Welcome to Five Minute Friday! Two weeks ago, Lisa-Jo Baker announced that she would be handing over this community, after she founded Five Minute Friday and hosted every week for the past four years! Last week, I shared a bit of an introduction leading up to this week, and now here we are! My first time hosting the amazing writers of Five Minute Friday. I’m so glad you’re here!
If you’re new here or haven’t participated before, here’s how it works:
Every Thursday a one-word prompt will be announced here on my blog at 10pm EST (and continuing through Friday).
Oh, and before the prompt is revealed, many of us like to connect on Thursday evenings on Twitter at the hashtag #fmfparty. Come join us and chat all things writing, chocolate and cupcakes!
Those who’d like to participate in Five Minute Friday will write for five minutes on the topic of the week, post it on their own blog and link up the post here (via the InLinkz button at the bottom of the post). Make sure you add the actual permalink to your specific post, and not your blog’s homepage (e.g. https://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/ and not just katemotaung.com).
If you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to post your five minutes of writing in the comments here each week, or on the Five Minute Friday Facebook page.
This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.
Just write.
Also, the most important rule is that you visit the blog of the person who linked up before you and leave some encouragement. That’s the most fun of all, and the heart of this community.
Also, feel free to grab the new button in the sidebar to use on your own sites so others will come write with us, too!
One more thing: I’ll be choosing one post each week to feature in the sidebar of my blog the following week, as our Featured Five Minute Friday. Be sure to check it out!
Okay … let’s get writing!
This week’s prompt is:
Ready?
GO.
***
She left her shoes behind.
I tried them on, and I felt small.
Something didn’t feel quite right. I was afraid someone might see me wearing them and say, “Hey, those aren’t yours!” and ask, “Why are you wearing her shoes?”
And besides, she left the imprint of her soul on the insoles, so I slip them off, and decide rather to set them reverently next to the door.
The door she left open on purpose so I could follow. So you could follow.
And it feels right to stand barefoot, for this is holy ground.
And I know she’s running barefoot and carefree now, sand under her feet, daring the waves to crash hard enough to lick her toes, and she laughs and rests easy. She’s glancing behind to see if we’re going to follow, but her heart already knows that we will.
Maybe not wearing her shoes, but we look at them as we pass through the threshold of the open door, and we remember how she taught us to walk. How she taught us to run with abandon, to cast off the chains bound around our swollen ankles, to skip through the orchards of cherry blossoms and spin on this hallowed patch of earth.
So we step through and see the gap ahead, the crevice between here and there, and we kneel. Together. And plank by plank, word by word, we build the bridge.
STOP.
***
These are the words that came to me as I thought long and hard about the fact that I’ll never be able to fill Lisa-Jo’s shoes. And maybe I’m not supposed to. To be honest, nobody can. She’s one of a kind, and through her dedication to Five Minute Friday these past four years, she has impacted more lives than any of us will ever know.
So it’s not my intention to try to fill her shoes, for they’re not mine to fill. And really, we’re not here to talk about who is or isn’t trying to fill whose shoes — we’re here to remind each other of the feet of Him whose sandals we’re not worthy to untie. May He be the One to fill this place with His presence, where two or three are gathered in His name.
Lisa-Jo has laid the foundation for the bridge, labored underwater for 200 weeks making sure the pillars were dug deep and firm, ready for us to finish the job.
So I invite you to join the construction, because we need you. We need the bricks of your story to build the bridge all the way across to the other side.
***
Photo credit: donaldmctim, Flickr Creative Commons
It’s your turn! Add your link via the inLinkz button below:
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Do you know how beautiful this is? I can’t express how much I love it, and the bit about NOT filling shoes. This is a new journey, one which will fit differently but grow vibrantly. I’ve felt so blessed by you already, dear, and I really look forward to spinning and dancing with you and this wild, crazy, wonderful community!
LOVE the “imprint of her soul on her insoles”. And what a gorgeous and fitting tribute. Joy all round, my friend. I am so happy for you, so proud of you!!!!
Beautiful, Kate! I want to be part of the bricks to build the bridge to the other side. Your words so perfectly reflect who you are and your willingness to sustain this wonderful community. Thank you and blessings!
