By +Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
My Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—GIVE. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
GIVE
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind where you pour out and give of yourself and serve and . . . the list goes on. You come to the end of the day exhausted, weary. And just plain DONE.
As a mom and as a wife, as a friend and as a daughter of God, sometimes I feel as though I have nothing left to give. The kid comes to me for the third time that day asking for forgiveness for mean words spoken.
The green beans burn on the stove top as I help with homework.
Snow falls and needs shoveling and the husband is out of town.
A friend calls with the worst kind of news to be shared.
I am empty.
It’s when I come to the end of myself—of my reserves—that I see how much I need God. I need Him to fill me with Himself so I can continue to give to those He places in my daily path. I need to lean hard into Him, asking for His help.
I can’t do life on my own.
We’re heading into what could become a chaotic season, a time of celebrating Jesus’ birth and all He’s given to us. It’s imperative that I—that we—spend quiet time with him daily. It’s only after coming into His presence that we can offer the gift of ourselves to others.
My desire is to be His light, speak His encouraging words, be His hug to someone hurting. I want to be a gift to those around me. To give of myself to help them feel better.
To give beyond my resources, I must ask the Lord to fill me with Himself. I can only give of Jesus when I’ve been with Him.
As we step into Christmas busy-ness, let’s purpose to give our time, our worship to the One who’s given everything to us.
What about you? How do you give of yourself to others? What do you do when you feel empty?
Vist Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday post—Give