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!
WAIT
GO…
Two weeks have passed and each day, each minute was a lesson in waiting. I was filled with uncertainty and darkness closed in as if to smother out all joy and light. Each day, I struggled to the surface to catch a breath and ask “why”. Each day, the same answer returned, just wait!
Two weeks have passed and some of the waiting is over. The feelings of emptiness, anxiousness and uncertainty have started to fade. Two weeks where I felt I had lost all sense of time and all connection with myself and my life.
You see darkness is real. Anxiety is the face of all your fears. Feeling like your life is not your own can be your complete undoing. But God said, “wait”. I am here and I will help you. The moments were real, the darkness was oppressing but God promised me light and today it arrived.
[Tweet “God is the change, the answer and the face of hope in our waiting!”]
God is the change we need when we struggle with life. God is the answer to our prayers when waiting is all we can do. God is the face of hope and light.
STOP
***A little back story is that the last two weeks I have faced health issues, extreme anxiety and loss of control over ordinary life. God has been shoulder to shoulder with me on this journey and even in the waiting that I might not feel better and like myself, God was the voice of reason that somehow I knew that I would come out of the darkness into light. Anxiety is real my friends and my “be the strong one” persona that I have carried all my life needed to crumble to teach me that waiting for the good is always worth it.
Blessed you hung out here with me! All the prayers I have been receiving have made a difference because calling upon God in our weakness makes us strong.
Mary
Linking with this beautiful community!
Anxiety has hit our house hard the last few weeks as well. It has caused confusion and frustration but in the midst of it, has turned us back to seeking God even more closely than before. Praying for you as you navigate this challenging season!
Your prayers are cherished and your words are an encouragement. Please know I am praying for you and your family too!
Yes, He is and will forever be! 🙂
God teaches, loves and waits for us while we wait for Him to unfold His glorious plan. The in between times might be full of challenges but His promises are true and His love never ends. Blessings friend!
Thank you Mary. Through all we are faced with in this life, God’s touch shines bright to guide us out of those times of trouble and darkness. His light to me is a very warm feeling of love and kindness. You have reminded me today how impatience should never outweigh my Faith.
First I just love that you popped over here! You found my passion here on this page. Second, God’s love shines brightly for all of us and for me in those times of complete darkness and uncertainty. I am truly blessed. Waiting for God to reveal and share the next steps is always difficult but you reminded me again that patience makes the wait worth it.
Mary, what a message of hope this is: “God is the change, the answer, and the face of hope in our waiting.” May the Lord see you through this time of waiting. Thank you for sharing with transparency and grace here.
Your words bless me and affirm that I am writing to honor God who is calling me to be authentic. It can be difficult to admit weakness and to then share it publicly. Your encouragement is just what I needed. Thank you for being here!
I love you friend. Thank you for sharing your testimony of what God is doing as you wait. I’ve been leaning on the words and stories of others to carry me through this season. I know that He strengthens those who wait. Thank you for giving me strength today. Hugs!
Blessed that my words strengthened you. God is so good in that way-He shares through others and with others to provide for His children. Love and prayers friend!
Mary, I’m new to the FMF world of blogging and it’s my first time on your site. It’s inspiring to see a person during their dark moments publicly announce they are in such a state and still leaning on God through it all. Mary, I thank God that your roots are deep and firmly planted knowing you must rely on Him to pull you through. I pray that our Lord provides for all of your needs and blesses you. May the light outshine and defeat the darkness.
Your words bless me! It is so hard to admit to weakness when you are used to being the strong one. I am praying your prayer too, may the light outshine the darkness.
Welcome to FMF. I am thrilled you are here and I know everybody else is too. It is such a blessing to have new people join this amazing community.
Hi Mary – so sorry to hear you were having health issues. Is everything okay? My prayers are for your healing and calm. Anxiety taxes the body, mind and soul. May God lift the spirit of your heart and bring His comfort and joy.
Once again, the words you write provide inspiration to me.
