It’s time for Five Minute Fridays with Lisa-Jo Baker at www.lisajobaker.com, when we write for five minutes (more or less) on a one-word prompt that she gives us. No planning, no editing, no stress; just words.
This week’s word: Broken
He didn’t have a chance really.
A divorce early on, a father who left.
A mother forced to work way too much, and siblings who despised him.
Innocence stolen.
He was broken almost from the beginning.
She didn’t have a chance really.
Used and abused by those who are supposed to nurture.
Sold at a price way too cheap for a soul.
Years of love poured out, yet not strong enough to overcome.
She was broken almost from the beginning.
They didn’t have a chance really.
Two broken souls finding solace in one another’s embrace.
Trying to do what’s right for all the wrong reasons.
Saying “I do’s” with no foundation to build on.
A marriage broken almost from the beginning.
It didn’t have a chance really.
Knit together in its mother’s womb.
Ensconced in warm liquid.
A single choice made.
Its life broken even before the beginning.
Broken is everywhere.
Need is everywhere.
Despair is everywhere.
Pain is everywhere.
Grief is everywhere.
Evil is everywhere.
But what they don’t yet understand: God is everywhere.
And what they need to hear: they,
they are broken, but not destroyed.
Because He,
He gave them a chance.
Born in a stable, despised and rejected.
Trading Kingly rights for human weakness,
He became the need,
He became the despair,
He became the pain,
He became the grief,
He became the evil.
His body broken and poured out.
By His wounds they are healed.
Go tell the Broken,
That they may receive Life.
*Disclaimer: I’ve received so many lovely comments from visitors about the ability to write this in just five minutes. However, this week’s post took more than five minutes total. The first half literally poured out, but I struggled with the ending. It was just so dark and so hopeless that I felt overwhelmed by burden for the people I thought of as I typed out the words. So, I took a break to talk to the Lord and came back to it after He reminded me that He was broken, too, and for that reason alone, the darkness isn’t the end of the story! I broke the five minute friday time-limit rules, but I kept them in spirit. Yes, there is grace for five-minute-friday writers, too. 🙂
If you’ve never tried your hand at a Five Minute Friday, why not start now? This week we’re linking up at Lisa-Jo’s facebook page because yesterday her blog was Broken. 😉 https://www.facebook.com/lisajobaker
Jen 🙂
Ceil says
Hi Jen! I am here from Faith Filled Friday.
Wow, you did all of that in five minutes? You are an amazing writer. Your words were so descriptive I wanted to cry at the brokenness. But the story didn’t end there, there was healing with Jesus. Just beautiful.
So nice to meet you!
stultsmamaof4 says
Truth be told, Ceil, I cheated a bit this week – sorry! 🙂 I got stuck at the ending and it was just so hopeless that I couldn’t leave it that way. So, I “paused” and thought on it for a few minutes and prayed. I wanted to end with hope, and the Lord reminded me that Jesus was broken as well. So, then I finished up as quickly as I could. Hopefully you’re not too disappointed in me. 😉
Jen 🙂
Barbie says
A beautiful story of restoration and redemption! Blessings!
stultsmamaof4 says
All because of Jesus, Barbie! Thanks for stopping by.
Jen 🙂
Virginia says
Just beautiful! That really spoke to me… What a treasure we have in Jesus! Coming her from FMF. http://virginiacarmichael.blogspot.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-broken.html
stultsmamaof4 says
Yes, a treasure in Jesus, and so many have yet to know Him or even hear of His name! Thanks for visiting. I’ll be sure to stop by your Five Minute Friday as well!
Jen 🙂
Cassi says
Beautiful words, truly inspiring
stultsmamaof4 says
Praise the Lord for the gifts He gives! Thanks for visiting, Cassi.
Jen 🙂
Colline says
Powerfully written.
stultsmamaof4 says
Thank you for your kind words, Colline. All glory is His!
Jen 🙂
Sarah says
Jen — Very good reminder and pointed to who we need to turn to….Jesus admist our brokenness. I love how you wrote about Redemption using your personal life too…THanks for the encouragement!
stultsmamaof4 says
Thanks, Sarah. I did use a little of my personal life in describing bits and pieces of people I know who were wounded so early on in life. I also took some poetic license, though. 🙂
Jen 🙂
WesAnna says
Amen! Beautiful post!
stultsmamaof4 says
Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
claygirlsings says
Very nice, thanks for creating that and sharing it.
stultsmamaof4 says
I’m so thankful that the words He gave touched you. Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
mamarabia says
Wow! What powerful words!!
stultsmamaof4 says
Yes, so much power in His truth! Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
Abby McDonald says
That was so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
stultsmamaof4 says
Praise the Lord for the gift of written words! 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
stultsmamaof4 says
I love how that was written, powerful, moving, encouraging, and motivating. Thanks Jen!
Nannette and The Sweetheart says
Love this Jen!!
stultsmamaof4 says
Thanks, Nannette!
Jen 🙂
sarahssundry says
Oh my goodness, I was touched from the beginning and tearful by the end. What beauty in five minutes! Thank you for the blessing this post is. So, so glad I stopped by from FMF!
~Sarah at http://sudryandspecific.wordpress.com/
stultsmamaof4 says
I’ll be honest – I bent the rules a little by “pausing” my time halfway through.:) I’m so thankful you were impacted by these words. I know the Lord wants us to be burdened for those who are without hope. Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
knit4him says
Visiting from Lisa-Jo’s. “Broken, but not destroyed” – wow, thank you for sharing this today!
stultsmamaof4 says
Thank you for visiting!
Jen 🙂
Stephanie says
wow, what a lovely story to be told in just five minutes! Such a blessed reminder!
stultsmamaof4 says
Honestly, it was a little more than five minutes. I got stuck halfway through and took a break. : ) I didn’t want to end with the oppression, but with hope! Thanks for visiting!
Jen 🙂
Catherine Fuller says
Breathtakingly beautiful!
stultsmamaof4 says
Thank you for your encouraging words, Catherine!
Jen 🙂
Andrea says
Jesus’ body was destroyed for us – so we don’t have to suffer!