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: “ordinary”
We avoid these things like a disease. Because if you’re truly enjoying life, if you’re doing it right, if you’re the spectacular employee, father, husband, friend, etc…there’s no such thing as “ordinary”. It’s the same with “average”. You may as well put a giant stamp on whatever is being described that says, “I didn’t really try.”
But perhaps, there’s more beauty in the ordinary than we give credit. In a world that’s based on how fast our brains can process information, images, and sales pitches – our hearts are lagging behind. Our hearts need time to process what a moment feels like. The gentle breaths of a 3 year old sleeping next to you. The frigid sunrise as you’re driving early to work. The unique patterns of frost as the window takes time to melt. These “ordinary” moments that don’t require any sort of extra “effort”, don’t ask us to “try harder” in order to make a better product. They are moments we experience every day, quietly slipping by as our brains search for the next really important thing to notice.
I’m a youth pastor, and by the public image of this job – I realize the first thought many people have is how entertaining/fun youth ministries can be. I won’t argue, I’ve got an obnoxiously fun personality at times. But I like to think that our ministry, and my personal life as well, are characterized less by requiring the “super (-ficially valuable)”, and more by embracing the ordinary. Because I think that by embracing the ordinary, we connect ourselves with an incredible God who has already spoken His “Good” over such things…
stop.
Sounds like I’ve got a few thoughts on this, eh?
words from wick 
Our hearts are TOTALLY lagging behind. I pray God speaks His “good” over as much of my mess as possible. Such great words you’ve written here.
Thanks for reading, Missy!!!
Agreed. There is so much more beauty in the ordinary than we give credit. Note to self…work on this…..thanks for the reminder…and all your good thoughts!
(high five) Thanks Fionacharisbrown! 🙂 Working on it here too….:)
Hi Wick,
“Because I think that by embracing the ordinary, we connect ourselves with an incredible God who has already spoken His “Good” over such things…” Amen. Thank you! It looks like we were on a similar track this week 🙂
May we continue to hear what He has already spoken…thanks, Dolly!
Dear Wick
I am convinced that we have made the ordinary simplicity of living in our Lord, something so complex and extra-ordinary that we can easily miss those sweet moments He lavishes us with everyday. Your words are wise today, dear friend!
Much love
Mia
Gotta love when God lavishes us with ordinary….may we be satisfied in it today. 🙂 Thanks Mia!
Yea baby!!
haha….glad I seem to have struck a chord. 🙂
What a wonderful heartfelt post. You are right, our hearts are way behind. We are encouraged not to feel, but to be in a continuous state of action.
Sophia
twentyfiveseasons.com
Continuous, for sure. May we find pauses today. Thanks, Sophia!
Missy said exactly what I was thinking!
and the fact that He is patient with me…the grace required to wait for my heart to catch up…that is Good News indeed!
great post, Wick!
I hear you…so glad God gives us grace for our hearts as we seek His ways in a world that hides them….:) Thanks, Nikki!!
“They are moments we experience every day, quietly slipping by as our brains search for the next really important thing to notice.” YES! I love this!
It’s the ordinary things that turn into memories that our children will take with them and we will mull over in our old age. The simple, ordinary things are what really matter.
Love this post, Wick!
It’s good for us to pause, and think about the moments we remember from growing up. Some of them are so preciously ordinary….thanks Jamie!!!
I love looking for God in the ordinary… and I pray that he continues to tune my heart into how he brings the EXTRA-ordinary into my every day.
I’m with you, Tonya! Thanks for reading!
thanks for the comment love and btw great post. I love that moment of totally ordinary with a three year old sleeping on my lap:)
gotta love those moments! Thanks for coming by, Casey!