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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: “jump”.

“daa-aaaaadd!!  Watch!”  She yells to me for the  5th time that morning.  She’s discovered how to jump.  She’s already proven she can clear the distance of her favorite book.  Well, as long as she can separate her feet.  But here she is, teetering dangerously high on the edge of our first step.  I can barely handle the tension as her toes are clearly almost a foot off the floor.

There’s no way.   She’s not going to make this.

Keeping both feet together in an act of defiance so bold is makes me gasp without trying, she launches herself several inches forward off of that pinnacle.  It’s only a moment before she reaches the ground, first with her feet, and next with her knees and hands.  She rolls forward and to the side a bit.  I see her giant smile before she even jumps up to announce to me what I’ve just witnessed was exactly what she intended.  Arms raised somehow higher than her smile, she yells “Ta-da!!”  And I applaud, genuinely applaud – more excited than I was to see David Copperfield back in Vegas several years ago.

Someday her jumps will get bigger.  Off of fences.  Off the diving board.  Off an overhanging branch into a river.  Off the edge of selfishness, and into love for others.  Off of pursuing the American dream, and into God’s Kingdom work.  Off of comfort, and into a risky new adventure we’re both unsure of.  She’ll look at mom and dad with a smile on her face, and we’ll jump into a standing ovation….so very proud of our little girl…

done.

I hope I get to applaud tomorrow….:)

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: “here”.

It can mean so many different things, at different times, to different people.

To the “Parking and Traffic Commision” I serve on for our city, “Here” (I’m present, ready to help place a handicap spot, or traffic control device of some sort.)

To the voice and image on the other side of the County Jail video phone, “I’m here” (We have 15 minutes again this week, to try and fit all of your prayers, and answer a few questions about the Bible as possible.)

To my daughter, “Daddy’s here!” (She runs to me, and I scoop her up into my arms, breathing in the life she radiates.  Knowing I can’t do this forever, I enjoy it all I can.)

To my teens in youth group, “I’m here for you.” (Though they may not understand, because they know I get paid – I really do want to be there for them – beyond the lessons and trips.  I pray, and I hope they know I and their other leaders find joy in being able to share life with them.)

To my wife, “I’m here.” (As I remember that it’s important to have more days a week where we share the final minutes of the day in conversation and/or prayer, than sharing an experience of television.)

To God, each morning I try to echo the response of Isaiah (6:8), “Here am I, Lord…send me.” (Into my day, wherever that might lead.  I may not always remember either, so feel free to take control when I’m too stubborn/selfish to relinquish it.)

End.

And on that note….I’m so glad you’re here.  (Glad you came by to read my words…thanks for connecting.)