My Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—Begin. 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 Lisa-Jo Baker‘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!
Begin
By +Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
Begin
There’s something about the chance to begin a new thing. Have you ever felt it? That anticipation at the possibilities yet to unfold?
I’ve had a few times in my life when a chance to begin a new thing came unexpectedly. I suspect God knew that if I had a chance to think things through—to analyze the pros and cons—I would have said no to His divine opportunity.
Whether it’s something as small as planting a garden on a whim, like I did this year, or something as potentially monumental as beginning my master’s program . . .
There are times when I wake up in the morning thinking it’s going to be the same old sort of day. But within the time when the sun rises and the sun sets, I’m heading in a completely new direction.
God has a way of using those unexpected chances to begin something in our lives— to begin something within us.
He plants a seed, nurtures it, waters it. In time, sprouts unfurl from the soil of our hearts. Leaves unfold to embrace the Son and the blossoms promising fruit begin to bloom in their beauty.
Sometimes a new beginning does this in our lives . . . produces fruit we had no idea was waiting within us. Waiting to grow into something beautiful.
And it all came about because we were willing to begin something new.
When I begin something new, the anticipation thrills my heart and puts a smile on my face. God is behind it all, probably grinning just a little bit, as I catch a piece of the vision He has for that new beginning.
What about you? What do you feel when you begin something new? Have you ever talked yourself into or out of a spontaneous new beginning?
Jeanne Takenaka 