Five Minute Friday – Reach

by | Aug 28, 2014 | Five Minute Friday

Here we are again! Friday! (Ok, I’m writing this Thursday night. Close enough.)

It’s that time of week–Five Minute Friday–where we free-write for five minutes on a one word prompt. We share them at Kate Montaung’s place, and encourage one another as we do. I’d love for you to join the fun. Either link up at Kate’s or write yours in the comments below. I’d love to read your five minutes of writing! Remember, no concern for grammar, punctuation, editing. Just write, friend!

This week’s word:

–REACH–

Go.

 

When I think of the word REACH, what comes to this mind of mine is the scene in Toy Story when Woody says, “Reach for the sky.”

(Click play for 4 seconds of fun.)

I love that cowboy. My son does too. And he’s seventeen. Woody was his childhood hero.

I digress.

Woody was wise in his words. “Reach for the sky.”

Of course, as sheriff, his words meant something different than what comes to my mind today.

When my days are overwhelming, when I feel like I can’t keep up, when the problems cloud the promises, when the yuck overtakes my joy, what do I do?

I reach for the sky.

I reach for the One Who can handle it all. I reach for help, for hope, for His love and grace.

balloon 01 editedYet, when my days are full of flowers, blue skies, beautiful and breathtaking moments, and joy abounds, I still reach for the sky. In awe, in wonder, in love.

Through it all, I reach for the sky in worship of Him… in the yuck and in the joy. It’s in the reaching up that everything begins to make sense and where I can let go and let God. He’s the one in control, and I don’t have to be.

Wherever you’re at and whatever you may be dealing with today, reach for the sky my friend. He’s ready to take your hand and lift you to new heights!

What joy awaits us all when we do!

 

Stop.

 

I had fun with this post! Truly, Woody was an important “person” in our home for years. My son loved him and loved Buzz Lightyear. Maybe I’m feeling a little sentimental as my son began his senior year of high school last week. Time goes by too fast, friend. Cherish the “Woody days.” Reach for the sky!

Much love to you today,

Julie

 

(Video credits: Drew Courtright)

 

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16 Comments

    • Julie

      Thank you! Blessings!

      Reply
  1. Patti Miinch

    Julie, your post brought tears — tears of recognition as your reminisces of your son caused me to remember my own son’s love for The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (cowabunga, dud! lol). And then, you made me smile. Too often the past couple of weeks, the “yuck” has definitely “overtaken my joy”, and I needed the reminder to reach up, to reach for God. I’ve printed out your post — 2 copies, in fact. One I’ve put on the bulletin board above my desk here at home, the other is already folded and placed inside my ipad cover so that I can look at it when the “yuck” threatens again. Thank you for saying so eloquently just what I needed to hear!

    Reply
    • Julie

      Hi Patti! Thank you for stopping by and for your words of encouragement! Cowabunga, dude! Love that! I forgot about those Ninja Turtles! Those were precious days, weren’t they? Beautiful memories. I believe you’re in good company wading through the yuck of life at times. I’m thankful God lifts us out of it all when we raise our hands to Him. I hope the words He gave me help you when you need them again. May your day be blessed! You blessed me!

      Reply
  2. Brandi

    Hi Julie! What a beautifully fun post! Woody did a lot of things well – He is still a favorite in our house and now his sweet relics will propel my eyes upward in a chuckle of admiration and worship.

    Reply
    • Julie

      Brandi, seriously… that was the first thing I thought of when I learned of the FMF word prompt. I knew I had to add that in my post somewhere. 🙂 Yes, Woody is a favorite here. I imagine we’ll have Woody at my son’s high school graduation party in May too. He was such a big part of my son’s childhood. Glad he’s a favorite in your house too. Thanks for coming by. You always bless me!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer

    Found you on the #fmfparty search via Twitter. I haven’t prepped my fmf yet, but I usually do mine in the mornings. Woody’s hat is special to me too…our boys have outgrown toy story, but I kept Woody’s hat (a toy one) in my desk drawer to remind me of the innocence of little ones. Our boys are 5 and 8 years…and they are still little…but they are reaching for new things these days. Thanks for the reminder to reach for him in the yuck and joy! 🙂 Boys bring both. Days bring both.

    Reply
    • Julie

      Amen, Jennifer! “Boys bring both. Days bring both.” Yuck and joy. Love that you’ve kept Woody’s hat in your desk drawer. That’s precious! Enjoy these years. They go way too fast! I’ll be looking for your post. May your day be filled with more joy than yuck! Blessings!

      Reply
  4. Joanne Viola

    Loved this post, Julie, as we love Woody over here and also because you thought of the same verse for this prompt as I did 🙂 So grateful that as I reach out for Him, He is reaching out to me! Blessings! xo

    Reply
    • Julie

      Yes, Joanne! Great minds think alike, right?? 🙂 Love that! Thank you for coming by today and for sharing. I’m grateful He reaches out to us too! Have a blessed day!

      Reply
  5. Jolene Underwood (@Faith_Eyes)

    Love that opening with Woody’s clip! Toy Story has been a part of all my kids lives – five of them from 11 to 23. Now I won’t be able to see that part without thinking of reaching up, like a child saying, “hold me”. Or, as mine did, “i want to hold you”. Today my harms raise in worship, reaching out to him.

    Reply
    • Julie

      I love that we have Toy Story in common in our homes, Jolene! Such precious memories! Thank you for sharing yours here with what your children used to say to you. Love that! I’m raising my arms today in worship too. Glad we share our faith in Him as well. Thank you coming by and blessing me today. Hugs to you!

      Reply
  6. Anita Ojeda

    I love that Bible verse! And it’s so true that he’s always willing to rescue us from the yuck. What an incredible promise.

    Reply
    • Julie

      Thank you, Anita. There seems to be lots of yuck lately, but He is faithful. So glad for that truth! Thank you for coming by and for sharing here. You blessed me. Have a beautiful weekend!

      Reply
  7. Jamie

    “Reach for the one who can handle it all”. What a true and life giving statement – thank you for your words (and the Toy Story clip – made me smile!)

    Reply
    • Julie

      Thanks, Jamie! Sheriff Woody makes me smile. So glad we’re not on our own in this life. He’s got us! Have a blessed weekend!

      Reply

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