Every Friday, my friend Lisa-Jo hosts a link up at her place. The rules are simple: set your timer for five minutes and write from the one-word prompt she gives. No editing. No over-thinking. Just write. It’s a great way to cure writer’s block. Or at least to loosen things. Today’s prompt is graceful. Go.
Sometime last week, I typed graceful into images on Google and waited to see what popped up. Mostly, it was dancers. Swans. A few other kinds of birds.
I have in mind my own definitions, not many of them having to do with dancing. At least, not anymore.
So what does it mean to live a graceful life?
After I typed graceful into images, I tried to think of the opposite. Graceless? Clumsy? I finally landed on stressful. So I typed it in.
Mostly, it’s cartoons with smoke coming out of their drawn-on ears. Cats with their hair sticking straight up. Women biting their laptops. People with their heads down, brows furrowed.
Is it possible to learn to err on the side of graceful in my soul? I’m learning what that means, what it feels like, and sounds like. I’ve done a lot of circling around this word. I’ve tripped over it, run from it, and finally, fallen into it. Maybe that’s the most graceful move of all.
What do you have to say about the word graceful in five minutes or less? Write it up and join Lisa-Jo.
“Falling into graceful in my soul”, that gentle and quiet spirit that Jesus finds precious. Yes! My exterior is all clumsy and tripping, but inside my soul is gracefulness. Thank you for writing, thank you for your time and gifts poured out.
I just love your way with words.
Graceful. Indeed.
And that last line got me… I’m going to be thinking about it all day, for sure.
I’m still finding out what that word graceful really means. But maybe the definition alludes us until we look at him in the eyes one day. I’m sure in that stance, we’ll truly grasp it. So glad you joined FMF Emily. I know you girls are having a great time together at the beach. I’m thinking of you a bit down shore.
Shelly Miller´s last [type] ..Geese, Girlfriends and Graceful Gifts
I love that link up idea.
Way back when I was teaching 2nd grade, one of our nightly homework assignments was to “write for 15 minutes”. For a second grader, that’s a long time. For a 41 year old, that’s a long time.
When I was 7 years old, that would have been a really hard assignment for me but I think it would have been healthy for this math/science girl.
Might head off to the link up……
Kristin S´s last [type] ..InstaFriday #6
yes…I have longed struggle with grace too…I have tripped…climbed…strived to find it…to live it…but God in His mercy…continued to woo me into His Love…a Love I had never trusted…a Love I had twisted up…so thankful for HIs patience…and He is a wonderfully kind husband who will always come for me…and finally I too fell…right into His loving arms…where I could abide…and Grace could now be seen…all it beauty toward me…and now I long to share that beauty with others. blessings to you…I am looking forward to getting book for my daughter.
r.elliott´s last [type] ..To Be Gray and Graceful
It is so interesting to hear all the different concepts and ideas that the word graceful brings to mind. For me it was a graceful, elegant woman and then the unmerited favor of God. Wonderful post. Have a fabulous day
Kathleen´s last [type] ..Graceful
I love the imagery of falling into grace! You’re right, that would be the most graceful move of all.
I agree – Lisa-Jo’s 5 minute Fridays does help with writer’s block. It’s uncanny how I can apply the word she chooses to what I’ve been thinking about all week long …
Jerralea´s last [type] ..Grace-full
I love being in all this together with you Emily. You are both graceful and gracious. You are a gift. Also, super funny?
Lisa-Jo@lisajobaker´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday: Graceful
It is always a joy{ chatting at the sky}! Thank you for opening your heart for the world to see and for being instrumental in changing young women’s lives. I honor this “Graceful” work you are doing!
Grace is a passion of mine as well. I recently began a blog called “Grace {Illustrated}” and would love to share my expression of Grace with you. Please visit: http://graceillustrated.me
Thank you, again, for allowing God’s Grace to flow through you and out into the world.
My best.
Paula Barnett
Yay! Two of my VERY favorite blogger/writer/Incouragers writing on and for each other this week…. #MyCupRunnethOverAsIDoAHappyDance
Lindsey van Niekerk´s last [type] ..The Community I Did Not See Coming