Tag: dailyprompt

He calls me His own…

Wiwohka6 Comments

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
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What follows is something I shared back in 2017, and wasn’t originally a response to this prompt, at least I don’t think it was. At first, I was going to title this response “Beautifully Broken” and share a poem that I’d written last February but I quickly changed my mind when I saw this old entry. While it was a distance down memory lane, I believe that it still carries some deep truths.

I know that we all, at some point, ask ourselves the question, “Who am I?”  The easy answer would be to look at the past and add up all that we have done to date.  I am sure that  if I were wealthy with a following of friends that adored me, I might feel quite accomplished.  I suppose it would be easier to justify mistakes and costly losses, reassuring myself that it has made me who I am so it was worth it.  How much money would it take for me to be OK with that last comment?  How many friends would it take for me to not feel regret over any hurts that I have caused due to my selfish mistakes in life?  I am not saying that I want to walk through my life in misery over my past failures, but they are there all the same, always floating in the shadows, seeking to pull me down into the depths of despair.  Being a human with faults and imperfections embedded in my nature is quite daunting, and yet God sees me as a precious treasure…go figure.  Rather than dropping a rock on my head, He lifts me up, and always seeks to reassure and encourage me with His grace and mercy.  It seems that my brokenness and failures are where God teaches me the most about who I am.  He does not seek me and love me because I am so good, but rather, because I recognize that I cannot do anything without Him.  I am not expressing my feelings to teach some big lesson, nor am I judging anyone else who may have an easier life than mine; I am simply sharing my heart in regards to my relationship with Christ.  I am on a journey of self discovery and what I have found is that Who I am is Christ in me.  I have accepted that I cannot do anything without Him.  I have spent nearly 50 years trying to do it on my own strength and have left a path of mistakes and regrets that I will carry to my grave.  But the difference now is that I do not carry them alone, but with the strength, forgiveness and love of my Heavenly Father, who walks before me, behind me, beside me and often carrying me.  Who am I? I am Redeemed, Reborn, Renewed, Forgiven, Cherished, and a Child of the Risen King!

While my favorite thing about myself is belonging to one much greater than I… my cookie baking skills are rather impressive (virtually speaking, of course), wouldn’t you say?

You do seem to come back for more, so at least they aren’t terrible. I’ll admit they might sometimes come with hair, feathers, or a bit of fuzz off the floor, but still.

Truth be told, I think that’s where the magic comes from…

Just like yesterday…

WiwohkaLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
How do you want to retire?
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I could, in fact, easily go back to bed for several more hours, truth be told! But, the prompt wants to know how I plan to redo what I did yesterday, so I’ll give it the ole college try…

Let’s see, I was up at 5 a.m. with a stomach ache, so I took my meds, made a cup of peppermint tea (not coffee… how shocking, I know), and spent several hours in scripture. It always seems to settle me, giving me peace within my own little storms.

Anyway, from spending time in the word to writing, both on the feed and my own personal projects, my day rapidly began to disappear… almost like fog rolling away from the shore, just as the morning sun’s golden rays force them to dissipate.

When my writing was finished, I baked several pies, one apple/peach and the other was cherry cobbler. With my stomach being on the fritz at the moment, I had to substitute the pie crust with a graham crust which worked rather well, in the end.

Trying to balance all this new medication with my eating schedule has been a bit rough, so my poor husband has been forced to fend for himself, of late, as my tummy doesn’t know whether it’s happy, sad, irritated, or down-right angry with me.

I finished my day finally, feeling nauseous and super tired, most clearly due to my 5 a.m. wake-up call, compliments of my spiteful roomie, IBS. I crawled into bed at only 7 p.m. and was asleep shortly after my head hit the pillow.

So, long story short… I haven’t any plans for how I want to retire, as I’m still recovering from yesterday!

Cookie?

Me Ticker…

Wiwohka3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?
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Technically, I suppose that you might say my heart belongs to God, my husband, and my baby girls… but, it’s still tucked within this vessel and it hasn’t stopped ticking!

It’s been injured, torn, and at times, completely broken into what felt like a thousand unrepairable pieces… but it still keeps ticking!

It was the very hand of God that started it ticking, some 56 years ago, and it could stop at any given moment, if it be my time… but for now, it keeps ticking!

One’s heart is a miraculous thing, actually! Though it be only an organ that pumps blood through the body, providing oxygen, it is so much more than that! A heart actually feels pain whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual! None of the other organs in the body give off a physical sensation of emotional pain, nor spiritual suffering like the heart does, in my opinion. I’m unaware that my kidney or spleen ever throb with deep sorrow when I’m nursing grief or hurt feelings, but maybe it’s different for others… whose to say.

I did really think on this mornings prompt, as it was rather specific about choosing only one item. And, it had to be both the oldest thing we owned and also used every day.

I may have used my own heart, abused my own heart, broken it, lied to it, stolen from it, taken it’s love and given it away for all the wrong reasons…

But it’s still tickin!

Cookie?

That Sweet Spot…

Wiwohka12 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Describe one of your favorite moments.
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There is nothing more powerful than when you are on your knees in prayer, surrounded by God’s mighty warriors, and you feel His mighty presence!

