Place :: Five Minute Friday

It's been a while since I've joined the Five Minute Friday writer's in the FMF Link-up. It's a weekly link-up where we write for five minutes flat on a one-word prompt. This week's word has resonated with me so I'm joining in. 

Place

"Hold my place."

"It's not your place!"

"Whose place is it?"

"My place."

"My place in this world." 

 "A place in my heart."

"A place of worship."

"A place to belong."

"My favorite place to be."

"A place to call home." 

 "I go to prepare a place for you..."

"...but I can't be in two places at once." 

"Feeling out of place."

All familiar phrases ... how many times have I heard them? Or said the words?

We all long to find our place in this world. We long to belong. To have a place to call home...a place to come home to.  

Our true home is one where we are known, loved, accepted. Where we belong.  

So where do we belong?  Is it home? 
For some, home is a safe haven. A place to return. A place to just be.

For others, home is a place to escape from. Because deep in the core of their heart they know that their home is nothing but a dark shadow of what a true home should be. 

In place of being known, there is ignorance. 
In place of love, there is resentment. 
In place of acceptance, there is rejection. 

But there is hope. 

He reached down from heaven and rescued me: He drew me out of deep waters. He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the LORD upheld me. He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.   

~Psalm 18:16-19

This earthly home is only temporary...and yet even here you can experience home in its truest sense. For those who choose to accept the heart of Christ will find their home in Him. 

His grace provides a safe place. 

A place where we are known...truly known. A place where we are accepted just as we are. A place where we are loved so much that we are not left there...at the point of acceptance...but are led to realize the fullness of who we were created to be. A place to be. A place to belong. A place in this world and the one to come. 

And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ~Jesus, John 14:3

That's a promise I can take hold of. A sure hope in the One who holds the future and the present. 

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up. Join us! 

The Soul Whisperer…Five Minute Friday

It's that time again…Five Minute Friday…I'm linking up with Kate Motaung and the flash mob of brave writers who, as Kate says, "feverishly tap out five minutes of unedited beauty and post it for all the world to see."

It's a one word writing prompt and this week the word is:

Whisper...  

Can you hear?

Press in close or you will miss it

Push beyond the noise 

Open your heart and listen... really listen

Slow down and quit rushing about in every direction

Quiet the clutter in your mind

Turn from the cacophony of voices demanding more of you

Turn off the TV...shut down the computer...turn off the music

Be still….just be

Can you hear it?

That still...small voice?

Lean in, closer still

Come close

He is whispering to you

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me…watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you will learn to live freely and lightly.              

                                                                              ~Jesus,  Lover of your soul
                                                                                                               ~Matthew 11:28-30(The Message)

              

Are you listening? Maybe it's time to stop all the activity, settle into the 'unforced rhythms of grace', and just breathe in His presence.
Just. breathe...

I'm joining Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday writers today.

Click over and join the fun!