Have I told you lately how much I adore this community? I really do.
Thank you for making Five Minute Friday what it is — so much more than just a weekly link-up. It’s a welcome mat. A gathering space. A safety net spread out to catch those on the verge of falling through the cracks. An open door, with sunlight and fresh breeze streaming in.
It would be none of those things without you. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
If you’re new here, we are THRILLED to have you join us. Learn more about Five Minute Friday here, and let yourself be drawn in!
This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is:
[Tweet “Join us for a five minute free write on the word, UNITE! “]
Ready? GO.
This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of being with a number of dear writing friends in person!
The Five Minute Friday crew was well represented, including Leah Everson, Ashley Hales, Janel, and Christy!
(Do you recognize Charity Singleton Craig & Ann Kroeker,
co-authors of On Being a Writer?)
Christy and I started the week right with a trip to my all-time favorite, Captain Sundae. On Wednesday, we were wearing winter jackets and scarves; by Sunday, Janel and I were in tank tops, having just come back from the beach:
We gathered for the Festival of Faith and Writing, and the atmosphere was energizing. Word lovers and Jesus lovers spurring one another on, squealing and hugging and clapping for each other.
There’s something beautiful about being together. Not in isolation, but united.
Last week, as I was reading a daily devotion from Paul David Tripp’s book, New Morning Mercies, I was reminded how much I need people in my life. Tripp writes, “… your walk with God is a community project. The isolated, loner, Jesus-and-me religion that often marks modern church culture is not the religion that is described in the New Testament.”
God made us into a body on purpose. He made us in His image — the image of a triune God, who has continual fellowship within Himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
It’s a mystery, but we need God and each other.
[Tweet “As the people of God, we’re better together. “]
Product from Dayspring – Click image for more info
(Pillow cover and globe from Dayspring — click images for more info)
These days, when I look around, even the United States of America feels anything but united. I see backbiting, protesting and brokenness around every corner, and it pains me.
In my opinion, there’s only one answer: Jesus.
[Tweet “God is the one who unites.”]
He is the one who unites, and He is the one who gives us the precious gift of each other.
A gift for which I’ll always be grateful.
STOP.
How have you benefited from having other people in your life?
Recommended Resources:
On Being a Writer, by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig
New Morning Mercies, by Paul David Tripp
United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity, by Trillia Newbell
Affiliate links used in this post.
Share your own five minutes of free writing below! And don’t forget to visit the person linked up before you to leave some encouragement in the comments! Thanks for being here!
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So great to see you at a retreat and so great to see Charity and Ann (waving furiously as I’ll always remember how much that series helped me, as a writer!)……Helen
Kate, I am always amazed to see how God unites hearts and thoughts in His people.When we unite for a common purpose, when we unite to fulfill the callings He places on hearts, we’re so much better together. Because of Him, we can accomplish so much more when we’re united.
This was a great word. I had no idea what I was going to write on when I saw it, but when I wrote my first thought down, the words flew. 🙂 Living united is so powerful!
Oops.
I thought the word was “untie”.
Dran dyselxsia.
Andrew, I liked your UNTIED…
I took the prompt and yours.
And, tied them up together!
xo
We do need one another. Not everyone “gets” the creative though and that is why this community is beneficial, important, and needed. I am grateful.
SO good to be with you Kate. I loved sharing pad thai with you. That was a sweet spot of the conference with me.
Kate, I loved the prompt when I read it. May we focus on Jesus, the One who unites us and not let issues cause division. This truly brings joy to the Father!
Thank you Kate! Your “welcome mat” is beautiful! And you make each one of us feel right at home. Hugs!
Susan
Kate,
thank you for a wonderful post. The photographs were a lovely touch! 🙂 You excel at uniting others. A true gift. Thank you for the blessing of community that you have committed to. It can be exhausting to serve without fail, but your faithfulness has blessed each of us and provided a depth of care and love that is surprising considering the fact that most of us still have never met in person.
May you continue to be blessed just like the people whose home held the Ark of the Covenant in David’s time!
🙂
Love,
Tammy
I loved this post, as it is just now that I’m in a season of re-discovering the meaning of true fellowship. Even though I’m behind on the “game,” I’m going to write on this word, because I’m inspired by your post! It’s so neat seeing the photos, the hearts-through-the-eyes, of sweet community. The Dayspring suggestions are lovely, too, and I’m totally checking out the Tripp book, Kate!