Thursday, November 3, 2016

Journey: Five Minute Friday

Weekly, friends across the oceans and across the continental United States join together and write on a one-word prompt for five minutes without going back and fixing later. It is in this simple free-write community that I have made many deep eternal friendships. Our faith intertwines us like a brilliant tapestry of lives in different seasons, all brilliantly glorifying the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Want to know more? Go read all of our humble offerings at Kate's linkup.

The prompt this week?
"Journey"

A song came to mind, I'll link the video here. It's called "This Road" by Jars of Clay. I used to listen to this song on repeat when it first came out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z67TTVXi_BM


We are all journeying. I just turned 35 last month and am now legally eligible to run for the office of the President of the United States. I'm beginning to see why there is a minimum age requirement. Until you have lived for a time, you cannot quite see past the end of your own nose to the world around you and to see how your decision can affect so many others.

While content to make my mistakes in private, there is a realization of the immense undertaking we each have as adults. We are leaders. We are influencing our spheres within the world. Some peoples' journeys cross ours in a positive way and others in a negative way.
What we leave behind are our footprints. Our fingerprints. We are the hands and feet of Jesus.
But, are we leaving people longing for us or for Him? We will fade away. How we treat people will be long-lasting.

If I am kind because of Jesus, and I make it known that I love because He loved and loves still, then I am living out Romans 5:8.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11)

I want to travel my journey in such a way that others want to journey with me.
The woman described in Proverbs 31:25-26?
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.


That's who I am striving to become. Not for my glory, but that I would never take away from the reputation of Jesus and what His followers represent. We represent Him. We draw others to Him.

Blessings to you on your journey tonight!
Love,
Tammy

P.S. If you leave me a comment, please leave me your URL or linkup number from Kate's site. I don't have a way to find your post otherwise. :)


18 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday! I never knew about the age requirement for the Presidency, but it does make sense... and your post exudes wisdom of how to deal graciously and humbly with the people that surround us - so helpful!

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    1. :) Thank you, Emma.
      I'm very much enjoying your posts.
      Thank you for your encouragement! I still have much to learn.
      -Tammy

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  2. Oh friend, what a beautiful reminder. And I'm a huge Jars fan but I don't think I've ever heard this song before. Thanks for sharing it. Love you friend! I'm in the #8 spot this week.

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    1. Tara,
      love you too! This song was on the "City on a Hill" compilation album, which I really enjoyed in the early years of 2000. I was a college student.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. I love Jars of Clay but this song is a new one for me! I loved your post tonight girl. Amen.

    #11 FMF

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    1. Meg, thank you! I like them a lot as well, and this was on the "City on a Hill" compilation album which came out in the early part of the 2000s when I was a college student.
      Can't wait to read your post.
      -Tammy

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  4. Footprints, fingerprints....we are the hands of Jesus. Yes. In all that we do in our journey, we have that choice to show Jesus' love to others! http://musicalbitsandtechiebytes.blogspot.com/

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    1. Anne,
      thank you. I enjoyed your perspective on your post as well. That it's only by trusting God with our family and friends that we experience peace on our journey!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  5. You are my word hero. I feel like I visit you by way of Andrew's comments - but in reality it is the first time I've been at your house in a while. I'm glad I made the JOURNEY. Much love beautiful one. xo

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    1. Susan,
      ah sweet friend. On Andrew's posts, I seem to have a special word flow that God is giving me to bolster and encourage him. I don't usually get that much inspiration in my FMF posts with all my creative energy being used at school, but I thank you nonetheless.
      :)
      You are a dear friend and I'm thankful for you!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. As I read your words, I thought about the truth that others are watching us. They watch how we handle life's adversities, joys, triumphs and failures. How we respond to circumstances and to people speaks volumes to others. My prayer is that I respond in a way that points people to Jesus.

    LOVED your words today, my friend.

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    1. Jeanne,
      you bless me with your encouraging words.
      So glad to have read your post as well!
      And, I think you DO point people to Him. You can't help it!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. I like the song- I haven't heard this one before. So true that our journeys intersect and we can have a big impact on others for good or for bad. Thanks for this beautiful reminder that we should be seeking to bring joy to others on their journeys while always pointing them to Jesus. (#49)

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    1. Lesley,
      wa-hoo! 31 days is finished and you're back here posting again! :) Can't wait to read it!
      Thank you for taking that from what I wrote. It is the joy of the Lord that gives us strength when we have none, indeed.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  8. We both went to Romans this week. I'm sure that means something.

    I'd vote for you for President. All I'd ask in return is that you create a Cabinet position entitled "Secretary of Chocolate." I could fill that role very well.

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    1. Marie,
      you can be my Secretary of Chocolate. We need to be sure we never run out! :D
      I LOVED your translation of Romans in the Message! It is such a confusing book in the NIV, but new translations bring new light to me every time!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  9. "are we leaving people longing for us or for Him?" Oooph. Such conviction for me, as I struggle with issues of pride and ego. But don't we all, I suppose. It's reassuring to know that God already knows that about me and is still drawing me closer.
    Peace.
    Patricia (FMF#42)

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    1. Patricia,
      oh I struggle with them as well. I think that's why I write about them-because they seem so deep-rooted within me.
      What I know I should do is not what I do...Marie (at #1 this week) used the Message translation of Romans and it was so helpful to describe it for me.
      :) Thankful to be journeying with you this week!
      Love,
      Tammy

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