The Five Minute Friday prompt for this week is the word control. The idea is to set a timer and write for five minutes on whatever the word brings to your mind. Now I rarely set a timer, but I do watch the time on my computer. [bctt tweet=”Sometimes it is easy to write a good post. Other times I don’t really like what comes out.” username=”GaylWright”] I have a hard time writing without editing, but the idea here is to have fun. So write I shall and we’ll see what happens with this week’s prompt.
GO:
Three days of lying in bed, fever messing with my brain, body full of aches, a red face and unrelenting sinus pressure. To top it off the first night my stomach decided to empty its contents in a most unethical way. I’ll spare you the gory details, but let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
Talk about not being in control!
There was none. I hardly knew what was going on for those three days. My husband and son had already been through it so I knew that the fever would probably break in three days, but I couldn’t guarantee it.
You know so often we think we have everything under control. [bctt tweet=”We’ve made plans and they all fall into place nicely, until they don’t. ” username=”GaylWright”]You see, I was planning to go stay with my daughter for a few days to help out with my newborn granddaughter. But that was not to be. I haven’t even seen her yet!
Someone Else Holds the Reins
And when we stop to realize that even when we think we are in control we really are not, we finally are ready to admit that someone else holds the reins. Because whether good things happen or bad, God is still the One who holds everything together.
(Stop)
You and I may not like the idea that we are not in control, but that doesn’t change the fact. I actually find more freedom in knowing that things don’t depend on me. Even if I mess up, God can still fix what is broken and make things turn out right. My job is to trust Him and keep doing what I know to do. [bctt tweet=”Knowing that I am held by God gives me the confidence I need to pursue my dreams.” username=”GaylWright”]
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13)
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #FreshMarketFriday, #Faith’nFriends
This reminds me of the comment I read somewhere in relation to how much we have messed up or what God can fix and the answer was “we don’t have that much power.” It’s true and you did such a good job of sharing that thought. God is in control. Hope you are feeling a lot better by now! – Lori, #72 at FMF
It’s true about not having that much power though we sometimes think we’ve messed up beyond repair. But nothing is beyond the repair of our God. Thank you for your thoughts and your encouragement. Blessings to you!
Feel better soon! You need to get better to you can snuggle and meet that new grand baby. I’m in the 11 spot this week.
Thanks, Tara. I am feeling much better today. Hopefully I will get to see her next week! 🙂
Blessings to you!
Yes, God is always in control and I’m forever grateful for that. Beautiful words! Glad you are feeling better.
Thank you, Mary! I appreciate your encouragement. Blessings to you!
Amen… I love knowing that I am not in control… I have to do my part –but like you said, if I mess it up – He is always right there, holding the reigns afterall! (Hope you are feeling better!)
It’s very freeing, isn’t it, Karrilee? Thanks for coming by and for your encouragement. Yes, I am feeling better, thank you. 🙂 Blessings to you!
I have had illness knock me off my feet a couple of times this season. Its so hard to just watch my to-do list slip away, but I think it was a forced rest. I am definitely learning to let go a bit!
That debilitating illness is no fun, and it is hard to realize our to-do lists are not getting done, until we realize how much we needed the rest. It’s not easy to let go, and sometimes we have to be forced, as in an illness, but it turns out to be the best thing for us. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa. Sorry it took awhile to reply. For some reason it had your comment in the spam section. I remedied that very quickly when I saw it.
Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl, I am thankful you are feeling better, and hopefully able to see that new Grandbaby very soon! I sure understand that feeling of losing the control we “think” we have. 🙂 But your words are so true–it’s so much better to rest in God’s control. I am trying to learn more about that, during these days of “stillness.” Blessings to you dear “Grandma” friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, Thank you for being such and encouraging friend and fellow writer. 🙂 I am blessed by your presence here. And from one grandma to another, let’s enjoy those beautiful grandbabies God has so lovingly given us. 🙂
It’s a hard lesson to learn – that of resting in God’s control – but oh how much better off we are as we take those baby steps to rest in Him.
Blessings to you, dear sister/friend! xoxo
There is peace in knowing in our hearts that God is in control. I wish more people were aware of that.
Great post.
Dropping by from FMF
Hope you feel better soon.
Yes, I agree and wish others were more aware of it, too!
Thanks for much for dropping by, Kelly. I am feeling much better though still on the mend.
Blessings to you!
Yes, God is certainly in control, and how clear that becomes when health falters. Your neighbor at #fmf
Sarah, you are so right. Nothing like sickness to let you know you are not in charge! So glad we can trust God, who is in charge and is faithful.
Blessings to you and thanks for visiting!
Gayl, even in your feverish state of flu-induced grogginess, you have still managed to produce a beautiful, thoughtful post. Being out of control and yielding purely to Holy Spirit inspiration can surprise as well as awe us sometimes! I especially loved these words: “I actually find more freedom in knowing that things don’t depend on me. Even if I mess up, God can still fix what is broken and make things turn out right. My job is to trust Him and keep doing what I know to do.” Amen, dear friend! I’m praying you will become strengthened and feel much better soon. This time last year I was in your shoes, so my heart goes out to you in your suffering. Blessings of rest and peace to you as you recover. xo
Joy, you are so good at lifting my spirits and bringing encouragement! Thank you so much for your comments and for your prayers. You are a thoughtful friend. I love what you said here, “Being out of control and yielding purely to Holy Spirit inspiration can surprise as well as awe us sometimes! ” You are absolutely right!
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a beautiful comment. Many blessings to you dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
It’s comforting knowing I am not in control! I just need to keep reminding myself:)
Yes, it helps to keep reminding ourselves. It is a comfort to know that God will accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world. 🙂
Blessings to you, Crystal!