My favorite moments are the ones where I find myself at my lowest, my weakest, and I hear His voice in the stillness…

“Child, oh my sweet child, bring it to Me… I will heal your hurt, bind your wounds, and fill you with My Spirit… just bring it to Me.”

Yup! Those have to be my favorite moments!

Cookie…

Is luxury a necessity?

Wiwohka8 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?
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As there is such a vast difference between comfort and actual physical survival, how can one even answer this prompt correctly?

If it’s a luxury…. you can live without it, silly!

Now, if I cannot live physically live without something, that limits our list to water, caloric foods, sufficient shelter and protective clothing from the environment… oh, and love! Who can live without love? I know that I can’t!

Since I have all that I need, everything else can come or go… most of it already has, and I’m still alive.

The only thing that I consider a luxury would be my freedom! The freedom to speak my mind, to speak my faith, and to share the love of Christ. So, I guess that I discovered my answer, right in the middle of my excuse for not coming up with one… go figure!

Don’t forget your cookies…

Take your pick…

Wiwohka4 Comments

Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?
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When I first saw this mornings prompt I thought it was going to be a walk in the park. However, once I sat down to answer the question it became clear that it wasn’t going to be such a simple task.

You see, I don’t really know what I would give as my tagline. At first, I was going to come up with a snappy add-on to Wiwohka, but it became apparent that what I came up with wasn’t a tagline, at all! All I was getting accomplished was to give myself a rhyming last name… not what I think that the prompt was asking us. So, I did a quick check on Google for a clear definition of what a tagline actually looks like.

After looking at the examples of some taglines, I again tried to select an appropriate phrase that captures what others might think of when they hear the name Wiwohka. I’ve now sat in this chair for over an hour, going back and forth on several different ideas. Who’d of thought a WordPress prompt would cause such an uproar?

I tell stories, I bake virtual cookies, I overshare my personal business far too often, and I’m quick to talk about Jesus or the bible or God’s forgiveness or love or grace or mercy. According to the definition of tagline, the answer to the prompt shouldn’t be more than two or three words… huh? That’s entirely unfair, I think. Are they really asking me, the oversharing, novel length explanation giver, to choose only two or three words to describe myself… sheesh!

Ok, fine! Let’s give this a try…

I’m going to settle on something simple like, oh, I don’t know,

Journey With Me

Don’t forget your cookie..

Who’s asking?

Wiwohka6 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
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I think we’re all grown up enough to admit that our answer could and would change, depending on the one asking this kind of question. Say for instance that you’re in the middle of a job interview when this question pops up… maybe not the moment to share the love of Jesus. Or maybe it is!

Why can’t I say what’s in my heart, whether I’m at church, in an interview, or at a gathering of complete strangers? My desire is to have the boldness of Christ, no matter what my circumstance! No fear, no shame, nor arrogance. I wish to bear only truth and love, which are THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS NEEDED TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE!

I’ve a quick little story to tell you that is both funny, and a great example of both the truth/love part, and the boldness of Christ that I mentioned…

I’ve been having a bit of issue with my health, of late, probably due to the environment we’d been surviving in for so long. Unfortunately, I’m not bouncing back as quickly as I’d hoped. Anyway, I went in for some tests and things the other day. My dutiful and doting husband was by my side, as per usual. The wait wasn’t very long before they called my name and we followed the nurse down the hallway toward the exam room. As they normally do at the beginning of a visit, the nurse asked me to stand on the weigh scale. When I stepped onto the scale it climbed all the way up to 203lbs… no joke! I stood there for a second, just staring at the number… how could that be right? Retaining my peaceful, child of God attitude, I acted as if I’d always weighed that much… but I was totally shocked, and rather dismayed! Had I really gotten that far without realizing it?

Just as I stepped backward off the scale, I hear my husband say to the nurse, “Please don’t write that number down… I had my foot on the scale while you weighed her.” No Joke!

Now, I suppose that I could have gotten angry, but as I’m fully aware of my partners shenanigan’s, I know that he loves me to the moon and back… and, I was so grateful that I wasn’t that heavy, allowed me to burst out laughing at his antics! There are no lies between us, we both have heartaches, hurts, and both share bad memories filled with the lies of others. This is the part to explain my answer about Truth and Love, but the next part brought about my thoughts on the boldness of Christ.

Once my doctor had completed the exam, asked all of her questions, and discussed what we needed to do going forward, she did something quite unexpected. She looked me straight in the face and asked, “Can I pray for you? You may say no, if you aren’t comfortable.”

Oh, My, Goodness! What are the odds of little ole me getting a physician that prays to the Ultimate Healer… Praise God! Hallelujah! Having someone actually take my hand in a doctor’s office, of all places, and pray for my needs?

Wow! I want that sort of boldness, day and night, winter spring summer or fall, and in good times or bad. I’m fairly certain that it was that woman’s faith in God and His love working through her, enabling her to speak out with such boldness. This is all just my impression about things, of course.

Now, maybe this story will help you understand my answer for the prompt, maybe not. But, I do still think it was worth the telling… just sayin!

Here, have a cookie..

