Five Minute Friday: Real
You know the rules. Write from your heart. Five minutes. Link up to the rest.
Real
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The whole of my life, all of the separate parts intertwined to make this chaotic and beautiful mosaic, have been ordained by my God in heaven.
Whenever I begin to wonder about my virtual impact from the pecking of my fingers on a keyboard, I merely need to shift my focus a little closer to home. I see the faces of my students flashing across my mind. The happy smiles, the excitement of fifth grade band members as they play together for the first time, and then I see them again in my eyes as seniors, wearing cap and gown. Eight years of love, music, and life have crossed between them and me.
When they visit me on their break from college, or email or text to tell me that they miss me, it is then that I am reminded that all of my quirks, and personality and habits were tailor made to be pouring out my life into these precious students.
My mission field.
Here, on the internet, I am exercising the muscles of my faith. Calling on the presence of my Savior and finding kindred in every corner. My words flow from the depth of my soul, and my deepest aspiration is for true authenticity. Being real about the big God I serve, and the very real struggles with feeling left out, overwhelmed, under-prepared, ill-equipped and over-tired that I face every day.
And if I am doing it right, then HE is the one who gets the Glory.
And there is nothing more real than that.
{STOP}
I can truly sense your realness when I visit here. Love your words!
Barbie,
What a tremendous compliment.
Thank you SO much.
-Meredith
Take 2 . On my iPad and I missed the check mark! Pim real . Honest! Beautifully honest! One of the reasons we love you!
Beth recently posted..Daring to Catch Up with the Joy Dare
Bethie…
YOU are the reason I have one of those checkmark boxes… Hahaha.
Silly girl.
Thanks for taking the time (TWICE) to comment.
I love you.
Wow. I didn’t know you were a band teacher! That is so awesome. My daughter has had the same choir teacher since the 7th grade. She is now in the 11th grade. Because this teacher has had these same students since junior high, he has created an amazing community among them. And they are awesome!
What a beautiful ministry you get to be a part of. I am certain that you students are SO blessed to have you! And thank you for sharing your own journey to real~journey to authenticity~with us. We are blessed as well.
Denise J. Hughes recently posted..What Real Really Looks Like
It is magical.
I am grateful every day to go and do what I do.
What an awesome, awesome life!!
You are such a blessing to me!
*hugs*
Thank you.
Beautiful post. My band director was my favorite teacher. Even when he threw drumsticks. He was passionate!
Sam @ Sam’s Noggin recently posted..Shadows
The kids STILL talk about the time that I threw an expo marker . . .
*sigh*
Meredith recently posted..5MF – REAL: When I Wonder About My Impact
Oh you are speaking to my heart again! How I long to have it all figured out…but then, I suppose, where would my real strength lie? In myself? And God says, “Not yet my child, not until I call you home.” It’s a big job we have on us, thankful indeed for finding kindred online, for prayers, lifting each other up, sharing each other’s burdens…now if only it could be in REAL LIFE all the time
–” And God says, “Not yet my child, not until I call you home.” ” —
Wow, Lauren.
Wow.
Exactly.
And YES, I wish it could be face to face in real life all the time.
*pout*
Again. Your writing blesses me!!!
Kristi recently posted..February…already?
<3 <3 <3
I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
I love your authenticity! Beautifully written.
I love yours!
Thank you, friend of my heart.
Be blessed today!!
<3
amen! all for His glory.
have a blessed weekend!
steph
For His glory, and His alone. (Although I admit I keep wanting it and have to keep surrendering.)
But without Him, none of this would BE.
Thank you for the reminder…
Have a wonderful day!
Oh, Meredith! I love your words, and your honesty.
“the very real struggles with feeling left out, overwhelmed, under-prepared, ill-equipped and over-tired that I face every day.”. —- you could be talking about me!
You are amazing…. And you fo have an impact!
Keep being real.
Michelle recently posted..Thinking Out Loud
Thank you, sweet friend. God has blessed me so much in my kindred friends online. Hoping and praying for that face-to-face connection to come soon!
I too, often wonder if my writing is making a difference. Your post is a powerful reminder that my responsibility is to be faithful and leave the results up to God. And He is to get the glory, not me. His fame increasing is to be the goal, not my own. Thank you for your transparency, Meredith. Many blessings! ~ Shannon
Oh friend,
Thank you so much for the reminders in YOUR words.
Be blessed today!!
-Meredith