And so – we write for five minutes, our words tumbling out – no editing, no polishing – just flat out on a one word prompt! We gather all our beautiful thoughts here in our Five Minute Friday community and then love on each other as only we can do! Click here to learn all about it.
Home is where the Five Minute Friday community gathers so please join us at Kate Motaung’s for our Friday fun!
DOOR
GO…
My heart literally fell to the pit of my stomach when I heard the prompt tonight. There is something about an ending that motivates you to finish well, hang on and do your best and let go for all the possibilities that are next.
It is the walking out of the door one last time into the unknown.
It is turning back and looking over your shoulder at the reflection of your memories.
It is the walking forward into the future and all that it holds.
It is believing that God matches you step for step as you take that final walk down the school hallway and holds your hand as you let the door close behind you one more time.
It is knowing that you have been given the gift of a sequel – a new chapter in life that God has so graciously planned even before you began.
[Tweet “An ending becomes a beginning as you walk through the door to new possibilities.”]
All the feelings of ending are wrapped up in the excitement of a beginning. It is a play of opposites all vying for my attention right now. A feeling of sadness that my teaching career is ending and at the same time a joy over all that is next. My virtual tug of war is complete the last time I walk out the front doors of my school.
But God… yes always God promises –
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:9
STOP
So many emotions are swirling right now as I count down 24 more teaching days until retirement. Bittersweet tops the list and excitement is a close second but through it all the memories fill my mind as I make my way toward the door one last time!
Blessed you are here today to join me on my journey!
Mary
Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else. Tom Stoppard
Last week Kate announced that Charity Singleton Craig and Ann Kroeker the authors of On Being a Writer would be our special guests at the FMF Retreat via a Skype call on that Saturday. Below please read to learn more about their book and each of them. I am so excited to be able to learn and interact with them. Let’s show them some Twitter love to welcome them.
Charity  @charityscraig
Ann  @annkroeker
On Being aWriter
“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.” —Philip Gulley, author Front Porch Tales Sage, Surprising, Endlessly Useful! This book essentially asks, “Is your writing life all it can be?” Then it goes on to act as a personal coach, to explore the writing life the reader already has and the writing life the reader wishes for—working wisely and strategicallly to help close the gap between the two. Readers will gain insights through enlightening stories from the authors’ established writing careers. They’ll explore twelve simple (but vital) habits—through journaling, writing prompts, bonus activities, and discussion questions. Honest and witty stories help build the vision for a satisfying, sustainable writing life, while prompts and activities on the twelve vital habits assist in making that life a reality. Also includes extra resources like “tools for the writing life,” “recommended reading,” “Artist Dates,” “resources for writing a book proposal,” and “resources for launching a writers group.” Audience • Writers new and experienced, who value sustainable living and a holistic approach to career and life. Groups or teachers needing material to guide writers into a solid, sane approach to a true “writing life.” RELEASED OCTOBER 2014 ISBN 978-0989854245 TRADE PAPER $14.95 164 PAGES, 5 x 8 NONFICTION RIGHTS: WORLD INGRAM//AMAZON ts T. S. Poetry Press • New York • tspoetry.com
Charity Singleton Craig is an editor for The High Calling, a contributing writer for Tweetspeak Poetry, and a staff writer for The Curator. She also serves the communication needs of various corporate clients.
Ann Kroeker is a popular writing coach, speaker, and the author of two books, including Not So Fast. She also serves as an editor for Tweetspeak Poetry and The High Calling.
T. S. Poetry Press is an award-winning publisher that publishes poetry, fiction, and literary non-fiction. The press works to bring beautiful work to light and is proud to have been recognized with a three-time Oprah selection of one of its fiction titles.
When God opens a door for us, it is beautiful the place we are to step into. It is graceful taking the strides through the door and into the place prepared for us.
As Apostle Paul says there may be adversaries But God will make them submit to us. Lovely isn’t it?
As you walk through your open door, the Lord will guide you peacefully and lead you that special place.
God Bless Mary.
