Five Minute Friday

Every Friday, Kate Motaung and writers across the web join Five Minute Friday for five minutes of writing on the word of her choice. There are no major edits, no second guesses, just five minutes to write. I join to grow as a writer. Here is this week’s Five Minute Friday. This week’s prompt: Fill.

Why do we go around trying to fill our lives with things that will only leave us empty?

Personally, I distract myself from some of my least favorite tasks through radio and television. You can probably find me doing the dishes while listening to the most recent Wait, Wait, Don’t tell me! or streaming television on Amazon Prime.

After a tough day with the kids, I retreat into a book and a hot mug of tea.

Or, more often, honestly, I zone out on my cell phone – hoping maybe something interesting is going on in Facebook Land or maybe the next level of Candy Crush will provide some much needed respite.

But they always fall short.

Sure, for a few moments I feel a little better, but after I leave them and the kids are still whining and there is still dinner to be made or bills to be paid my attitude is not any different. I have not been filled. I am instead, empty and wanting more.

It is taking me a long time to learn that God fills me. That when I am attached to Him, I am filled with love, joy, peace, patience – and all of the other fruits of the spirit which no one despises, but instead everyone strives after.

I was able to get away this week for barely 24 hours in the mountains. When I woke up, I was alone. Only with God. And the simple act of being there, of taking the time to be with him made me feel more full than I had been in months. I danced around the small cabin. I delighted in every detail. The green trees. The knick-knacks of generations. I ate simply and I prayed deeply.

I am home again, now. The distractions are still here and I am tempted to turn to them for my fill. But I know where to find that, if I remember to go to Him.

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
  Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.

Isaiah 55:1-3

Fill