Hello, dear Five Minute Friday community!
Welcome back to our weekly challenge. I have some really fun and exciting plans in store for Five Minute Friday in 2017, and I’m so glad you’re here!
If you’re new to Five Minute Friday, welcome! Head over to this page to read more.
In case you haven’t heard, we’re having another Five Minute Friday RETREAT!! Woo hoo! I can hardly wait.
There are only 12 spots remaining, so act quickly!
Visit our retreat page to learn all about it and secure your space!
This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is:
GO.
Since I started working full-time in August, I don’t see my kids as much as I used to, even though I work from home. So tonight when I realized we were in desperate need of a grocery run, I asked my kids, “Who wants to come with me?” I thought I could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak — get the necessary chore of shopping done while still spending time with my kids.
Two out of three volunteered to join me. “But I need my book!” they both exclaimed as we climbed into the car.
“No you don’t!” I countered. “You’re supposed to talk to me, not come along so you can read a book!”
“Mom,” my nine-year-old replied. “Some people like the kind of friendship when a friend is just with you.”
Bingo.
The power of presence.
He won.
It’s so true, isn’t it?
[Tweet “”We mustn’t underestimate the power of presence.” ~@k8motaung”]
After all, when God was comforting His people in the Old Testament, time and time again, He encouraged them with these words: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
When we give our friends the gift of our presence, even if it means sitting quietly by their side, we show them the love of Christ.
Amen?
STOP.
This prompt was inspired by the upcoming release of Lisa-Jo Baker’s new book, Never Unfriended:
If you pre-order before April 1st, you get these beautiful goodies for FREE!
Step 1: Order your book here (or at your favorite retailer) (affiliate link).
Step 2: Visit NeverUnfriended.com to redeem your preorder!
This post contains affiliate links.
Thanks for being here, friends! I value each and every one of you, and I’m so grateful for the privilege of being part of this community!
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love this. YES, YES. Just being there is critical. and I am glad to be back reading your words, friend! Have a good week!!!
So good to have you here, Jen! Enjoy your weekend!
I confess. I had to smile REAL big when I read aobut your kiddo wanting to bring a book in the car. That explains my sons perfectly! We rarely go anywhere without a book (or ten) accompanying us.
I loved your reminder of how important presence is, in friendships with women, and with our children.
Great post, Kate!
Love this, Kate. I’m very much a reader, a decent listener, and a terrible conversationalist (unless it’s a professional discussion of sniper rifles and long-range ballistics).
It took Barb quite awhile, after we were married, to realize that I was really with her even though I was reading, and that I was indeed listening.
But I still don’t have much to say.
I love this about the power of presence. I was really tired today as our 9mo old hasn’t been sleeping well for a few nights and just lying on our bed while they played around me feeling terrible I wasn’t doing anything interesting with her and the 3.5 year old, and yet when I left the room, Miss 3 came and said “Mummy why did you leave? I just want you to be here while I play.”
Hard to believe FRIEND has never been an FMF prompt! I wrote about a friendship fail – Not easy to confess when you fail to offer the ministry of presence. ;(
This! Every word! I’v missed coming here- glad I stppoed by.
I totally get this. My kids have gone to school and I’m used to having them around. I miss their presence! Not the fighting lol https://writeitout2017.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/five-minute-friday-friend/
Oh yes!! I’m an empty nester and widow of 7+ years who has moved a couple of times and now is starting over in so many ways — oh, how I long for friends. You nailed it. Friends whose presence is enough are so precious!
Oh I LOVE this story — but you and I are opposites because I would especially have loved if ANY of my kids would join me in the car SILENTLY 🙂 hahaha. That never happens at our place. 🙂
I’m new to #FiveMinuteFriday, Kate… and I love what I see! I love the wisdom that comes from the mouths of our children: “Some people like the kind of friendship when a friend is just with you.” Thanks for having this spot to share with others.
Out of the mouths of babes. Just being there is such a valuable friendship.
I can relate with the “presence”. You are right, I should enjoy the fact my son wants to ride with me in spite of the texting going on. You gave me something to ponder. Thank you! #50
“The kind of relationship where a friend is just WITH you.” Yes, that is so important and wise.