When I approach a new challenge, I feel the excitement. This time, however, I feel like a failure as I think about joining the 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge hosted by Kate Motaung.
Summer overwhelmed me and kept me from posting regularly. How am I supposed to succeed in this challenge? I found my answer when I reread a wonderful book this week, A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. In the book, the old man, Crane-man, encourages the young protagonist, Tree-ear, as he embarks on an impossible journey that will take many long days over rough terrain.
“I am going to Songdo … It seems so far away,” Tree-ear tells his mentor.
Crane-man responds, “Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk. One day, one village. That is how you will go, my friend.”
Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed too thinking about accepting the challenge. Writing can daunt and tire. It takes a commitment to a journey of writing one word at a time, one post at a time. I adhere to this philosophy as I begin my month-long challenge. I hope you will join me as I make writing every day a journey of faith and discovery. You can find my landing page for my 31 Days of Free Writes here.
Now, on to our weekly linkup. First, please follow me on your social media. I love to hear from you: Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/ Instagram/Google+.
Next, lets review last week’s linkup.
Last Week’s Top Clicked
Bettie writes poetically about the pain she to which often feels forced to bow, but she shines hope for all that Jesus defeats our pain and our wounds. He heals and binds us to Him. Don’t miss this wonderful post.
My Favorite Post
I recommend putting Rebecca Hastings blog on your weekly must-read list, and this post illustrates why. We all have to-do lists that can overwhelm us and make us feel like failures. Rebecca encourages us to make a better list in this uplifting, not-to-miss post.
Remember to grab your button if I have featured you:
Now, it is time to link up to the Literacy Musing Mondays hop!
Linkup Rules:
- Include a link back or the blog hop button linked to this hop on your posts.
- Link up the URLs to your posts, not to your blog.
- Please remember this is a family-friendly linkup. Although we believe in the right for adults to read whatever they want to read, we prefer to read wholesome posts that feature literature that edify and uplift families. We reserve the right to delete any posts that are not family-friendly. We love all kinds of literature and genres including family-friendly inspirational romances, fantasy, or science fiction. We do not welcome any posts that feature excessive violence, sexual content, or any cursing. This rule also applies to book review posts that feature books that are not family-friendly. I will delete these posts without notice to the blogger or explanation. While I believe in the right for all adults to read whatever they want, we feel our linkup is for family-friendly posts only. Thank you for understanding.
- We also want to be a loving community by supporting one another. Please encourage each other this week! Visit the two posts before yours and at least one other blogger’s post of your choice! I want to see lots of clicks on everyone’s posts. Remember, it is also nice to follow them on their social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
- Also, note periodically I will send everybody updates on the linkup using your contact information you provided when you linked up. At the bottom of the notifications, you can unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive these notifications.
- Tweet about the link up too.
It’s good to see you back in action, Mary! And I love the advice to not tell your body about ALL the challenges, just the one at hand.
Dear Mary, what precious thoughts God gave to you through your reading! Thank you for sharing that encouragement with all of us. And thank you for the sweet words about my post too! You are such a blessing.
Thank you Mary for that encouraging word today, I needed it!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…“They’ve got my back!”
Thanks so much for your kind words, friend! I adore you! I can’t wait to see all the good words coming for your 31 days!
Rebecca Hastings recently posted…Do You Feel Disconnected?
I’m taking the 31 Days Challenge too, and there does seem like a long way to go, so that quote you shared is encouraging. Thanks for sharing it!
Mary – You are such an inspiration. Last week started out overwhelming for me. Then I switched back to one thing at a time kind of doing. It worked. It is wonderful to have you back writing.
Maree Dee recently posted…When You Are Unprepared for the Challenge – Link-Up
Mary, as a perpetual list-maker, I really enjoyed Rebecca’s post on making a more uplifting list, too! I hope all the list-makers, even mental list-makers will check it out. Thanks for hosting and have a blessed week.
Donna Reidland recently posted…“Co-Dependency, Bondage, Fear & Freedom” September 30
You’ve always been so brave about accepting these 31 Day Challenges!
Michele Morin recently posted…Sunday Scripture ~ Jeremiah 23:24
Good luck on the challenge! laurensparks.net
That thought has helped me a lot during our busy last two weeks. I can get agitated when there’s a lot on the calendar or when a lot of unexpected things pile up. God helped me remember to just take it a day, a moment at a time. But I still have to remind myself quite often. I wish you all the best on the challenge!
Barbara Harper recently posted…Making the Bible Come Alive