Here we go again with another “Five Minute Friday” post! To learn more about “Five Minute Friday” (FMF), check out the linked 
image here. Basically, each week there’s a word given for you to write about. You start writing, no back-tracking, editing, etc. At the end of 5 minutes, you stop. Then you post it, and share in the community of words that were birthed during these 24-ish hours. It’s cool stuff.
So here’s this week’s response to the word: “opportunity ”
It’s a word that hit’s home. Sometimes as an accusation, and sometimes just as a soft reminder. My children are not simply asking for my time. They’re not running to me when I come home from work, looking for ways to add to my “to do” list. They’re offering me opportunities.
It’s easier to remember sometimes than others. When they’re smiling in the afternoon sun, sliding down the hill on the brand new tube I got for them last year. We’ve waited a loooong time to be able to enjoy this moment. My 3 year old in the seat in front of me, and I’m dragging my hands in the snow behind us, steering us away from the tree on the left, and the slight hole on the right. We arrive at the bottom, and the tube spins around just a bit. She’s still screaming with joy, as she stands up and turns around, begging to do it again. Just 5 minutes ago, she was terrified that I even offered to let her sit on that tube.
But she was convinced by her daddy to see the challenge as an opportunity.
I want to ride these moments of parenting with that same joy. I want to reach out to them in their unexpected moments of need, not with the dutiful dedication of a parent who wants to be responsible….but with the heart of a father who wants to express the joy of parenting and the love of his children with every step of the journey….
Gorp. Times up.
What is something you’ve been going through the motions of…..that perhaps God is reminding you of how precious an opportunity you have??
words from wick 
wonderful! I forget that in my lack of patience some days that I am stealing my own opportunity to love on them… thanks for this!
I’m right there with you, Cori! Thanks for reading!! 🙂
You didn’t even miss a beat with the break, Wick! Loved this one… will be thinking about your question tonight…
Thanks Nikki!!! Hope you had a great Holiday!
Ahhhh . . . so many opportunities I know I’ve missed- yet, God can use it to bring about amazing things- HE fills the gaps! But – to leave the lists behind and grab the opportunities NOW – that is a great goal! 🙂
Amen….he can bring grace to our missed moments. Thanks for stopping by!!
I feel your heart. All I want is for the Bunny to be content. It’s a huge word!
Huge indeed. Praying God can be involved more and more….:) Thanks for reading!
Gorp. How I struggle with issue of feeling guilty when I don’t grab the parenting opportunity. As a STAHM and homeschooling mom, my kids are with me every day, all day and I struggle with conversations of opportunity because at some point it is good for my kids to see me work, to see me doing the things I need to do. But they always ask for more. And they watch every thing. Wow you struck a chord in me.
Is STAHM the same as SAHM? I wanna know my acronyms! 🙂 Glad there are other parents who need the same reminders as me…thanks for reading!!
So true. Life offers countless opportunities daily but we must be fully aware to see them. Experience them. Thanks for you thoughts on this.
Countless and then some, eh? Thanks for reading, Diana!!
Dear Wick
Thank you for reminding us that each moment we look at someone in front of us, is an opportunity to be our Lord’s heart of love to that person, whether it is a child, wife, husband or even a stranger! For He loves us all equally!
Much love and a blessed 2013
Mia
May we respond to that opportunity well! Thanks for reading, Mia! 🙂