Five Minute Friday

Right

Karen Brown11 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt, then link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers having fun and sharing their short take on one word. This week’s prompt is: Right

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash

I was so sure of everything. Convinced I was right.

The lines seemed so clear. So black and white.

My angles were sharp. My convictions strong.

My side of the tracks. The right side of the tracks. The other’s wrong.

Hard bargains and wedges. Lines in the sand.

Always this or that. Up or down. In or out. Never and.

So blind. So much pride. So little empathy. Such fragility.

Until God’s grace. Jesus. Increased love. Humility.

Path

Karen Brown7 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is:  PATH

 

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It stresses me out to imagine my life as a path. Continue reading →

Present

Karen Brown15 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is:  PRESENT

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The best present I ever got was a used pencil with a broken tip.

It was my first year teaching and the last day of the semester. My second graders and I had learned a lot together since August and we were all ready for a break.

“You have five minutes to pack up your backpacks,” I warned, and walked to the bus list on my desk.

I turned back at a tug on my sweater. Continue reading →

Give Me A Word… Any Word

Karen Brown8 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is: CHOOSE YOUR OWN! 

 

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“Choose your own word”, she tweeted. “Just pick any word and write about it for five minutes.” Continue reading →

Find

Karen Brown16 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is FIND.

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“Hey, Mom! Can we stop and get that cat?”

I slowed the van, alarmed by their tone and asked, “Why?”

“We just saw a sign back there about a lost black cat. It’s probably looking for its home. Please?! ”

Ugh. Seriously?  Continue reading →

Try

Karen Brown18 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is TRY.
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Continue reading →

Ten Things the Church Can Learn from Quik Trip

Karen Brown24 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is TEN.  528f104c00ade.image A few years ago, a Quik Trip was built one block away from our house. With each visit, I’m more impressed by the way they do things. Many times, I’ve thought about what the church could learn from them … Continue reading →

Free

Karen Brown18 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is FREE. 

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“Is this free?”

Her big brown eyes grew wide as she pushed the CD in my face. Sweat, sugar, and water balloons had plastered her blond bangs to her forehead. Her voice was a bit too loud after our “God’s Plan 4U” concert.

I switched my focus from her face to the pink jewel case.

FREE? My mind flashed to the hours spent hanging decorations, gathering supplies, organizing volunteers, and burning those CDs. That little girl didn’t know she was holding the blood, sweat, and tears of many hard-working VBS volunteers. I would never let on how tired and sore I was. She would never understand all that was spent for that digital give-away. Continue reading →

Dream

Karen Brown2 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is DREAM.

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I had a dream I was flying.

In the air, I saw old friends and dodged hissing snakes. When I tried to scream, my teeth fell out, but I couldn’t catch them with my feathered hands. Then, I turned a corner and plummeted to the ground, waking up just before I met my death on the rocks below.

Dreams don’t obey laws of physics, or reason. They reach backward and forward until we lose sense of when we are and mock our bondage to time. Continue reading →

Fear

Karen Brown16 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is FEAR.

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Come, Lord Jesus.

I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.

Bad things happen, and we want it all to end. No more violence. No more anger. No more grief.

Come, Lord Jesus.

We say it when we are afraid of things getting worse. Let’s call it a day. Let’s call it a life. Let’s cut our losses and go home. Continue reading →

My Father’s World

Karen Brown17 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is WORLD.

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A playground crawling with kids, blue swings, and the mommy bench.

A dark alley covered with garbage, homeless men, and the drug dealer.

This is my Father’s World.

Cowboy birthday parties with cupcakes, party favors, and innocence galore.

Teenage pool parties with suspicious minds, unjust rage, and ten steps back.

This is my Father’s World. Continue reading →

Rise

Karen Brown20 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is RISE.

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When the morning alarm sounds, sometimes I think I’d seriously sell my soul to just stay under the covers.

Where it’s warm, dark, and quiet. Where I don’t have to face the demands of the day. Where I can block out the pressure, the stress. Where life can’t reach me and I can just be. Continue reading →

MEET

Karen Brown15 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is MEET.

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Bacon, burgers, Thanksgiving turkey, filet mignon.

I love it all. I don’t know how vegetarians do it with their soy burgers and tofu…

It’s at the center of the table and the highlight of the meal. It’s at the heart of the grill and the way into the hearts of manly men. Continue reading →

The Door

Karen Brown6 Comments

It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt was DOOR.

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This is not what was supposed to happen…not what he planned.

He stumbled down the road, stinking from pride and poor decisions.

He had tried to make a name for himself, but ruined his reputation and his future instead. Continue reading →

Relief

Karen Brown16 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together
at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: RELIEF

There’s always something.

It never ends.

It’s one thing after another.

I hear it all day long. Life’s a bxxch. The struggle is real. Come, Lord Jesus.

