HOME
Tuesday is the day for “Twittering Tales.” Last week I was too sick to participate, but I’m back this week with three different offerings. I’m imagining what thoughts of home the character in the photo might be thinking. Each week, Kat Myrman posts a photo prompt on her blog. The challenge is to come up with a story or poem using only 140 characters.
This week I have two short stories and some haiku. It’s a fun way to stretch your writing skills and use your imagination. With the “Twittering Tales” and the “magnetic” poetry I am having a lot of fun. Maybe you’d like to try it, too!
LEAVING HOME
With a lump in his throat he took one last look.
Saying goodbye was hard. Determined, he turned away.
He’d do his best and make them proud.
(137 characters)
THE BIG CITY
Big city awaits
Scary for this country boy
A new place and job
Her letters charmed him
For the first time they would meet
Would they hit it off?
(139 characters)
COMING BACK HOME
Would anyone recognize him? 16 years had passed!
Still, it was home. At least his mom would welcome him with a hug.
He was nervous but happy.
(139 characters)
HOME IS A WELCOMING PLACE
Home evokes different images for each of us. I remember the first time I went away to college. It was always so pleasant to come back to my family. After I got married, most of my life was lived pretty far away from my parents. Still, it was a lovely thing to come back and be welcomed by loving people.
Now I live in a log house. When we go away for a vacation and come back, the first thing that greets us is the smell of the wood. It gives me such a warm, welcoming feeling. Have you ever been away from home a long time? When you returned was it a welcoming place?
Sometimes we may wander from our place with God. It could be through a thought, following a wrong direction, or even being engaged in something good. When our constant activity keeps us away from spending time with our Savior, we can feel lost and confused.When our constant activity keeps us away from spending time with our Savior, we can feel lost and confused.
GOD ALWAYS WELCOMES US BACK
I’m so thankful that He always welcomes us back with open arms ready to forgive and set us on the right path again.
I have too long neglected my morning prayer time, because I’ve let other things creep in and take my attention. Last night I determined to make those times a priority again. I started with writing some prayers in my journal just before bed last night. This morning, even though I was tempted to go straight to my computer after breakfast, I went upstairs instead and had a blessed time of prayer with my Lord.
Does this mean I’ll always do the right thing? No, I’m sure I will struggle again, but knowing that each day is a new day full of God’s mercies, I know He will welcome me back. There is no need to worry or feel like a failure. I just need to remember I am a beloved daughter of God. These verses from Lamentations always give hope when I read them:
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22,23)
I’m linking up with: #CoffeeForYourHeart, #ThreeWordWednesday, #HeartEncouragement
Dear Gayl, These are such fun, short stories. I like how you envisioned both perspectives: leaving home, and coming back again. Both situations carry a bit of uncertainty with them. When my husband & I first married, we were very young, and neither of us had been away from home much. So, when we moved 12 hours away, it was a big adjustment. That first time returning home to visit our parents was such a huge blessing for us! Thanks for stirring up fun memories tonight! Love & Hugs to you!
Bettie, thank you so much for your comments! I definitely understand the feelings you had moving away so far. We did live our first year near my parents but the next we moved from FL to NH, and that is where our first child was born.
I’m glad I helped stir up some memories for you, Bettie. That’s always fun. 🙂
Blessings and hugs to you! xo
This picture and your poems make me think of the story of the Prodigal Son.
I hadn’t thought of that at first, Tara, but you’re right. That story is a beautiful picture of how God welcomes us home. I actually went in and added some to my post to include that thought.
Thanks for your continued encouragement, Tara! Many blessings to you! xo
Gayl, you conjure up such lovely images of home! I agree with Tara. There are definitely traces of the prodigal son story weaving through your words. Your poetry and prose really catch that sense of longing, leave-taking and return which most of us experience when we think about home. Great effort this week, my friend, even if you may feel like you’re not quite firing on all cylinders yet! May full healing come soon. Blessings and love. xox
Thank you, Joy, for your kind and encouraging comments! I always appreciate your words and they are uplifting. 🙂
Healing is coming though slowly. I still haven’t seen that precious grandbaby. Next week may be the earliest time. I want to make sure I’m not still coughing or feeling bad. Don’t want to make her sick.
Many blessings, hugs and lots of love to you, Joy! xoxo
I’ve not seen this challenge before but I like the idea! Your stories are wonderful.
Sorry that you were sick. I, too, was sick last week. Actually, our whole household was sick. What fun! ha! Glad you are feeling better.
Thanks, Mandy. It really is a fun challenge to do. You should check it out! 🙂
Sorry you were sick, too. Everyone here had it except for one of my sons. I sure hope he escapes it. Hope you are all better now!
Blessings to you!
I constantly need this reminder that I am daughter of God. I am so thankful for His love and patience with me. Thank you for sharing your short stories and haiku. I hope you have a lovely week.
I wonder why it is that we constantly need to remind ourselves that we are daughters of God. Is it so hard for us to believe? I’m so thankful that even though we need constant reminders, He never forgets and loves us through each day.
Thanks for visiting, Jolene! Blessings to you!
Great job, Gayl. I love stories!
Thank you, Karen! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Blessings to you!
I love your poems. I always have a hard time when the military moves us and we are in limbo because for at least a few weeks we don’t have a home and then we have to get used to our new home. So home for me is the people around me and I guess having Jesus with us where ever we go is a good reminder. 🙂
Thank you, Amanda. I’m sure it must be hard to be moved around so much. I’m glad you find home among friends. And, yes, Jesus is with us wherever we go. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Three interesting tales about leave taking and coming home.
Thanks, Lorraine! 🙂
Gayl, love the stories & poems! I’m thankful for home right now. I just got back a couple of hours ago after caring for my mom for 2 months. As that great theologian, Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home!”
Thank you, Donna! I’m glad you enjoyed them. I’m sure you’re exhausted from giving care to your mom, but I know it was a labor of love. May God give you rest now that you are home. Yes, Dorothy was right, wasn’t she? 🙂
Blessings to you!
Gail, what fun twittering tales! There’s no place like home. And I praise God that He always welcomes us home, no matter how far we’ve strayed from Him! Happy to be visiting from #heartencouragement–God bless!
Thank you, Christin! I’m glad you enjoyed the tales. 🙂 Yes, I’m so thankful God always welcomes us home.
Blessings to you!