When people learn that I am from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, the first words I hear are,” It’s so beautiful up there.” To which I (almost always) reply, “It is! And the bugs think so too.” There is so much more to the story than that.
As I write this post I am attending a Senior Retreat. I don’t mean the young and nimble energy-charged, 18-year old version of senior. No, that would be a Senior Party. Instead, I find myself here, in the winter of my life surrounded by seniors who have outlived the energy of youth but whose vibrant love of life persists. Seniors whose years are marked by experiences both joyful and tragic, who have not given up when times were tough and who have not lost hope in the future. I’m not quite sure why they call it a Senior Retreat, when none of these people are retreating from anything.
As I reflect on the moments in the seasons of my life, I find it ironic that this retreat is at Gitchee Gumee Bible Camp, the same camp I attended every summer from Junior High (it was called that way back then) through Senior High (the young and nimble, energy-charged senior variety). Things have changed. Time has passed. The story unfolds.
What you’re reading today is the first post of a series I will be writing for as part of the Five Minute Friday community, 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. When I signed up for the challenge (and friends this will be a challenge) I had no theme in mind. As I began with the writing prompt ‘story’ I wondered. What is my story? Do I have a story? Is there anything noteworthy in my life that would make my story interesting or appealing?
It’s probably been 15 years since I memorized this quote and posted it on the wall of my workstation.
Live your life in such a way that those who don’t know God
will want to know God because they know you.
I don’t know where I first read it, but its truth was so magnetic it fused itself to my memory. I hope the major moments of my story have been lived in such a way that people want to know my God.
As I reflect on what has brought me to this place, in this time, for this purpose, I have only one answer to those questions. I have a story. It could be interesting. Over the next 30 days, I might unravel enough of it to be appealing. Every story has potential – for something.
Looking forward to reading your story. 🙂
Thank you Tammy for your sweet words. You are so kind. I apologize for taking so long to reply. I’ve been traveling non-stop but I’m back for a whole week before being gone again. Hopefully I will catch up with all the prompts before the end of November. 🙂 I feel like I am about that far behind. I hope you’re have a blast with daily writing. Be blessed.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts! I agree, Retreat might not be the right word for your senior weekend.. perhaps Seniors Advance? 😉 I’m not sure of my theme for this 31 Day Freewrite Challenge, but hopefully mine will become clear (and interesting!) as I continue writing. All the best as you take on the writing challenge.
Neta, I think I missed your comment when you posted it. I apologize for that. I’ve been out of town most of the time since October 1st and am just now catching up on all the necessary things that were put aside in my absences. I still have quite a ways to go on my blogsite, but thank you so much for reading and taking the time to respond to my post. I appreciate you.
Jane, I’ve never read anything you’ve written that didn’t have a message or mean something to me. You keep writing, I will keep reading. I also might miss a day or days, but will catch up eventually. Thanks, love you sister
Connie thank you for subscribing to my new blog. I am so far behind from where I was hoping to be, but I’m going to catch up eventually. I hope you receive notifications every time I post. That will mean I have that part of the site set up correctly. Love you dear sister.