Saturday, January 22, 2011

Five Minute Friday: Francis

Lisa-Jo at Gypsy Mama had a cool idea that inspired me so I decided to try it out and join up with her and some other bloggers today.

Here is the challenge from this creative mother of (almost) 3.....


"So, here’s the skinny: I’ve been thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. And I figured, why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.



So here is my first attempt.....

GO.

Her name is Francis. I never knew her name before this week, never even saw her face, but now my life and hers are collided in ways that I would have not expected. Francis is 94 years old, and she is dying.

My job - sit with her, talk to her, make her comfortable, pray for her, sing to her, be Jesus to her.

Her life becomes SO real to me as I meet her son, her granddaughter, and as I answer the phone to friends who call to check in after her stroke. I am their connection, although they don't even know my name. I look around and see traces of her life....the man she loved...the child she raised...the granddaughter she spoiled....the pets she crooned over.

And, then I see more....the tears she cried...the prayers she prayed...the joys she brought into the world...and I thank God for Francis and what her life teaches me as she lies in her bed struggling with each breath. I thank God for teaching me and I thank Him on her behalf for using her even when she doesn't know. Her life still holds purpose and in that, HOPE stirs in me. And I thankful...truly thankful...

STOP.

Hahaha....that was actually quite cool! If you are a fellow blogger, try it out!! Either way, please link over to Gypsy Mama and read some of the Five Minute Friday postings...you just might see something new today in a person you never expected. I know I did! Thanks, Lisa-Jo!



10 comments:

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Lindsey,
Just popped over to see who you were from your comment on my own five minute Friday. I have just read a number of your posts and been blessed, thank you! What blesses me is your faith-filled attitude and your sense of God's presence in the hard things--like your entry from Jan. 17. I prayed for you today, strange girl I've never met, when I posted on Psalm 113. Love to you. Betsy

Waterfall said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi, Lindsey! I really liked reading about Francis. It brought me back to when I used to work in a nursing home--I learned so much from watching and building relationships with the dying. I cried many tears during that time, but I wouldn't trade that tough experience for anything.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!

Jen Price said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great idea! It's too late for my brain to work to say anything in 5 min. right now but I'm looking forward to trying it. Your time with Francis sounds like it has been pretty special. Thanks for sharing!

Melissa Haak said... Best Blogger Tips

I used to volunteer in a hospice ward, this captures it so beautifully.

Renee said... Best Blogger Tips

Good grief, you made me cry! I love-love this post. The part that particuarly struck me was how God used her...unbeknownst to her. I pray He will use me like that today...

p.s. Thanks for dropping by & leaving your sweet comment :) I'm lovin' your blog & I'm praying for ya!

Patti said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this! My favorite lines...

"I thank God for teaching me and I thank Him on her behalf for using her even when she doesn't know. Her life still holds purpose and in that, HOPE stirs in me."

I agree that it was an awesome exercise!

Very nice to "meet" you here in the blogiverse. :-)

Reese said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh Lindsey, sweet girl, what an introduction! Thanks for sharing your Francis; and, thank you for commenting on my blog.

xx

Patti said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this! My favorite lines...

"I thank God for teaching me and I thank Him on her behalf for using her even when she doesn't know. Her life still holds purpose and in that, HOPE stirs in me."

I agree that it was an awesome exercise!

Very nice to "meet" you here in the blogiverse. :-)

Renee said... Best Blogger Tips

Good grief, you made me cry! I love-love this post. The part that particuarly struck me was how God used her...unbeknownst to her. I pray He will use me like that today...

p.s. Thanks for dropping by & leaving your sweet comment :) I'm lovin' your blog & I'm praying for ya!

Jen said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great idea! It's too late for my brain to work to say anything in 5 min. right now but I'm looking forward to trying it. Your time with Francis sounds like it has been pretty special. Thanks for sharing!

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