Five Minute Friday ~ Last

I saw this photo awhile ago - and I've been looking for an excuse to use it... I'm not even sure where I first saw it now... but my kids think these would be FABULOUS "lawn ornaments!" I wonder what the missionary committee would say if we had some of these in our front yard ~ or if they'd just sigh and think, "Strange missos from Africa... again!?"

But that's all really just an aside ~ 

It seems like I hear (and can participate in myself, quite frequently, if I'm brutally honest with myself) in criticism of this, that or the other thing... It might be the government, the church leadership, the mission leadership, the boss, the teacher, the pastor, the husband (or wife), the kids, the in-laws, the doctor...

Well, I'm sure you get the gist.

The point is, so many of us are willing to be critical and complain; we are so good at pointing out what's wrong. Lately, I think the Holy Spirit has been challenging me to see more of what's right (because that's a pretty good indicator that He's already at work there)... or asking me how I can take steps to act or change so that those problems I'm so freely criticizing become less problematic.

Ronald Reagan stated it a little bit differently...

"To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will."

...but it seems to be basically the same idea.

Why is it... how is it... we can still feel good about ourselves when we see problems, acknowledge the injustice and wrongness of what's happening, complain about everyone else's lack of action, criticize those mistaken plans of attack that don't mesh with our own philosophy... and still not feel moved to move ourselves. Because I still believe that one of the most accurate barometers of God's life changing presence in my life is the clear result of His force acting on this body... in other words? The real-life, visible displacement that should occur as a result.

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Also thinking about last in another way today... 'cause it is the last day of the first part of our boy's life. Tomorrow, he leaves for college and new adventures.

And even while we're excited for tomorrow, we're treasuring last.

Now, set your timer friends, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right. These are your people. The poets, the mothers, the bloggers, the writers, the pencil and paper artists. Let’s do this.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...