Continue reading →

Good

Karen Brown12 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together
at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: GOOD

My husband came home and asked, “How was your day?”

My mind flashed to the tantrums, spilled cereal, dog vomit, and leaking dishwasher. But I heard my mouth say, “Good. It was a good day.” Continue reading →

Break

Karen Brown11 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together
at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: BREAK

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When I was little, I wished I would break a bone. For real. I wished I had a fantastic story to tell about how I was rushed to the emergency room, about how the doctors weren’t sure they could fix me, and about how I was brave through it all. I actually prayed for it for a while, then I took matters into my own hands. Continue reading →

Wait

Karen Brown2 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. 
It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: WAIT

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We sit in waiting rooms and wait in line. We wait for our plane, our elevator, and our turn. And it all seems so passive, so idle, so … boring.  Continue reading →

Share

Karen Brown11 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. 
It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: SHARE

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love Jesus. I grew up going to church and praying in my bed every night. I’ve spent long hours at the foot of the cross and on my knees. I’m sure of God’s love and His saving Grace. But I’ve wondered…

Is there a share just for me? 

Continue reading →

Send

Karen Brown17 Comments
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site.
It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: SEND
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My oldest daughter is a rock climber. What a sport. It takes incredible strength, obviously, but it also takes much patience and strategy. Much like chess, each move must be carefully anticipated and calculated. It’s also a sport that has its own vocabulary. I learned that they don’t say, “I made it to the top.” Instead, they say, “I sent the route.”

Continue reading →

Welcome

Karen Brown10 Comments

Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: WELCOME

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His enemies tried to trap Him.

His hometown people turned their backs.

His family kept their distance,  Continue reading →

Dear Humility

Karen Brown10 Comments
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: DEAR

 

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Dear Humility,

Should we break up? We’re not clicking lately. Continue reading →

Give

Karen Brown5 Comments
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: GIVE

Recently, I had to renew my driver’s license. Just the thought of going to the DMV makes me on edge. I checked the list of forms I needed to bring and grumbled to myself about how, even though I’ve got everything on the list, they’ll probably find something that I’m missing. That’s just how they are, I thought. Continue reading →

Notice

Karen Brown21 Comments
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Maybe it’s partly my imagination. Maybe I’m hyperaware and just noticing something that was already there, but it’s there regardless.

The lady in the grocery store strikes up a conversation with me about pomegranates. She looks me in the eye longer than I expect. She smiles warmly and lets her black hand linger on my arm. Continue reading →

Still

Karen Brown15 Comments
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  STILL

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Last week, my daughter came home from school frustrated. There had been a substitute teacher in one of her classes, and evidently this one was pretty high-strung and hopped up on fear… understandable for middle-school. My daughter reported that the sub was demanding silence during a time when the students are “always  allowed to work together” (my daughter’s version). One of the boys in the back of the class responded by mumbling, “Oh, boy” and the teacher thought he said something about ebola.  Continue reading →

Turn

Karen Brown15 Comments
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  TURN
If I’m honest I’ll have to admit that I want a turn to be beautiful. I want my turn … to be attractive and glorious. If I’m honest…

I push that away, telling myself that it’s pride and self-absorption to want those things. Continue reading →

Long

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for process. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  LONG
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Why does it take so long?

I want to change, but it’s been another day with my same old struggles.

Every once in a while, things feel different and I think I’ve “turned a corner” in my journey, but it’s merely just a bend in the longest road. Continue reading →

Care

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for process. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  CARE



I fished for a compliment and I didn’t get it, and I had to fight back tears.

Traffic and poor planning made me late, and my hands clenched in rage. 
On that very same day, boys got shot, people were tortured, and unborn babies were murdered… 
and I hardly paid attention.
God tells me to cast all my cares on Him. I used to think He was just being thoughtful… wanting to take my cares so that my burden could be lighter.  Continue reading →

New

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for process. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  NEW


What a brat. The kid was whiny, hyper, and disobedient. His mom seemed exhausted, shut-down, and  used to it.

She and I were both waiting in a small, echoey lobby for play practice to end. Clearly, she was there to pick up her oldest child and I was there to do the same for my youngest.

I watched her ineffectively and un-creatively try to change her young child’s behavior. “Stop,” she would say weakly to his back as he laughed and ran out of her reach.

“You said I could play on your phone!” he whined, looking around the room to see who was watching his performance.

“I told you… it ran out of battery, you can play tomorrow.” Her words were part of one, long, robotic sigh. Continue reading →

Because

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for process. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt:  BECAUSE


Why do I read my Bible, pray, and go to church?
Why do I cook meals for my family and clean house?
Why do I teach my kids manners, good habits, and life skills?
Why do I care what Continue reading →

Ready

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for process. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: READY. 

