Daily Refined
"And we all, with unveiled face...are being transformed...from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor. 3:18)
Focus
I went to #FMFparty tonight to say I couldn’t stay and participate.
It’s been a week where I’ve been bombarded with sickness. Feeling mostly like a semi impaled me, then came back 2 more times to finish the job.
I’m letting stress get to me. Letting what “I wish could be” get to me. And I am tired. All the time tired. And it just doesn’t seem to ever be enough to catch up.
So I went.
So I stayed.
I couldn’t be pulled away. I just found these ladies last week. You women exploded on my blog last week, filling me with awe and unexpectedness. You whisper “keep” and “stay” with your words of wisdom and welcome. And I’m ever-so-thankful for my new-found community.
Because I’m learning more and more that community isn’t richness defined in miles between. It’s richness defined in truth, support and connection – no matter the zip code.
So..I just wanted to say thank you. You, who is reading this for maybe the first time, maybe the second. Who came here from #FMFparty. Who came here.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. 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, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on::
FOCUS
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| Photo credit: Mine (taken 2010) |
I can’t seem to.
Not on the right things. Not on what matters.
I can’t see past sleeplessness
worry
fatigue
wishing I could be somewhere I can’t
wishing with every ounce I have.
See, I am talented at focusing on the “other”.
That shouldn’t be the pull of my eyes from the wander of their purpose.
I want to focus on so much more than my limited engagements.
I want to hone in on growth
chance
purpose
present blessings
His plan
for me
beauty
possibility
….I want that attention as my pulse. The positive. That which I can actively participate, producing a change in all perspective and promise.
Give me Your eyes that I may see,
Your hands that I may hold,
Your feet that I may walk boldly.
Give me you.
Take away all of me.
STOP
And that’s all I can write tonight.
Goodnight friends old and new.
So beautiful. It's inspired art. I love your heart. I am so glad you are here. I am so glad I am here — at your place. You share a gift.
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Awesome! Great writing…I've learned that I'm not so great at the free writing thing (or the 5 minute thing!)
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So glad I met you, Leigh…your heart for Him, longing for Him comes through in your words…liked how you wrote it like a poem…blessings 🙂 I will try to be on time next week…it is the bedtime routine around her and then I get distracted…I know, I need focus 😉
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This is great! So glad to have met you at the party! Be blessed:)
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This is beautiful Leigh and your intro is just the best! I was drawn in as much as you were the first time I went. And I went back. To feel the love in that kind of community is overwhelming! It's like we take the best of us and put it out there…exactly as God intended. Blessings #fmfparty sister! 🙂
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Michele, your words are honey-soothing. Thank you so much for your kindness. 🙂 You have a permanent welcome here. I'll even give you your own mug for visits. 😉
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Crystal! I just read your letter-writing post on your blog. Wonderful!! Thank you so much for coming by here. I left a comment there too, but I'm so happy to have connected with you last night at our “party”. Can't wait for next week. 🙂
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Dolly, bedtime routines contain a time zone of their very own. I completely understand that. We will be ready for you whenever you're able to join us. I love seeing your words there when you arrive. The timing isn't what determines that. It's your heart, your words, your wisdom on life and truth in humanness. Thank you for coming here today. You bless me. Truly!
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Thank you Jennifer!! I so appreciate that. I agree fully too. That is one of the best parties around. See you next week!
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Mindy…thank you so very much! I LOVE how you depict that “It's like we take the best of us and put it out there…exactly as God intended.” It is so true, and someone ironic if I may say, because it IS the best of us, yet sometimes it's when we let the “real” of us, the messy, the needy-for-prayer-and-community of us that becomes the best. The real becomes the beauty.
Thank you for reading! Thank you for chatting. Can't wait to do that again next week.
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nice post thanks for sharing the 5 minutes friday…looking for to visit more..blessings
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Thank you! I look forward to that same thing. 🙂
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Oh, I'm just soaking in this today…
and was so happy you stopped by #FMFParty to say hello and kept smiling as I continued to see your avatar last night 😉 I'm the same way…already dreading next week when I'm certain I won't make it! Ack! still trying to find a way…
and I'll be praying this until it sinks in to my crevasses:
Give me Your eyes that I may see,
Your hands that I may hold,
Your feet that I may walk boldly.
Give me you.
Take away all of me.
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I love how you formatted your words all over the screen. It really added to the “lack of focus”! So glad you stayed at the party! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. I'm gonna have to make myself a chart to match avatars, handles, and blogs!
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Yes yes yes. I just want all of Him and none of me. Beautiful!!
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Thank you for the blessing of this beautiful poem today 🙂
So glad to have found your beautiful blog through 5 minute Friday.
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Leigh, your words convey so much- clear picture of you and what you are feeling. It took me much longer to figure out that I must empty me of me and fill me up with Him. For years I looked at others for my standard. I am so glad that you have found this earlier than I did. When we focus on Him we are on the path He designed for us. loved reading! and fmf is wonderful to find new friends!
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3 words for your beautiful and heartfelt words: I hear ya.
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Nikki, you are so enriching, you know that?
I LOVED your blog on this. I have such a wonderful time chatting at 140 character intervals with you. I keep wanting more and you are so giving and generous of your heart.
I am honored that these words spoken to me are speaking to you too. How amazing. Thank you so much for coming by.
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Oh Mary Beth, I would be beyond honored to continue getting to know you. I am so very thankful I stayed too. He knows what we need. All the time. 🙂
Share you're list or how you comprised it! I know that will be helpful for us all. I'll be sure and do the same if I figure it all out. Haha. 🙂 For now, the two tabs help tremendously when it's #fmfparty time.
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Oh thank you so much for coming by!! I have to say, if I didn't already on your blog, I just LOVE the design you chose. Your header particularly is so perfectly lovely. Matches with the words you share. 🙂
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Nancy, your encouragement is a piece of nourishment. Thank you, thank you for coming by and reading today. How I cherish meeting new people and sharing this passion for words and growth and our Carpenter of beauty. I must say, while I know such truths, feeling and practicing them are so very different. And entirely separate discipline. A big sin struggle with me is idolizing others. Looking to their approval for wholeness, their love for breath over His. Oh how it hurts to know my misguided wantings. For I know it pains Him ever more so. I'm working on it. Every day working. Sometimes I get it more easily. Sometimes I fall with such force I wonder how I'll stand once again. But He is the holder of hands. The stabilizer of arms and sacrifice. So I grow. I learn. I walk once again on foundation made of pure Rock.
Thank you so much again Nancy!
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Oh Fiona…thank you! It is so good to know the song another sings and to feel it so truly. That is comradeship in perfect form.
Thank you for coming by!
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