Welcome to another round of Five Minute Friday!
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This week’s prompt is:
[Tweet “Come write with us! The Five Minute Friday prompt is: PRESENT”]
Ready? GO.
I had one of those “Aha!” moments this week. You know, those moments of enlightenment when something major that’s been right in front of your face the whole time just clicks, and suddenly you can see it.
It happened while I was homeschooling my kids on Monday morning. Not a typical “Aha!” time of the week, but that’s when it happened. The book was supposed to be for them, but really, it was for me.
We were reading about God’s name, and how when Moses asked God who he should say was sending him, God declared that His name is “I AM.” The book we were reading said most scholars agree that “I AM” means “The One Who is Always Present.”
That’s where the “Aha!” came in. Struck me right between the eyes, like a flash of lightning.
I’ve always known that God is always present, but think about how many times in Scripture He uses His presence as the answer to the fears of His people. How many times do we read, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, I will be with you. Do not be terrified, for I will be with you wherever you go.”
His presence is His promise.
His presence is the answer. The remedy to all our fears. We need not be afraid, for He is always present.
And it struck me on Monday morning while my eyes were still groggy and the weekend was still wearing off, that we can be like God by being present.
[Tweet “When we’re present for others, we represent the One who is always present.”]
When we’re present for others, we imitate our Lord.
We bear His name when we show up.
STOP.
[Tweet “Share five minutes of free writing on the word, PRESENT, here! #amwriting”]
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Well-said, Kate.
These days, God does not seem immanent…but I know that He’s still there. I may not feel it, but on that cusp of fear and reasoned faith…I find Him.
Kate, what a beautiful post. I take great comfort in knowing He is always present with me/us. I don’t always feel it. I guess that’s when trusting the truth of His word comes into play.
This week has shown me that, though I may not always be willingly present, God is. And this is the beauty in who He is. I’ve been present for my family, but (hanging my head a bit) sometimes it’s been begrudgingly. God convicted me of this tonight. 🙂
Thank goodness He can use us in spite of ourselves to be present in others’ lives. 🙂
Oh this is so beautiful. His presence is His promise. We can reflect Him to others when we’re present to Him. Wow, you’ve managed to say so much in very few words. Beautiful.
Kate, this is wonderful! Yes, God can use us regardless of how present we act. What a loving Father He is.
Lynette
~#9 this wk
Such reassurance and comfort in this: “The One Who is Always Present.” Love your words here. Last year, God used memory verses reminding me of His Presence to shield me from fear.
This year, He’s teaching me that His Presence is given room to move within me and pour out of me, as I let out myself to allow Him to pour Himself in. I’ve written about it in my Five Minute Friday post. I’ve been reading Isaiah and the Lord has opened my eyes to how he uses suffering to cut us down to birth new life in Him:
Isaiah 32: 15 – 20
Yes, weep and grieve until the Spirit is poured
down on us from above
And the badlands desert grows crops
and the fertile fields become forests.
Justice will move into the badlands desert.
Right will build a home in the fertile field.
And where there’s Right, there’ll be Peace
and the progeny of Right: quiet lives and endless trust.
My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood—
in safe houses, in quiet gardens.
The forest of your pride will be clear-cut,
the city showing off your power leveled.
But you will enjoy a blessed life,
planting well-watered fields and gardens,
with your farm animals grazing freely.
The Message (MSG)
Inspiring! I look forward to reading this weeks responses to the prompt.
Same here! I love seeing what comes out of each prompt. Such a variety! 🙂
Wow, that hit me square between the eyes too, the truth that by being present I am being like our Lord…
Same here! May we all seek to be present for others, and in so doing, be a blessing. Thanks for the comment!
Love this- His presence is the only thing we need – and it’s promised to us. And yes- when we have “aha” moments on a groggy Monday morning – we must take note. I’m so glad you did. Happy Friday! Take care of yourself…
Definitely worth taking note! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well, Karen!
Kate, I was blessed to read your post AFTER I had written mine. It spoke deeply to me that you also went back to Moses and God’s reassurance to him that He was with him, present. Grateful to be here this morning. Hope you are feeling better!
Thank you, Joanne! The rest really helped. 🙂 So glad you’re here!
Don’t you love aha moments. WHEN INFORMATION BECOMES REVELATION – love you post. I do pray for you Kate be over all these side effects. xo
Thank you, Susan! I am feeling better each day. Grateful for your prayers! xx
I don’t get to link here often, but am never disappointed when I do. Thank you for hosting and for your wise, thoughtful posts every Friday.
So glad you’re here this week, Joyce! Always a pleasure to have you with us! Hope to see you again soon.
Kate, this is beautiful. Why do I so easily fall into worry when God is ALWAYS present in our lives?! I need to daily remind myself of His promise that He is with me wherever I go. Thank you for sharing this revelation!
Amen! Same here, Amy. Same here.
Thank you for the reminder of the promise of his presence.
It’s a pleasure, Cathy! Hope you’re having a blessed week!
Kate! I am SO grateful for your blog! “His presence is His promise.” YES!! I just finished a post that I’ll be sharing as a guest on another blog next week and I talk about that! It’s one of the truths that I cling to — He is my prize! This is beautiful.
You are so sweet. Thank you for being here!
That happens to me a lot when I read books to my kids. Guess that means CS Lewis would think it’s a good book, eh? 😉
Definitely! 😉
kate, great post! i love this quote: “When we’re present for others, we imitate our Lord.
We bear His name when we show up.” it’s not always easy, but to put our personal agendas aside, but learning to be present as Jesus was/is for us? priceless! blessings sister:)
I think it’s a daily practice, isn’t it Martha? At least, it’s something I need to be reminded of on a daily basis. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Kate,
oh what a beautiful way of encouraging us to be present. That we would be like God. That we could impart Him to others. I love it! 🙂
(P.S. Prayed for you, hope you’re feeling better)
Love,
Tammy
Thank you, Tammy! I appreciate the prayers! Yes, having more better days than not, so that’s a good sign! 😉
Wow! I always write on the prompt before I read any… so THIS was a lovely aha! It has led me deeper into thought…
I’m so glad, Tondra! Thanks for being part of FMF!