Hey there!
Welcome to another week of Five Minute Friday! Can’t believe this is already my eighth week hosting this precious community … Time flies when you’re having fun! And you guys just never cease to amaze me with your brave, beautiful writing week after week. I’m continually in awe over how the Lord can stir up so many avenues and ideas as we gather around a single word.
If you’re new here, all of the info is right over here … We’d *love* to have you join us!
AND … it’s almost October!
In case you missed the past two weeks of FMF, something big is about to happen over here, y’all ..
It’s called 31 Days.
Every year in the month of October, the Nester hosts a 31 Day Challenge in which bloggers worldwide post on their blogs every. single. day. For a whole month.
This year, I’m adding a little twist for all who’d like to join in … A bunch of us are doing 31 Days, but we’re planning to write all of our posts in just five minutes each.
That makes it sound better, right?
Just five minutes a day?
You can handle that. 🙂
I’ll even give you prompts, if you want.
If you want to play along, you can find more details (including prompts) over here.
AND there will be a separate link-up starting September 30th for everyone writing their 31 Days posts five minutes at a time. Click here to link up starting Tuesday!
To add to the excitement, I’ve got a little surprise tucked up my sleeve for you guys next Friday … you know, because October is gonna be a month long FMF Party up in this place … 😉
Before I forget, you might want to add your e-mail address in the sidebar on the right to get posts delivered directly to your inbox .. I don’t want you missing out on any of the 31 Days action!
But now, it’s time to write.
[Tweet “Write because you can. Write because you need to. Write because #wordsmatter”]
The word of the week is ..
***
On your mark, get set … GO.
I wore her ring this week.
The one with the sapphire featured in the center, with diamonds gathered like stars all around the midnight blue.
The one my dad gave her. The one she still wore long after he left.
I wore it this week to remember.
But before I put it on, I panicked for a moment.
I thought I had lost it.
The ring, that is — not my mind. This time.
I couldn’t even remember if I had brought it with me back across the ocean. That’s what happens when a life is spread thin like a layer of butter over a french loaf, cut into a bunch of pieces and shared at a global table.
But I found it, and I slipped it on. It still sparkles, the ring. From the top, no one would know that the gold band is broken underneath — cut through and left jagged and sharp. My sister had to cut it off my mom’s finger one day because of the side effects of the cancer.
But I wore it this week, to remember. And I know I could get it welded back together, but I prefer it the way it is — sharp, and cutting into the fleshy part of my finger, where the crease meets the palm.
It reminds me of her suffering. Of His suffering on the cross, even. It reminds me to pray for the circle to be made whole, for Jesus to return, for all things to be made new.
Because only through Christ can the broken be made whole.
STOP.
(Psst … Like that “Because” image above? Come back next Friday for an exciting surprise! It may or may not have something to do with the awesome new Words Matter Letterpress Blocks by (in)courage …) Why? Because #wordsmatter
Now it’s your turn! Link up your five minutes of brave below ..
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Because I said so that’s why! I have said that more often than I care to remember. Because that little girl would get into all kinds of trouble. And sometimes it was deserved and a lot of the time, well it was because her mom was so stressed out that she took it out on the little one. Yep, that what happens because you make a poor choice and then are afraid to walk away before you say “I DO”.
But I also know Because of God’s love and grace, this mom has grown into a whole different person. Because she had a praying momma who never stopped praying, never stopped loving no matter what. And she learned from her how to love and pray for that little one as she grew and became a mom of her own.
And Because God is so awesome, well the grandson was confirmed this year. Because GOD is good!
Stop
Love it! So glad you joined in, Mary!
This is so beautiful, and so real. Yes… and I love your illustration of butter spread too thinly. I get it!
Aw, thank you, Hannah! Bless you!
I am blessed enough to wear my mom’s and my Gran’s rings everyday….they fit perfectly.
Hugs to you my friend! I hope you are at Allume next month so I can hug you in real life. My first Allume (2011) was a month after my mom died…..We will remember together!
That is so special, Katey! And I *wish* I were going to be at Allume .. I hope you have a most *amazing* time!
I wear my grandmother’s wedding rings and a pearl ring that she always wore with them. I was the only granddaughter and used to play with her rings when I was a little girl. So she always wanted me to have them. Such sweet memories of a woman who loved me unconditionally.
So special, Holly!
What a thoughtful way to remember your mom–even in keeping the ring cut instead of welding it together.
You’re such a sweet, sweet soul, and I’m blessed to know you through #fmfparty. Praying for you this week, friend, as you remember.
This is so beautiful and so touching. I lost the diamond in my engagement ring just the week before my husband died. I look for it daily. But I still wear the thin gold band that his mother wore for 40 years before she got a new one. I love this thin gold band. It reminds me of a wonderful woman and the son she gave to me…..
Thank you, Kate! I needed this – the 5 minutes – the because – like a refreshing!
I’m so glad you found the ring – and that you have the memory of courage and love in it!
Lovely post. I’m so sorry you had to go through the loss of your mum. XX
I love your imagery of wearing the broken ring. It represents so many things and brings back so many types of memories. I can understand why you haven’t gotten it fixed.
Oh how I love your analogy of the beauty of the gems over the sharp, cutting metal parallels your mom’s graceful suffering. Such a profound illustration of how so many painful things in life are tucked between shiny, sparkly ones. Once again, your words strike a deep chord. Thanks for sharing your gift and your heart here.
Beautiful thoughts today on the circle of life…and the breaks in between. <3 you and your words of hope and healing, Kate.
Initially I thought the sharp cutting into the fleshy part was in reference to the Word of God, but after rereading your post, I understood.
I like that you will keep the ring the way it is because of it’s gentle reminder that there is beauty in brokenness.
Thank you for the link up and the five minute challenge!
Have a great weekend!
Kate, I haven’t gotten to comment yet but here I am! I am sorry about your mama…it was 12 years ago in May for me. In many ways we do adjust, but then, as we go through new & especially hard things, it stirs the grief. I missed my mom the most a year or so ago when I was at my lowest point overseas…but it is so good to walk it all with the pain and how it changes the contours of our story. Your mama would be & is so very, very proud of you. Oh, and I wear my mom’s engagement ring. She was buried in her wedding ring…I look down on the hard days and see her beloved hands 🙂
Thank you for sharing that glimpse into your story, Abby! I appreciate the kindness and you taking the time to comment .. Blessings to you!!
I needed to read this reminder that God uses our brokenness in ways that can be beautiful.
So glad it was an encouragement to you, Judith. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
I totally understand about wanting to keep and wear the ring “as is.”
I’m glad you have it because it helps keep the connection alive.
What a beautiful treasure that you have! Such a heart felt post.