Love,
Karen
We will need to have coffee soon to catch up. Anxiety is such a thief of our reality and our health. I am doing much better and knowing you are praying and nearby helps. Love you Karen!
I hear you friend. Anxiety comes to call here, too, from time to time.
Give yourself permission to breathe deep. Turn off all that’s coming at you. Unplug. Play.
It truly is ok …
And if you need to see a doctor, that’s all good, too. No shame. Only grace. And taking care of ourselves, body, soul, and spirit.
Hugs from me to you …
Your words are always a haven for me because they are full of understanding and wisdom. Anxiety sneaks in and steals joy and perspective. God is the answer to all with His unlimited love and grace. Love you friend!
I’m so glad you recognize God’s presence in the midst of your anxiety. What a comfort to know that He is with us when all we can do is wait. Love you and have thought of you many times over the last couple of weeks! We’ll talk soon! xoxo
It’s very hard to be real in a world that desires whole people who look strong in every situation. God is reminding me that who I am, really am needs to be revealed so that I can truly honor Him. It’s hard work but with God, I can do it. Your friendship means so much. Thank you for blessing me!
Oh sweet friend. I want to take that drive this weekend and come hug you. I struggle lately in this online world because friends who have become such dear friends (like you!) I long to do more real life with. Because these words from you make me want, even more than I already did, to sit with you. But until that day comes, know that I will keep you close in prayer. I love you. xoxo
When God gave me the word shine this year, who would have thought that there would be parts of me that needed to be broken to then be made whole again? Because in our brokenness we learn to cling and in the clinging we learn that God’s love can shine through us. I am blessed by friends like you who truly would drive to see me if I needed you. God’s got me everyday and every single minute. Thank you for your prayers and love!
Thank you for sharing this. God is our refuge, a help close at hand in times of distress.
Amen! Blessed by your words! Thank you for stopping by!
Such a powerful post, thank you. Wishing you well in your healing process. Thankful you have found a deep source of peace in your chaos. {A FMF friend}
Thank you Helen! Your words are healing and soothe in the face of anxiety. Peace!
What a great encouragement your post is Mary, even in the midst of difficult times. I am sorry to hear you are going through all this. I too, have been having extreme stress issues and health problems relating to this which causes anxiety and many more unpleasant feelings. God is leading me to make changes and they would have seemed way too risky to do in the past. But I know this is what God’s plan is and there is no turning back, I pray daily for courage and for His lead. Hang in there and if you ever need to talk please let me know if you would like, through the contact form on my blog. Many blessings to you!
Your words bless me so and soothe some of those rough places that are still being worked out. Your prayers mean so much and please know I will pray for you too as you learn what God has planned for you. Blessings for a weekend of rest and renewal.
Oh yes… this: “God is the change we need when we struggle with life. God is the answer to our prayers when waiting is all we can do. God is the face of hope and light.”
Amen, sweet friend! Praying with you for complete healing… thankful that He is the face of hope and light! May He shine bright in and through you!
Thank you Karrilee! God blesses me over and over with friends like you who encourage, pray and affirm HIs truth and promises. Thank you for being one of those people! Happy weekend and Go Seahawks! 🙂
I want to reach out and give you a big ol’ hug Mary. I am so sorry you are going through this struggle. But so happy to hear that you are listening for that still, small voice and are clinging to the sweet light. I am so very happy to see that you brought this struggle out into the light. Praise Jesus for your courage! xoxo
Thank you Nicki!
I just want to give you a big ol’ hug Mary. I am so sorry you suffer from anxiety. I have a close friend and a family member that struggles with this and it is devastating to see what they go through. So happy to hear that you are listening for His voice in the darkness. Praise the Lord for the light. The beautiful, glorious, marvelous light!
Your words bless me, Nicki! By being real, I am hoping that my words help to heal others as well as myself. I would love a big hug in person! 🙂 Blessed by your kindness and #fmfparty friendship! Have a great weekend!