Thursday, September 4, 2014

Five Minute Friday - Whisper

On Fridays a bunch of brave writers gather here to all spend five collective minutes writing on a single prompt. It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week. This blessed, beautiful place where we open our hearts and let words and tears and the inner workings of our lives bleed and flow and dance across the virtual pages. Yes, this community opens wide and invites you in to share. Come and visit and read. You will be blessed.

This week: Whisper 

Go 

It’s been pressing at me. The faintest pulse. An urge. A sweet, gentle proposition curling like pipe smoke around me – as if I were the image of an old man, rocking gently on a well-worn porch.

I hear it like an echo in the books that I’m reading – and even the ones I’m not. The titles thrusting themselves with modest insistence as I pass the stacks piled up throughout my home. I hear it in the melodies of the songs on my iPod and on the radio. Even when the tune stands alone and there are no words. The message remains. I am gathered and surrounded by it in the scriptures I've been meditating on and soaking in.

It is more than a question, but less than a statement. It is an invitation to a life well lived. A life of spirit-filled joy and contentment found in stillness and in service.

Layers upon layers are building. Structure forming. Images and intention coalescing into something yet to be revealed. I know the direction. I am watching the story arc unfold. I have a glimmer of an idea of the ending. But I will not know all of it. Not in this lifetime.

But the offer remains. On the breath of the dawn and in the sigh of twilight, He speaks and asks, “Follow me.” So simple. It could not be more simple. My Lord and my God calls me in a whisper: love me with all your heart; love those with you as you love yourself; do justice; love mercy; walk humbly. Follow me.


I want to take brave, small steps and follow after this invitation. Brave, in spite of my fearfulness of the cost unknown. Brave, even in the face of the unexpected – sheer terror for an organized planner with control issues. Brave, because the strength is not mine alone.

A step into surrender.
A step into sacrifice.
A step into a holy calling of dying to self.
This is where I’m going.

I pray that He doesn’t mind that I whisper my yes inside my heart.
I pray my whisper echoes into eternity.
Come with me?

Stop



How to Join
Want to know about how Five Minute Friday got started, and how to participate? All the details are here. No editing or second guessing. 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 the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

40 comments :

  1. And I can only whisper a soft amen to this beauty

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh friend...this is beautiful. and I loved how you described this calling deftly being woven together by our creator and how he's taking the threads and continuing with something beautiful....you and your calling. Love you dear sweet one....I pray that your steps are sweet as you wander into this Mystery

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J - I am enjoying that we're connecting more! Thank you for your prayers - you are in mine too.

      Delete
  3. Beautiful sweet words, praying for your steps towards your calling. http://www.stumblingwithgrace.co.uk/?p=551

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara, thank you for praying with me. Blessings for your weekend.

      Delete
  4. I loved this... "whispering into eternity". What a heart-felt, honest, and encouraging testimony of His work in your life...in your heart. Great post! I'm glad we are FMF neighbors :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, FMF neighbors - what could be better? Thank you for your kind words Karen!

      Delete
  5. Oh, Rebekah. This is just lovely. I have no words. You bless me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie - love that you were here. Thank you for encouraging me!

      Delete
  6. Love the image you painted! Growing up, a father-like figure in my life smoked a pipe and I always associated that with comfort and coziness. Thank you for that sweet reminder tonight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna, I love when writing makes a connection to memory like this. I'm glad it was a good one.

      Delete
  7. Since I hadn't stopped by in awhile, I thought I would and I'm so glad I did. Beautifully written - love your imagery and your invitation. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you did too. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.

      Delete
  8. This, yes this- nodding..."Brave, in spite of my fearfulness of the cost unknown. Brave, even in the face of the unexpected – sheer terror for an organized planner with control issues. Brave, because the strength is not mine alone." The gift of your words is rich, laden with beauty and soul- thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie - you're a blessing. Thank you for this and for sharing the post. It means so much.

      Delete
  9. Your writing always lifts me up! Thank you

    http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for being here to share this space with me!

      Delete
  10. Ah, the peace that comes from a heart whisper---that's the kind that lasts the longest, I think, because it's so intimate and one-on-one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. It truly is. Thanks for being here Anita!

      Delete
  11. Stopping by from FMF. What a beautiful post. Whispers calling you to a journey with Jesus that will be the ultimate experience. Obedience to those whispers will bring peace and joy. Bless you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so blessed you stopped by Leah. Your devotional on Hebrews is one of the books prompting my heart. I'm so grateful to have this resource and am looking forward to sharing it!

      Delete
  12. Truly beautiful, Rebekah. Much love. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bless you Beth. His words and His guidance always make a difference.

      Delete
  13. I need to print this off and treasure it. I am podcasting today about being brave and may just have to quote you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing this and the picture (on Twitter). Kind of blew me away. So grateful for your encouragement!

      Delete
  14. Oh sweet friend I want to join you on this path to bravery and that in it's self scares me to death. Your words are such a beautiful encouragement to my heart. I love you and pray for you each yes you whisper.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love that we can walk this together. Can't wait to talk about it more tomorrow. Tomorrow! I'm so excited.

      Delete
  15. On our own, the weakness of our souls could not face the world. Embraced in His Holy Spirit, we can change it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David, I'm so grateful for your coming to read here. It means so much more that you're right next door, too. You encourage me.

      Delete
  16. Oh your whisper echoes, my friend! It echoes! I love you so! I have missed you... hoping to return to somewhat of a regular routine that includes a twitter party on Thursday nights again soon! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praying for you in this season and looking forward to connecting more soon. Love you back. x o x o

      Delete
  17. I love this invitation. It's so beautifully written. Your words captivated me. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you friend - love seeing your smile here!

      Delete
  18. Wow, I am hearing this whisper too. I was talking with Karrilee about this on her blog a few days ago. I hear the whispers. I am not sure where He is leading yet, but I am listening and following. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love how there is stirring among the hearts of the Lord's people. Reading this encourages me even more - He is moving through the whispered invitations to bring more people back to Himself. Praying with you as you listen.

      Delete
  19. Hi Rebekah, This is incredible. What gifted writing and full of so much truth. Thank you for sharing. I love this line: "My Lord and my God calls me in a whisper: love me with all your heart; love those with you as you love yourself; do justice; love mercy; walk humbly. Follow me." Amen...I hear it, too. Your words resonate with my soul. Have a blessed weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad they did - thank you so much for sharing this space with me!

      Delete

Thank you for the kindess of your comment. I pray your patience with the word verification. I've had such troubles with spammers lately. Thank you for grace. I look forward to reading all the comments and responding. I appreciate you!