Singing the blues

Here in the UK we seem to have an endless fascination with the weather.

Which way is the wind blowing? Will or won't it rain? 

Do I need a brolly? Better carry one just in case.

It's a great conversation opener and very much the topic du jour. 

On a day when we've had sheeting rain, clear blue skies and everything in-between it feels apt to be writing on the topic of 'Blue' for today's Five Minute Friday exercise.

START...

Life is threaded through with colour and hues that offer our eyes a different view.

There are so many days that shade neutral pale, indistinct amidst the gloom.

Interminable as sheeting rain cascading down our windowpane.

I find myself blazing angry-red, firing hot with searing heat and temper rays 

or surging strong into orange with surprising energy on better M.E days.

Many are spent in a dark, black tent of pain or grey-fog 

swirls of cognitive loss and discouragement.

The days I lean toward, the ones I prefer above all other are the royal purple patterned,

the sunny yellows and the glades of green, the calm of blue seen in heaven's canopy.

Aaahh, blue...

Blue is a bold rise of turquoise, a soft scene of aquamarine, a steal

of teal, a crisp, bright bolt of cobalt or a mellow azure light.

Blue means rest, coming apart to be a part of the calm of God's heart.

Blue means sweet soul-ease, still pools of peace to dip fretful toes into.

Blue signals less stress, less worry and hurry, expansive skies and less heart-sad cries.

Blue is contentment of warm sunny spells and a daily cloud-gift of God saying all is well.

Blue is indigo deep, mystical and magical as night softly creeps.

I won't let myself sink into 'the blues' today but appreciate

the nuances at play in the varied hues as they come my way.

STOP.

Well that was fun! It's good to write something less deep for a change.

Do stop by at Kate's place and check out the what other writers have to say about 'blue'. Who knows, you may be tempted to join in too.

Rest

In place of the usual offerings here, I am starting a new venture for me as I link up for the first time with Five Minute Friday.

This is a real challenge of grit and courage as I am a perfectionist (working on that one) who normally writes and writes, edits and edits...writes... until I am happy with something and ready to publish it. 

Even then, it goes our with heart-in-mouth concern and angst, heavily dosed with prayer.

Now, I have to write for 5 minutes flat on the subject of 'Rest' - no editing, no over-thinking, no backtracking. Deep breath..you can do this..here goes..start the clock..

In a life constrained by chronic sickness it may seem that resting is all I do.

Though my body may be still and inactive for long periods, my mind is an ever-whirring clock ticking on relentlessly.

Times of real rest and refreshment only come when I pause to soak in God's presence.

With His Spirit hovering within and without me I find my thoughts calmed and stilled.

He becomes my focus. 

Other concerns fade and pale into insignificance for those few moments of connection.

During the day I snatch hungrily at little seconds of conversation. 

Our souls need the restful watering of His love and grace that He desires to pour upon us.

We are dry, empty, thirsty vessels without it. 

The world's cacophony, noise and chaos only serve to drain us of peace and rest.

Come away - sit with Him and learn to be still and know that He is God. 

You won't regret finding an oasis of calm in the midst of busyness...

Phew! Clock stopped. Adrenaline subsiding. Doesn't the time go quickly? Five minutes feels so short. Nevertheless, something is written and I hope it will bless you.

Linking up here with Lisa-Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday blog hop.

Do hop over and join in the fun!'