Friday, August 28, 2015

Alone: Five Minute Friday

Another week, another chance to write on a one-word prompt for only five minutes. We set timers, type quickly, and let it flow without criticism. Then, we link-up our posts so we can read others' posts and they read ours and we have a community that grows from one word each week.
Five Minute Friday.

Go!

"Alone"

My favorite hymn, as of late, is by Charles Austin Miles.

"I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

V2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

V3. I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain"


"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone," (Matthew 14:23 NIV)
Jesus got up by himself early to pray. By himself could also be written "alone".
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35 NIV)

I still remember a crisis in college. I don't remember the details, but I remember that I was distraught and tried reaching multiple friends on the telephone, knocked on dorm room doors, and nobody answered. I then sought God's help.
Sometimes, God purposefully allows me to feel all alone so that I will seek Him alone for help.


"You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." (Nehemiah 9:6 NIV)

"Sometimes it is in the stillness of solitude that we are silent enough to hear His still, small voice." [tweet this].



And then, there are times where I feel isolated, desperately alone, and He allows me to be encouraged by others. This Five Minute Friday group has been that for me. Through interacting on the weekly Twitter #fmfparty on Thursdays, I have gotten to know a few dear friends. And also through reading each others' posts and commenting, I have come to know that validation of "me too!" "You're not alone!"

When we struggle on Earth, we desperately need community. God made us for that.

"For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living." (Romans 14:7-9 NIV)


Last night, I was blessed to not be alone whatsoever. I was hosting a gathering of friends, so I completely missed the #fmfparty. This morning, I had two friends, Susan and Ruthie, who were inquiring if I was going to be posting. It feels so good to be missed! And, I had encouragement from a very dear friend, Andrew.

Andrew is a man who has contributed much to Five Minute Friday. One week he commented on my post, and I began to read his posts as well. He is living out His faith and has taught me that there are so many temporary distractions that are not important. We wear ourselves out for nothing. What really matters are the relationships we have with people. Those are eternal. Rich and famous people are often unhappy as they feel alone. They do not trust friendships. How blessed are we to be relatively anonymous and "nobody" on Earth! Andrew is on a fast track to heaven right now, and just sitting up to write blog posts or finish the book he is writing brings him immense pain and takes great strength. I encourage you to visit his blog and let him know you are praying for him and his wife, Barbara.

I'm past my five minutes, but we need alone time with God and we need fellowship with other Christians. If you put yourself on only one side of that, you will miss out. (though if you choose only one, I'd advise choosing isolating yourself and only being with God. :D )


And, here's Elvis. Really. It's Elvis singing "In The Garden".


~Tammy



 

19 comments:

  1. I really like that hymn too friend. We are never alone and I'm so thankful for that promise. When I was in college, Mom ended up in the hospital. I sent out a quick prayer request email to my camp friends. I was only in my room a few minutes when my dear friend was already calling me. Such a gift. I'm so thankful for community especially FMF. I love all of you! And Elvis, you cannot go wrong with Elvis!! I'm parked in the #9 parking spot this week friend.

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    1. :) Tara, oh your post was so moving this week.
      I'm glad you like that hymn too. Only this year have I really appreciated the early solitude of singing birds with just me and Him. I've always preferred the late evenings.
      He is transforming us to be like Him, and it's such a great thing!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  2. Thanks for your post. Isn't it cool how God gives us what/who we need when we need it? And that He was us to get alone with him, what sweet gift. -Visiting from FMF

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    1. Thank you Trey. And thank you for the visit! I'll try to find you over there. My friends and I have learned to list our linkup # in the comment, or just a direct post link as we can't always find each other in the group.
      ~Tammy

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    2. Sorry, Chelsea! :) Thank you again, and I'm so glad you visited so I could read your post too.
      ~Tammy

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  3. Oh my word, this song keeps popping up around me. this is the THIRD time this week. Hmm. I have come to love Andrew as well - every week, I look with eagerness for his FMF post. BTW, I went to the pre-party last night, second week in a row. Yes'm. FMF#25

