I’m jumping back on the bandwagon of Five Minute Friday with Kate and the gang. I have been away for a few weeks and now it’s good to be back. Kate gives us a word prompt and we write for 5 minutes. No overthinking just free write. If you’d like to join us, click here! Our word prompt this week is YES
GO
In the quietness of vacation and the stillness of those quiet days it’s easy to say “yes” to the promptings and the places He is leading.
But in the hustle and bustle and screaming schedule of activities crashing in we can get swept away by the wave of busy days and the “yes” whispered in prayer drifts out with the tide.
Fear has a way of keeping us quiet… keeping the keyboard silent. Comparison eats away at our confidence and soon we’ve said ‘no’ when all along He is calling us to say ‘yes.’
I’m learning to fight that fear and instead pounding out the keys in a rhythmic melody of words upon words. It’s getting it out and not holding back from Him who calls us. It’s walking forward with courage and trusting He knows the way.
He knows what’s ahead.
At the beginning of this year, the word impressed on my heart was “trust” I knew from that moment of surrender this was going to be a tough year. It’s been a year of not knowing. A year of stumbling along yet still moving forward.
Courage is not the absence of fear but continuing to move forward in spite of the fear. And even though we stumble and our feet slip, we will not fall because His right hand holds us and we can trust the One who walks beside us through this adventure.
It’s a walk of saying ‘yes’ even when the path seems obscure. It’s an attitude of leaning forward, pushing through and saying, “Wherever He leads… that’s where we’ll go.”
It’s difficult to lay out before Him our own plans and say, “Whatever you have, that’s what we want.” But it’s the life of surrendered obedience that leads us to place where our feet stand on firm ground.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the ones who delight in Him; though we may stumble, we will not fall, for the Lord upholds us with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
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Tripping Over Typeset 
Hi Rachel …
I love the visual of “yes” drifting out with the tide. The beach is my “safe place.” So this resonates with me. I also, dearly love, “saying yes to the keyboard.” This is difficult for me with a family full of teenagers … yet I must obey! Beautiful post! so encouraging!
Dianne
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Thank you, Dianne for jumping in and sharing! I hear ya on that teenager thing. I have 3 of my own and a 6 year old to boot so the fun just never ends! 🙂 Happy Friday to you!
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I love that Psalm 37, brings such peace and comfort to my heart right now. I also want to lay down my own plans and say yes to His. Not always easy to trust. May He give us grace!
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Amen, sister! Oh, how I’m learning that trust thing. He has good plans for us as we step out with His leading! Thanks for your encouraging words! Happy Friday to ya!
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Rachel, it is so easy to get pulled into the comparison game. Thank you for these words tonight. They remind me that we all have something unique to say. I’m parked in the 15 spot this week.
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Thanks, Tara! Heading over to your place to check in! Thanks for jumping in and sharing! Happy Friday to you!
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It’s great to see you here again! I missed you.
You’re so right, that courage is moving on in spite of fear. I lived in interesting times (in the Chinese interpretation of the word), but I never feared much…because I simply lacked the imagination.
The guys who were brave were the ones who’d go out on jobs, knowing there was a 70-80% chance they would not be back…and going anyway. I didn’t know how they did it, and still don’t.
I accepted death as the passage to Life a long time ago; it didn’t really matter, one way or the other, because Now was all I had, and I’d do my best. No imagination, and hence to courage required.
Does that make sense, Rachel?
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Yes, Andrew, that makes sense! And that is what I’m getting a hold of as well… I’ve got NOW right now so what am I doing it to make a difference and to move forward in living! Thanks so much for your kind words. I have been missing this place. I’m sorry I missed last week. I’m going back to hit that one on your blog! Take care and thanks for jumping in and sharing!
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I’ve been looking for you, Rachel! I love your water pics. And oh, I so identify with your trust issues and saying yes even though I feel like, “Why would anybody want to read what I have to say?” I get it. Your words matter though.
You have a wonderful way with expression. Keep on saying “yes”!
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Oh, thank you so much, Ruthie! With vacation, sending one off to college and getting ready for school my writing has taken a back seat but it’s time to get back in! Thank you for your kind words! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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Rachel, what a beautiful post. And, I confess, I’ve let fear stop me from saying Yes more often than I should. I love that you’re not letting fear stop you from writing, from sharing the words God gives you. I’m glad you’re back. I missed you.
Where are your pictures from?
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The pictures are at the lake across from where we live outside of Ithaca, NY so if you look at the last one in the very distance you can see the town/city where we live. I took these pictures on our day off about a month ago. It takes me about 30 minutes to get there from my house. We live on the opposite shore. It’s a beautiful place!
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Amen, my friend! I often confuse courage with the absence of fear–It’s easy to do things that don’t scare me and call myself courageous. It’s not so easy to do what scares me. I’m glad to see you back and I pray that you find the courage to say yes to what scares you. God has your six ;).
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Thanks, Anita! It’s good to be back!
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I appreciate how you make the connection between comparison and saying “no” when we should say “yes.” So often holding my words up to the words of others keeps me from typing, from publishing. From letting my voice be heard. I think, “Her voice is better. His voice is more educated.” And it stops me.
Thank you for reminding us that we must shove the comparing aside and follow where God leads!
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You are welcome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and words with us! Happy Friday and weekend! Thanks for jumping in! 🙂
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Hi Rachel thanks for those encouraging words. I always find September is more like a new start than New Years is. Probably because school starts and all the Church programs get started. God seems to be reminding me that it is about listening for His voice and following His leading. Just like disciples I want to put down my net and follow Him!
Obedience brings peace!
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Yes, I agree… obedience brings peace and obedience brings blessing! What a good truth to hold onto through the struggle and waiting period. Thank you for jumping in and sharing!
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Simply…yes
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Thanks, Tondra! And thanks for jumping in and sharing!
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This right here: “But it’s the life of surrendered obedience that leads us to place where our feet stand on firm ground.” That resonates with me because I’ve been saying no and haven’t felt like I was on solid ground at all!! Thanks, Rachel!
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I hear you Holly! May we learn to say ‘yes’ to Him so much better than we do! Thanks for stopping by and jumping in!
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