What a beautiful image you described for me-taking graceful strides into the place God has prepared for us. Thank you for joining me here and for blessing me with such sweet words. Hope your week is full of many open door moments.
Your post catches the tug-of-war well, Mary. How odd it is that grief and excitement can exist inside us at the same time. I pray that God grants you comfort as you end one season and grants you peace as you enter into another.
Thank you Marie and I believe God knows exactly what He is doing when He pairs up opposite emotions because of the rich lessons we will learn and how our relationship with Him will need to be strengthened to understand. Blessed by your encouragement through prayer. Hugs friend!
The flurry of emotions undoubtedly comes every year as you say goodbye to students, but this year it is magnified since it will be much harder to see them again and because you are heading into an exciting time of new possibilities. I just was part of the defense committee for two senior Classical Studies majors who did marvelous job defending their honors theses. My colleague in Spanish, Carol Lacy-Salazar, is retiring from Cornell this year after 31 years. Like them, you have proven yourself over and over again. Feel good about your accomplishments and realize all the talents you have developed after teaching for all these years! Blessings to you, sister!
Your words are so positive and encouraging John! I will spend many hours after I retire reflecting, remembering and knowing that I finished well. Right now in the middle of this last month my brain can only handle what is right in front of me. You have no idea how much your words mean to me today. Love you big brother! Have a great week!
Praying for you during this transition. It will be great but I also know it will me hard as you find your new normal in the weeks/months to come.
I love that we actually share the search for a new normal and I will be following your journey as I hope you will be following mine. Praying we both learn “brave” and trust as we step out into whatever is next. Love you girl!
Thank you, sweet friend, for taking us on this journey toward retirement with you. I know these next few weeks will be bittersweet but God goes before you . . . He is with you. And that is so reflected in every word you write.
Much love to you.
xoxo
Thank you sweet friend! My heart seriously did a flip in my chest when I read the prompt for FMF because I knew I had to write about retirement. I don’t want to become a broken record but there is so much processing and so much to learn when you journey into the next steps of life. Blessed by your words. Have a beautiful weekend!
Mary, blessings on this new transition. I remember that feeling well when I took a new call and moved a year ago. So hard to say goodbye to one place and hello to a new place. Yet God knew! God knows what’s next for you too!
God does know and when people ask me what I am going to do I need to always say, “I don’t know but God does”! So glad you are here and pray your weekend is blessed!
Beautiful thoughts. Wow…you are staring at a big ending /beginning. Will pray for you as you walk through these doors. #fmf
Thank you so much for the prayers. I will cherish everyone as God opens up new doors for me in my sequel. So glad you were here and are part of the #FMF community.
Oh, boy! I didn’t realize that when you said 24 days, you meant 24 days more EVER! Some days I think I’m ready for retirement, but then other days I’m sure I can teach until I’m 80 ;). May God be with you these last 24 days–may they be rich and full and leave you with a feeling of satisfaction of a job well done and an excitement for what is to come!
Such sweet encouragement! Yes 24 more days, now 23 means the ending of a 30 year career and the beginning of all God is still calling me to be. I pray you are able to teach many more years if that is your desire. I am always blessed when you are here and love seeing you at the #fmfparty. Happy weekend friend!
Oh Mary, I’m excited for you and this new season in your life, and at the same time I can understand how there would be some fear and trepidation as well. Linking arms with you virtually as you walk through this season, not alone. With God and with your #fmfparty sister community! 🙂
I thank God that He is willing to always walk me through every stage and for friends and family. There is nothing like community to walk along side and encourage you a long the way. Thank you for being here and next time we will need to chat longer.
You are going to finish well and walk through that door to whatever God has planned for your future!! I’m confident of that!! Great post. Love you, friend!
I love the reminder to finish well and I knew as soon as I saw the prompt for FMF that I had to write about retiring. I feel like a broken record but it is on my mind a lot. I could even hear God say-write about your ending, walking through the door one last time. Love that we both are part of this community. Have a blessed Friday and weekend.