Over the years, I’ve started to believe that being “ready” means that my hard deadlines have been met and that my plans are air-tight.

I’ve taught my kids to “be ready” by having their teeth brushed, lunches packed, and shoes on. Continue reading →

Whisper

Karen Brown1 Comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for much planning or revising. We write quickly, then post, a flash-mob linking together at Kate Motaung’s site. It’s fun!
This week’s prompt: WHISPER. 
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Friends share secrets
Lovers promise hearts 
It’s the breathy talk of intimacy,
And it’s how God speaks to me. Continue reading →

Finish

Karen BrownLeave a comment
Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for much planning or revising. We write quickly, then post, linking together at LisaJo’s site  
This week’s prompt: FINISH. 
 
 
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The Finish Line’s stretched thin.
Tightly strung, with tension within.
The runners strain and push hard,
Reaching out, and hoping to win. Continue reading →

Bloom

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Each week, we write for five minutes, freely, on a one-word prompt. No time for much planning or revising. We write quickly, then post, linking together at LisaJo’s site  
This week’s prompt: BLOOM. 
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The bloom gets the attention.

It has the color, the shape, and the smell.

It gets the camera’s focus and the lover’s touch.

But the bloom isn’t worthy… Continue reading →

Belong

Karen Brown1 Comment

This post is part of a Five Minute Friday linkup. A one-word prompt is given and we write, freely, for five minutes, then post. This week’s prompt: Belong.

A quick question.

140 characters.

Just shoot me a text.

Just a short visit.

I won’t keep you.

I’ll make it quick.



We have been trained to take no time. Continue reading →

Lost

Karen BrownLeave a comment
This post is part of a Five Minute Friday linkup. A one-word prompt is given and we write, freely, for five minutes, then post. This week’s prompt: Lost.
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A young athlete redefines himself as a son of the King after his health is lost.

A new mother learns to trust in Him when her ability to control is lost.

A workaholic engages with his family after his job is lost.

We clamor, grip, and strive to win, but usually, it’s in the losing that we find what we’re looking for. Continue reading →

Release

Karen BrownLeave a comment
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Every morning it comes streaming in with the sun.

The list of tasks, the demands, the deadlines, the expectations.

My enemy pumps it in. Filling up my space, invading my mind, pushing on my soul, taking away my breath.

The pressure.

I try to manage it with Continue reading →

Messenger

Karen BrownLeave a comment


Pheidippides was a hero in Ancient Greece. It has been told that he ran from Marathon to Athens in under 36 hours to deliver the news of a military victory over the Persians to the magistrates who were anxious about the results of the battle. He delivered the news, then collapsed to his death. 

Whether this story is true, or merely a myth, is debatable. But you can’t argue with the fact that it touches us all. Continue reading →

Hands

Karen BrownLeave a comment
 

“What happened here?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I cut it while fixing the gutter.”

I rubbed my eight-year-old fingers along yet another deep groove in my father’s finger.

We drove in the car. It was before air bags, and I got to sit in the front and hold his hand.  It was our father-daughter ritual when sent on a grocery run.

I loved how I felt small and safe with my hand in his. I rubbed my smooth girl-fingers along his palm. The countless calluses and cuts were evidence of his hard work taking care of our family.

My dad’s weekend hands fixed, built, and lifted.

My dad’s nighttime hands held my mom.

My dad’s early morning hands pressed my back when I heard his voice, “I’m crazy about you.”

As a teenager and young adult, my dad’s hands had to withhold privileges or set boundaries.

Occasionally, my dad’s hands rescued me and paid my debts.

My dad’s hands pointed me to the Father. Because of the work of his hands, I recognized the work of the Lord.

And later, as my hands slipped from his, it seemed so natural to cling to Another’s pierced and callused hands.

Hands whose work is always to restore, and never to destroy.

Hands that I can trust to hold me up.

Hands that apply pressure from a crazy kind of love.

Hands that fence me in for my protection.

Hands that reached down to meet me. To rescue me and pay my debt.

And there, in the palm of His hand, I’m a child again. Small, safe, and loved.

Happy Father’s Day!

Nothing

Karen BrownLeave a comment

Hi Everyone- I’m linking up at five minute Friday and writing unhindered, for five minutes on this one-word prompt: “Nothing”.

here goes…

Go.












What’s wrong?

Nothing.

You seem upset. Are you sure nothing’s wrong?

I’m sure. Nothing.

Okay.

You think you’ve shared nothing, friend, but I’ve heard you loud and clear.

Because I know you, I can hear nothing and listen.

You have shared your life with me for many years, so now I can make something out of your nothing.

Another day, you might be able to turn your nothing into words. But today, you don’t have to.

Today, I will give my presence, understanding, and prayer.

And what do you need to give?

No words. No explanation. No pretending.

Nothing, friend.

And you will still have my everything.

Stop