your post brought me back to the lonely moments I spent at the airport. At the time, I felt no peace. Yet, tonight, for the first time I now see God’s fingerprints there in that moment that I missed years earlier. I would have never thought about this without reading your deep words friend. Thank you. Praying for you.
Bethany, I wondered why the Lord impressed this story upon my heart, as it took place three years ago. After reading your comment, I think maybe He had me write it just for you.
It’s a shared human experience…but it’s heartbreaking, and while I’m glad His comfort was there, I’m sorry youi had to experience the loss.
It put me in mind of a place far away, and a time long ago, in which I had to collect and bury a teammate – by ‘collect’, I mean the bits that I could find, as he had an 82mm mortar round go off between his feet.
After sorting the mortar crew, I made sure my brother had as decent a burial as I could give him, with time and security restrictions.
It was an oddly lyrical interlude. I sang to him as I worked, and felt a chorus somewhere over my left shoulder, carrying the tune. I was anything but alone.
It’s something of which I dream often, but it’s not a bad dream. Instead it’s a wistful parting, with the knowledge that the roads will one day angle together again.
Both the initial post by Kate and your response has me in tears. That you could sing is so amazing. Touched beyond words right now.
It was a lullaby.
Kate, what a beautiful way of being comforted that only God can provide! Even if it has been over three years, I’m sure that God still is there when you need Him when you reflect upon that time.
There is a season for all of life’s events. I’m glad you were able to find Him in that dark and lonely moment.
Kate – you always do such a great job slowing down the moment and making your reader feel the feels. And this line says it all about how we receive His grace during hard times: “In fits and starts Your soft voice comforts me, and You hold me with your words in a moment that would’ve otherwise been deemed unbearable. ” Beautifully written! Thanks fro sharing your gift and your space with us~
Turn.
1..2..3..Go!
Fall has reached the South. My beautiful homeplace with the open meadows and gently sloping hills is touched here and there with a colorful poplar in resplendent orange and yellow or a Japanese maple getting ready to turn a deep, alluring red. I walked down our gravel lane and reveled in the turning of the leaves and the beauty all around me. It hadn’t gotten chilly yet, and I enjoyed strolling along in my flip flops and short sleeves still. Amazing the change that the seasons bring! Even more amazing the change I see in my heart that the Wonderful Creator has worked there! And how has it come? Bit by bit, slowly by slowly, it has happened. The old man with his old desires has given way to the new man with his new nature. I am in Christ and Christ is working on me making me more and more into His image and likeness. How amazing! What color He has brought to my life. He has caused my heart to turn to Him and I am deeply grateful and indebted to Him. LORD, keep on turning me to Thee, keep turning my heart into a beautiful Masterpiece for Thy use, for Thy glory. As I revel in the turning of the fall leaves, I pray that I will be a creation that my LORD will be pleased with and enjoy for His Name’s Sake.
End.