I Shouldn’t…

Wiwohka14 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Describe your dream chocolate bar.
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I know it’s shameful… I really shouldn’t… but… Ok! You twisted my arm, here. I feel a dream rising from the depths of my sweet, sweet, slumber…

… I knew it was a dream, only a dream…

But to indulge, just this once! Oh that I could melt into this dream, floating away down a smooth and silky chocolate river, toward oceans of sticky caramel…

Oh, wait a sec… back that up! The prompt is only asking about the bar, itself, so we’ll have to reschedule that dream for another time. Let’s try this again…

Ladies and Gentleman, today’s your lucky day! Every visitor is a winner! Now, I know you usually get a cookie for showing up to this game, but today is a special day and you have a once in a lifetime chance to pick a different prize!

**Disclaimer** You only get to pick one. No returns or exchanges once you touch it… duh! And, I shall not be held responsible for any Dentist or Orthodontist charges.

On with the show…

Now, if parties are your thing we’ve got just the right bar for you, my sweet friends…

We’ve got a glorious blend of white and dark chocolate, crafted by the finest artists from the distant isles of Partydom. It’s bar is designed for large gatherings. If the chairs get in people’s way, you can just eat them!

Door number two is for those who like it on the quieter, and more intimate side. This next bar should satisfy your chocolaty cravings…

Minus this strange man, of course!

There, that’s much better! Since the booth is made of the finest of caramels, it won’t melt when you sit on it.

Ahhh, door number three…

This is the perfect bar for the lounger, the slipper wearer, the midnight movie muncher! Its booth is of the finest marshmallows that only get fluffier when you sit on them.

Now, you’ve seen the three different Chocolate Bars to select as your prize, today. What shall you choose?

Will it be door number one, two, or three? Or, perhaps you’d simply like to stick with our usual cookies. I don’t know about everyone else but my teeth hurt from all that sweet chocolate bar stuff.

Sometimes it’s best to keep your dreams simple! Too much of a good thing tends to spoil the dream…

Cookie?

Yup!

Wiwohka3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
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Before you get irritated at me for not telling you the title of my favorite childhood book… blame the prompt! Today’s question simply asked me if I remembered the book, not what the title was. I’m a stickler for details!

Taste one of these flower cookies and see if you can guess the title…

It’s ok! Tilly’s feet are clean…

Only Three? No fair…

Wiwohka8 Comments
Daily writing prompt
List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?
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Now, I know you might think that I’m going to say ‘the bible’ for my first choice, here… but you’d be wrong! Ok, not entirely wrong.

When I saw this mornings prompt, I did plan to give that as my first answer, at first! But, here’s the problem I encountered when I sat down to write out my response to the above question… the why part!

First of all, do you realize how many books I’ve read over the last 56 years? I wouldn’t be able to answer that question, myself. Goodness! I’ve read and re-read so many books over the years, whether they be fiction or non-fiction. The sheer number of adventurous stories I collected and filed into my memory banks must be staggering! Where do you think my love of writing was born? Dreaming! What filled my dreams? Those fictional adventures brought my imagination to life, I think.

Unfortunately, life has a tendency to suck all the fun and adventure out of things, so survival called for moving beyond fantasy toward the pursuit of the truth. Endless hours were spent pouring through all manner of Christian and/or Secular volumes of self-help, self-improvement, and self-validation books. Some helped and some didn’t. One particular book did, in fact, help. Yes, this is the place where you can say, “see, we knew you were going to say the Bible.”

But did I? Can we even do that? Well, I suppose we could, but the real question here might be… should we?

Did you know that the Bible, itself, is not really just one single book? Technically, it’s a collection of 66 different books, some quite small and others quite lengthy… but still!

Of all the differing books I’ve read over these many years, those 66 books have been invaluable to me at one time, or another. I’m fairly certain that if you were to ask me this same prompt question at a different time, my answer would be different. Well, ok, I confess that the Psalms will always be in my heart, so I guess that one will always be on the list, though I cannot say whether it would be number 1, 2, or 3. As I said, it would probably depend on when you asked me the question.

Since we know that one of the three books has already been set in stone, so to speak, now what? How can I not go straight to the gospels? But, how am I to decide which of those books impacted me the most? Matthew, Mark, Luke or John… can one actually decide between the four? Well, I couldn’t… I can’t… in truth, I don’t want to!

It didn’t even help trying to pick the Old Testament or the New Testament… way too much valuable stuff in both!

Personally, I look to the entirety of the old testament for our history, as it’s important to remember. We all want to know who we are and where we came from, don’t we? Aren’t there currently a number of DNA mail in organizations out there that make a ton of profit from those wanting to know their family’s genealogy? My point here is that we all find our history important! The old testament has 39 books to choose from, and I’ve already said that Psalms is on my list of three, so there’s still 38 more books to pick and we haven’t even begun to talk about the books in the New Testament. What about Paul’s writings, or Timothy’s, or James, or John? See my problem?

If I were to actually take even one of these books and write an explanation of how it impacted my life, we’d need a lot more time and a lot more cookies!

In answer to the prompt

books one, two, and three

They’re all within scripture

so I can’t choose, you see…

Cookie?