Such wisdom here, to set the shoes aside and recognize that this is a new work built on that which was done before it. We’re rallying around you and with you as we continue the beauty of the #fmfparty community.
Oh. my. word. Such beautiful words and sentiment here, Kate. You are right that no one can fill anyone else’s shoes. The good news is that we don’t have to! We get to be exactly who God made us to be. He will handle all the rest. So good to be here with you, friend!
Such a beautiful post, Kate. Thank you for stepping into this role. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.
Love this leading here Kate – and your words. I’d be terrified at the thought of trying to fill shoes – but the idea of building bridges and following footsteps – that I can truly do. Arm in arm with you and the beautiful members of this community who remind me on a daily basis of what it means to live out the real, unfiltered life that He has called us to. Blessings and grace for your weekend!
This was just such a lovely tribute and perspective on this new start. We are following with you Kate.
I am filled with fear – she is suffering and I cannot take away her worry or her pain. She struggles to understand what cancer means – she’s only 4 and can’t quite comprehend what chemo or death is nor how it will effect her in the coming year.
Nana is her light, her daily joy and yet she doesn’t understand how she has been FILLED with love, hope and grace.
Oh Shannon, I’m so very sorry for this trial you’ve been called to endure. Just to clarify, is it the 4-year-old who has cancer, or the Nana? Praying for God’s sufficient grace to fill you and all those involved ..
Shannon, my prayers are with you. May God give you the words you need each step of the way.
This right here? This post? These words? Your heart? That is why LJ felt so confident in handing this Community over to you! LOVE this! Let’s do this bridge building thing!
I don’t know you very well yet, but I’m hoping to. I really like you and your words, Kate, and am so confident in the door LJ left her shoes by. Thanks for leaving it open for all of us.
Well, I was going to write exactly what Anna has said so beautifully, so I will simply echo it because my words would just be a jumble of “thanks.”
🙂
So thankful you aren’t trying to fill impossible-to-fill shoes! And so looking forward to see what adventures this change brings. Blessings, Kate!
Tears! This is beautiful. No, you will not fill her shoes. But be assured we will follow. Looking forward to getting to know you Kate!
people never leave their shoes behind do they? they take them with them and leave foot prints to follow…even if they aren’t the same size or print, right? you are following the same path, running the same life course even if your leg looks different. I loved your writing! thanks for being willing to host
And as for me? I can’t wait to see where you will lead us Kate. Can’t wait. Baie dankie vir die ongelooflike pragtige pos. ek het nie eers woorde nie. Net so dankbaar vir jou!
Haha, that Afrikaans stunt of yours landed you in the Spam folder for almost 24 hours! 😉 Dit is ‘n groot plesier, vriend. Baie, baie dankie vir alles.
I don’t know that we are ever to “fill someone’s shoes”. In thinking about it this morning, I realized, we would lose our individuality, becoming something God never intended. So grateful you have decided to slip them off & wear your own. Reminds me of David as Saul tried to make him wear his armor 🙂 Be you, Kate. Follow His lead & we will follow. Blessings!
Hi Kate. Thank you for picking up the mantle. I would have really missed this community. And your words are beautifully written.
Kate, this is so well said. I love the illustration of setting aside the shoes. Just this morning I read a quote that said, “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” I don’t think anyone wants to you BE Lisa-Jo, but to bring your own style to Five Minute Friday.
Amen to this, Kate, “May He be the One to fill this place with His presence, where two or three are gathered in His name.” Yes, may He be the One to fill this place. Love you and your words and your heart. Can’t think of a better place to keep this beautiful journey going…xoxo, mb
So grateful for your ongoing encouragement, Meredith .. xx
Absolutely beautiful!
Hi, praying that God fills you with confidence and love as you move forward as our leader and new friend of Five Minute Fridays. I am so glad you stepped up. 🙂
Hey Kate
I found FMF only 6 weeks ago, and have enjoyed the freedom it brings. For me – I dont want you to fill LIsa Jo’s shoes – because you are so unique and so individual and you have something new to bring which I am excited about. I pray that you will be all you can be for Gods mission for you! Many blessings!
Welcome, Aliyah! So glad you’re here!