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    1. Susan,
      how hip are you?! I'm so glad He's bringing you music. I'm even more grateful for what you shared in your post. Love you!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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    1. Charlotte, thank you! It was a pleasure to read your post as well! :)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  5. Hi Tammy, *so* glad you clicked through my link on FMF and, as a result, I've come to visit you (I do try to make a point of visiting everyone's post for each FMF but do sometimes miss people who've posted later than me; I must have missed you because of this, because I would certainly have re-visited your blog again and again as I love your writing!)...absolutely loved this post of yours. I totally agree: I have found such strength from the FMF community, and some special ladies in particular....(and I had to laugh, because I couldn't sleep last night and went to open my Bible at random, feeling He was trying to speak to me, and I opened it at 1 Peter 3 (your header!)....reading 1 Peter definitely helped me to work through *a lot* of things I've had on my mind recently...LOVE your writing....I will be a regular....loved Elvis's rendition!! (Thank you!)..Helen xx

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    1. Helen,
      thank you for such a beautiful compliment. I believe there were multiple encouragements in here and I thank you so much for them! It's so wonderful to be affirmed that when we share Scripture that He's speaking to others as well.

      You have blessed me today. And I meant what I said, I really enjoyed your post as well.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. Tammy, I love the direction you took! The old hymn, Elvis, tons of Scripture, reminding us of Andrew, and your own personal lonely experience in college. And yes, if we were to choose, we should choose God ;)
    I'm sure your days are busy now that school has started again, but I'm glad you're still able to join us! Maybe we'll BOTH be at the #fmf party next week (and then I won't be alone)!!!

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    1. Ruthie,
      thank you for summing up my myriad of "alone" thoughts! :D Yes, I will be busier with school but I believe I can still carve out Thursday for a bit of community. I doubt I will participate in the October 31 days though.
      And you're never alone, sweet, silly sister! :D
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. Tammy, I'm overwhelmed. The grace you've poured out in your heart and in your words came at exactly the right time for me to read them. All I can say is this -

    It's good not to be facing this alone. With God, and with so many dear friends, I am indeed the most fortunate and blessed man around.

    I think of the poem 'Footsteps'; though I may not be able to leave mine, I am carried by the full Body of Christ.

    And if it's not a presumption...the blood I lose is transfused by His. (I bet Jesus is an easy subject on which to find a vein; carpenters usually have veins like drainpipes, as I used to have.)

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    1. Andrew, wouldn't you know I was thinking about that very poem in my kitchen this morning. "It was then that I carried you."
      His timing is always manifest. I'm grateful that He allowed you to read those words today.

      I think His blood is radioactive. Remember that Moses glowed after spending time with God? So, you're going to be like a Ninja Turtle (not TeenAge, of course), and pretty soon you'll be glowing with all the Jesus-transfused blood in you.
      :D (Hoping you're smiling)
      For Christmas, if you're still here sparking life, I'll get you one of those gloworm toys.
      ~Tammy

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  8. Tammy, this is another beautiful post. I love the lyrics of the hymn- and I agree, it's often the times when we feel most alone that lead us to really seek God. Encouragement from others is so important too, and I am enjoying getting more involved in this FMF community and connecting with so many amazing people. Carly (#57)

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    1. Carly,
      oh thank you and thank you for visiting! And I can't wait to read your post, either! Thanks for your linkup number. It's so encouraging to be with all these friends. I believe I began in January, but I'd have to look to be certain. I have really grown through the fellowship and encouragement from so many talented writers. And, just letting God prompt me to write, letting His Spirit pour out through my fingertips, there are weeks where it's like electricity! (And weeks where I'm stymied by the word)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  9. Visiting from fmf :) you commented on my blog, crippledatYourtable today :)

    "What really matters are the relationships we have with people" God has definitely been showing me this this week. I read I think in a devotional, that relationships are what we take into eternity. Which has really made me thankful for the friends who have hurt with me & let me hurt with them. And rejoice with them It's such a precious gift. <3

    God bless you. Thanks for sharing this :)

    Julis

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    1. Julia* Apparently I was typing too fast...lol

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