Friday, January 13, 2012

Awake (a five minute post)

On Fridays, I join Lisa-Jo for five glorious minutes. Just to write, and write, and not worry about whether the words are a elegant or as polished as I always think they should be. Just to let the words fly free. Won't you join us?

This week our word is: awake.


Awake my soul, they sing to me from the computer in the quiet afternoon that bleeds into night. Awake, my soul. And isn't this what I long for? I think to myself as my feet tap dance their way to the end of the day and my fingers itch for a pen.

I write to be awake. I make poems and stories and I write letters to myself and I try to listen closer, closer, to the words that the world is telling me. Because I want my hand on the heartbeat of the truth and I want to write what I discover there.

I'm terrified, you know. Of writing, and getting it wrong. Of blundering in love, or of being alone and uncertain. But more than that I am terrified of sleepwalking my way through the world, dulled to the miracles, immune to the richness. So I breathe deep and wrangle the fear. I open my eyes, and pick up my pen, and let the words flow out.

Awake my soul. Because the world offers itself up to this young imagination. Because the people in my space are only here for such a short while, and these hours are better spent with them, drinking them in, marveling, challenging... than all the hours running away from fears and chasing expectations.

So I meet you, in this space, on these pages, and I write to you. I write you letters and postcards and blog entries. I write you phone calls and chocolate and hugs. I write you difficult honesty and beautiful brave honesty and so much love I hope we both burst with it. Let's be awake together.

Love,
Hilary



14 comments:

  1. How lovely!  Just lovely!  The way your words flow is beautiful.  Found you a Lisa-Jo's place.  Have a good weekend!  Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thank you, Mary! I'm glad you stopped by! Have a lovely weekend.

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  3. I love the idea of writing chocolate! :)  Please know that you don't have anything to fear.  From just one blog post, it is clear that you have a gift for writing!  Rest in it!!!

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  4. Thank you, Becky! That means so much to me to hear, and I'm so glad you stopped by. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  5. Hilary, I know the fears too, and oh when I think of the YEARS they have stolen from me, or perhaps more honestly, I gave so much up to the fears... Keep writing, the chocolate, the phone calls, the silly roommate dance parties, write it all, in a glorious and beautiful worship to Him, that we might join with you here and sing His praises for the good things He is doing through you ;) XO my friend.

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  6. So good to have you hear, Kris. My goodness - what a wonderful thing He's doing weaving us all together like this, across miles and blogs and many months. Can't wait to see you again (I hope soon!)

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  7. Hilary - you take my breath away. What astounding, complete thoughts that leak beauty onto the pages of other's hearts. Your wording, your symmetry to these syllables...it's perfect. I could have read this in a book or a magazine, though it could not have affected me any more than here. Seriously sister, this is greatness. Because it's poetic you. Because it's vulnerability in peeling petals - unafraid to open to the world - know He who gave beauty its true breath. Thank you for sharing. I feel as if we could have sat over  a cup of tea and released these thoughts from both our souls. For I understand your words. My insides have whispered the same. Thank you. :)

    ~ Leigh
        http://dailyrefined.blogspot.com

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  8. Leigh - thank you so much for your words. Thank you for visiting here, and for your encouragement. May our insides keep whispering the hope and beauty to us and through us to the world. Have a lovely, lovely weekend.

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  9. Very poetic!  Have a great weekend!

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  10. "I write to be awake." Me, too. I always feel much more awake when I write. And, I so get that terrified feeling of writing and getting it wrong. I pray God to use our words for His purposes always!

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  11. Thank you! I hope you have a great weekend, too!

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  12. Thank you for visiting, Caroline! Yes, I pray the same - that our words are used in His good world! I hope you keep writing!

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  13. Thank YOU. :) The same to you as well.

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  14. I so so get the feeling of being terrified of getting it wrong, yet it's so worth it to do it afraid.  Keep writing! =) 

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