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.
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SAME
GO…
Are you a person who loves routine? Do you crave the familiar to the point that change makes you twitch? What does same look like to you?
As I was typing these questions, I was considering what category I fall into when it comes to routine vs. change and I err on the side of routine. There is something very comforting about knowing what to expect and what it is going to look like each time. I follow a schedule and I’m good at it. But when you throw me a curve and the schedule falls apart, I am temporarily paralyzed by what step to take next.
As a teacher for years, I learned to be flexible because even though my plans were laid out perfectly and my schedule was marked by what was first, second, third, etc. there were many days that were unpredictable. Children are never predictable because they are all unique and their personalities, which mark their identity, are always changing and growing.
Even though I crave sameness in my life and strive to keep routines in place, I am reminded that life does not always work like that. I am learning that as I grow into who I am and continue to unfold as a child of God, I am becoming someone who looks to God for my sameness and security. He is the one who is constant and is always a sure thing. With Him, we can handle the days that are messy and follow no particular order at all.
[Tweet “God is our constant in a world that shouts loudly for our attention.”]
God is our constant in a world that shouts loudly for our attention. God seeks us and rallies around when life derails and when life runs smoothly. God will never change and we can rely on Him in all things.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
In grace and peace,
Mary
So true! God is our constant in all types of change and trouble, Mary. Thank you for stating this truth so eloquently and simply and blessings to you, my friend!
Thank you for always being here. I am blessed to know God who He is exactly who He says He is every single time. Knowing I can rely on Him gets me through each day. Blessings upon your week.
Dear Mary, I understand how unsure we can be especially when we don’t know what next to do. But I trust that God will guide your steps friend.
Thank you for being a blessing Mary.
God Bless and have a splendid week
God does guide my steps and for that I am grateful. He is the one thing that I can always rely on no matter what. But I really do like routine-it’s who I am. Thanks for being here. Hope your weekend was restful.
This summed up my week! I love routine and schedules, but my family has gone through a series of illnesses that’s thrown my routine off. Such a wonderful reminder of God’s grace in these situations.
God’s grace is the constant that gets me through each day and week. Without it I am nothing. We are blessed that as we seek routine we have God walking alongside us to help us when we fall. I’m praying your week is blessed.
I crave routineness and sameness, but honestly? The best memories and growth experiences I’ve ever had are as a result of change. We have to force ourselves to leave that routine behind every now and then!
We do have to go with change whether we are ready or not. The best part is when we remember that God remains constant and is always there in the midst of that change. I have learned a lot when change has occurred and those life experiences are what have helped make me into who I am. Thank you for stopping by Stephanie.
Oh, I love a schedule too! And hate it when last minute change comes! 🙂 Thanks for the reminder that God’s still in control and He is the constant I can hold on to. Love you!
There is something so satisfying about laying out a schedule for the day or week and being able to check it off as each task is completed. Reality has shown me that it rarely works so nice and neatly. Thank goodness that God is who He says He is and He never changes in the middle of this world that is in constant flux. Have a happy weekend!
I love this, Mary! As someone who also finds great comfort in routine, the unexpectedness of life often upset me. Throws me completely off balance. Thank you for reminding me that I need to seek out stability in Him and not in circumstances or planners, no matter how pretty they are. 🙂
I love planners and filling up the space with stuff, but have learned after many years that the stuff never makes me happy and I end up rarely checking all the filled boxes because I am too busy! Go figure! You are right that our stability is in God and we need to let Him guide us in filling our days whether with planned things or unplanned surprises. So glad you are here and love that we are both part of the FMF community.
Mary, I, too, like routine, yet God consistently calls me out of my routine and into His plan. You and I were thinking alike with our posts today. Blessings to you!
The familiar has always been my friend. I learn to cope with change but it is not something I seek out on my own. God reminds me often that change is inevitable but I can expect to always feel the familiar when I look to Him first. Thank you for stopping by here today. Have a wonderful weekend.
Mary, I imagine after years of routine, this retirement season is challenging to say the least! Lifting you in prayer this morning – and, it does look like you are having a good time!
Retirement is going well. Routine does come with a regular job but I am working on establishing rhythms in my life to carry em through each day. I love seeing you here Susan and I appreciate your prayers. Have a blessed weekend.
Amen!
Thanks for stopping by, Karen! It was good to see you pop up here. Hope your travels are going well.
I so loved this, Mary!! Love YOU. xoxo
Thank you Beth!!! How nice of you to take time and stop by as you are busy with wedding vow renewal preparations. Love you too.
Well you know I love me some bossy lists and a good routine, but God has been stretching me this year and asking me, “Who told you that you could have a comfort zone?” gulp… So thankful that no matter what, He remains the same!
I have watched you being stretched and just love how you are engaging in and leading your house church. What a blessing that even when God stirs things up, He remains the same through it all. Praying you have a blessed weekend and so good to see you here.
AMEN! My season, or rather seasons, of change have been hard. I’m not quite recovered but am so thankful He hasn’t left me alone in the process. Love you!
God always is true to who He says He is and what He will do and for this brings such comfort. Knowing God is my constant keeps me going even not he days when nothing seems to be right. I always love seeing your beautiful face here. Blessing upon your weekend.
That Hebrews verse was the first thing I thought of when I heard the word prompt tonight. God is indeed our constant. Loved this line: “God is our constant in a world that shouts loudly for our attention.” Amen! I’m parked in the #9 spot this week.
Thanks for stopping by! Seeing you here always brightens my day. Seems we both are focused on God as our constant as evidenced by choosing Hebrews as our verse today. Blessings upon your weekend.
Thank you, Mary. I lean toward desiring “sameness” as well … There’s a sense of security in same, isn’t there? Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to find our security in Christ — because He is always the same. Thank you for this post!
There is something about being able to hang on to something that is always steady and will never let you down that comforts me and keeps me going. I am in awe that God is the that person and how He remains our constant for us in the face of any challenges. Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Kate. I am praying your weekend is prosperous and your garage sale is successful.
Beautifully said.
For me, on a day when fell changes came thick and fast, and my strength is ebbing by the hour, all I can say is God, please – give me tomorrow.
Andrew-I continue to pray for you and your wife in the extreme pain that you are experiencing. May God grant you relief.
Oh, I’m with you! I used to love change…and then the cancer thing threw too many changes at our little family at once and I came out the other side feeling downright cranky with change. But I’m learning the same lesson you are learning, my friend. I can handle the changes because I know my God never changes.
I’m not sure what other people do if they don’t feel one steady influence in their lives. For us it’s God and we are blessed that He is exactly who He says He is and that will never change. It’s a good thing because change is inevitable and seems to come often in our lives. I’m so glad to see you here today, Anita and pray that your school year is going well.