Five Minute Friday: Belong -

I've wanted to do this for weeks now... but never joined up. Something kept telling me I should do it, but I never felt ready, even though I love writing. Until today. Today I felt ready. 

From Lisa-Jo Baker, the Gypsy Mama: "On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else's agenda. But for fun, for practice, for joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker. We love to just write without worrying if it's just right or not. For five minutes flat."

The first time I read that, tears welled up in my eyes, and here I am, joining in. I'm excited! Here goes. 

Today's prompt: Belong. 

~ Go. ~ 

 It isn't just her. It's the way I feel from countless friends, the way they speak to my soul. 

The ways they listen when no one else has time, the way they love me when I'm angry. 

The ways they find to bless me when I'm at the end of my rope and want to smash something. 

They speak to who I am in Christ, not who I am now, not the mistakes I've made. I receive from them pure sweetness, the kind people write about in books and try to show in movies. Like the rain falling on a quiet summer night, their words are often balms to my soul. 

I don't know how I got here, and I don't know how on earth I have been so blessed. 

It amazes me God loves me so much to bring this sense into my world, my life, my heart. 

They are a small reality, I suppose, of how He feels about me. How He loves me so incredibly. How He draws me to Himself with every piece of life, whether I love it or not. He is there. 

There is always that little part of your heart that tells you not to over-share, because sometimes it comes back to bite you. And then all might be lost in the instant that they don't understand. 

Today I couldn't help it. I had to talk. Emotions were spilling over, and were running too high. 

Two rings and her voice comes on the line, washing over me like that beautiful summer rain. Light, loving, ready to listen, to take on life. Ready to be with me in whatever I have to say. 

And just like that, I laughed too. I snuggled down in my seat. 

Because I knew instantly that I belonged. 

~ Stop. ~

Today's post is dedicated to my dear friend, Tricia, who is always there for me, day or night. 

I love you, bestie. I am so incredibly blessed with your friendship. Thank you for often putting out the fires in my soul.

~ Jean Marie ~