Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

in Five Minute Friday

The Notice (Five Minute Friday Prompt)
Consider this your personal invitation to join a community of writers that pour out cups of warm hope on chilly nights.

Join Kate and the gang for a five minute prompt as we pass the encouragement and partake some hearty grace.

Happy to be taking part in this week’s prompt: Notice.


I make a list. I crunch numbers. I fret. I try to focus.
I’m worried.

The kids fight, the dishes stack up to almost overflowing, I sigh at the erupting laundry (clean but not folded or put away).
I’m stressed.

I know the truth yet it loses steam between my head and heart, between my knowing and my doing; my living.

And I wonder if He looks down and wonders if I notice?
Do I see how He manages it all, with grace and steadiness?

He keeps the earth spinning,
He is able to provide when there seems to be no way.
He is there when I fall part and there to help put the pieces back together.
He is doing just fine, ruling over the universe.

Too often I don’t notice and don’t really see who He is.

I try and keep the balls rolling, the plates spinning…on my own strength, my resolve is waning.

Picture

My Child-

Do you notice the attention I give to each snowflake? Not one is the same.
Do you see the way I provide oxygen to sustain your soul?
The care I give to the outside pales in comparison to the love I have for you daughter.

I notice you.

I see your struggles and I am here, ready and willing to help – to take it from your tired shoulders and show you a better way…
to surprise you.
It is not always easy but it will be worth it!

Your toil is the soil on which I work.
Slow down and notice all that I am doing, even when you feel like I am not there.
I am…
all the time holding all together, including you there in the middle of the snow and unsure of what is beyond it at present.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Isn’t it wonderful that He does notice our struggles and is there to help…thank you for sharing your beautiful words – and the picture and quote are beautiful!

    • Thank you! I don’t know where I would be without Him. So often though I forget all that He provides and brings to the table. Needing to slow so I can see better (like Ann Voskamp writes about in 1000 Gifts).

  2. Thank you for this post, Katie! May your soul be fed as you slow down and notice all that He is doing in you and through you. Grateful for your words!

  3. In the mad craziness of our lives, I love His gentle presence whispering peace into our exhausted souls. Thanks for your words tonight, Katie.
    Breathing deep with ya’ …

  5. Oh girlie, I think we all do this… we just forget too easily that He can handle it all… that we traded His yoke and light burdens for our heavy ones! Praying for you… and that graphic? It ALMOST made me wish for snow… Almost!

  6. So good. We went out the other day as a family and I stopped us to pray on the sidewalk that God would help us and be with us. At the end of the day my husband asked if God answered our prayer. God did answer our prayer. I know He is pleased when we stop and notice Him. It’s all good. 🙂

  7. Love it ALL but this is my favorite: “Do I see how He manages it all, with grace and steadiness?” Yes, yes, a million times yes! I need to be reminded of that very truth 5,629 times a day. Thank you for these words of truth, friend!

  8. I enjoyed this! I’m one of your FMF neighbors this week. I’ve enjoyed giving FMF a try the last several weeks and I love reading what others have to say about the topic. This is really good. I love your line, “Your toil is the soil on which I work.” Great job!!
    Christy

  10. Hi Katie,
    As I read your words I took a deep breath… the clock ticked midnight just now and the laundry kicked off… it has just been one of those days.
    I needed this tonight like a warm cup of coffee in the quiet of the night. I lost sight of this truth today somewhere “between my knowing and my doing”. Thank you for reminding me.
    Blessings my friend, may His hands of true love surround you this weekend and warm your soul in His light. {hugs}.
    ~Brandi

  11. Such beautiful words! I also tend to forget that he notices me even though I often don’t notice his doing in my life. Definitely needed to hear this today! Happy Friday to you!

  12. Oh, this is just balm for my soul. These very words: “I see your struggles and I am here, ready and willing to help – to take it from your tired shoulders and show you a better way…
    to surprise you.” Thanks for this honest and encouraging message… I don’t know why you wrote it, but God meant it for me today. Peace~

    • Hi Friend! He cares about every care we carry and is ready to lift the load as we lay it down. I’m not there yet, but it’s where I want to be.:) I’m hoping for coffee/tea in person sometime, yes?:)

  14. This reminds me of Jacob waking up after the dream (somewhere in Genesis) and he says, “Surely God is in this place, and I wasn’t aware of it.” I want to slow down and see more of Him too.

  15. Love these thoughts, Katie. I need to step back and notice all He is doing constantly, as well. And remember He notices me…even in the chaos. With you in the crazy, friend. Praying for peace this weekend…xoxo

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