I took a very long break from Five Minute Friday and I came back last week. Just in time to say goodbye in one place and hello in another. Thank you for carrying on with this linkup and format. I look forward to seeing your words.
FILL
How do I FILL the empty space? The painful,hurting,empty space deep down inside of me.
Others have answers…prayer,scripture,God,serving others,friendship,family,projects…the list goes on.
I try. Some of the space fills a little but mostly it’s just time that is filled…for awhile.
The empty space can’t really be filled. Doesn’t everyone have an empty space that can’t be filled?
A space that can’t be filled on this earth.
A child belongs in my empty space. Gone, but not in a good way – not with Jesus – but estranged like the prodigal son in the Bible, before he came home.
Hope fills some of the space…for a while,but not completely. Hope massages the empty space. A good massage brings relief to aching places. For a little while – but I must keep coming back. And God, in his goodness, gives more.
But no matter what I do that space is still there. I can’t fill it because it needs to be there until it can be properly filled.
I’m learning to deal with the empty space. To let it be there. To acknowledge it. To feel it. To cherish it. To look beyond it. And even to let the emptiness spill over.
I guess that’s a different kind of FILL.
Thank you so much for sharing your words here, Karen. Your emotions are so vividly articulated. May the God of all comfort be your source of comfort and strength during this ongoing and tiresome challenge, and may He bring your prodigal Home.
I remember when I first started teaching preschool. I was taking over for the original teacher who had started it all. I felt like it was an impossible task to try to fill her shoes, and in the beginning people expected me to try. But the thing was, as I grew more comfortable and taught in the way God enabled me to, the realization that I didn’t have to try to be as awesome as she was freed me. You have such an incredibly beautiful voice and God chose you for this season to lead this community for a purpose. And I don’t think any one of us expect you to try to fill any shoes but the ones He has handcrafted for you. I’m so glad to be able to get to know you a bit better!
I really appreciate these words, and your call to follow – into freedom, in community. That’s what I’ve found here at #fmfparty, and I’m looking forward to all we will become in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for your generous welcome on this blog. xRuth
Good words, Kate! I love the imagery of the shoes by the open door, and the building of the bridge with our stories, plank by plank.
I appreciate that you are not trying to fill Lisa-Jo’s shoes. I think it’s always better to be yourself – who God created you to be. We can certainly learn from others but in the end, you got to be you.
What a beautiful imagery of the pair of shoes and the door in your post!
Thank you for hosting this wonderful writing activity, Kate.
Today, I have written only a very short passage, but anyway I would like to be part of community as often as possible.
Dear Kate,
I am so thankful you had the courage and faith to step into the shoes that will mold themselves right into the purpose God has for you as you lead this tribe of hungry hearts to share compassion in community. That is why grace allows us to sift and turn through the days, loosely hanging on to the threads that bind and gently swaying towards the path ahead. So glad you stepped in and looking forward to the footprints you will make. You are filling a place that grace creates, thanks!
Blessings,
Dawn
Blessings, Katie! I’m relatively new to regular posting at FMF so I’m starting out fresh with you, too. You will fill those shoes admirably – in the uniqueness of who you are. Lisa Jo’s firm foundation is a legacy we all can steward together – keeping the vision and the faith and sharing it abroad – one five minute segment after another. Til He comes . . .
Joy!
Kathy
Lovely post and so true. Thank you for taking over FMF so we have a home to visit with one another, still.
Blessings.
Andrea
Just beautiful, Kate! I can’t wait to get to know *you* and see the imprint that you will leave on this community. Blessings!
Thank you Kate for taking the lead. I loved your post – it expressed what so many feel when they are asked to step in. To lead. To take over. Know that we are all rooting for you! And thanks for the Chuck Taylors – they made me feel so at home!
SO beautiful! And I love that image you used!
Love, Traci Michele from Ordinary Inspirations.
Here’s my post this week:
http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2014/08/five-minute-friday-fill.html
This was such a wonderful post. As I was reading it, I was thinking I wish I’d known someone like that as a child. This is my first fmf and I am grateful to you for filling the shoes I never knew were out there and to Lisa-Jo for starting all this! Most of all, thank you to God for filling me up when I was so broken – something I should have written about rather than the nonsense I actually wrote about! I’ll do better next time! 🙂