Update: Congratulations to Beth for winning the $25 gift certificate to (in)courage!
I want to push you, swiftly and hard.
Not in the way that bruises knees and pride but in the way a mama bird nudges her lovies out of the nest. She knows they’re capable of doing so much more, that they only need a little encouragement. Mama knows they’ll soon find out she wasn’t being mean after all, that she just wanted them to experience Great Things, Wide Open Spaces…and what they were designed to do.
It slays me to know I’m created in the image of God; I can barely think on it. I don’t think it’s even possible to comprehend fully all it means.
If we’re called to be imitators of Christ, to look like the One whose image we bear, what does that mean? What are the first qualities that come to your mind? To love lavishly and without condition? To forgive freely even when you’ve been wronged? To serve sacrificially and to consider others’ preferences above your own?
ABOUT ROBIN DANCE
In a scandalous, decades-long affair with her husband, Robin also confesses mad crushes on her three teens. She’s Southern as sugar-shocked tea and advocates talking to strangers, creative...
{ 120 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I will play! Here’s to creativity…I am off to haikuise. Is that even a word?
Cxx
So, I’ve done a lot of typical art “stuff”, but never tried to write Haiku….So thought I’d give it a whirl just for fun. Thanks for such an awesome post, and I agree that everyone has a creative bone, it’s just a matter of finding it. Just because you don’t paint or draw or sew doesn’t mean you can’t write, scrapbook, do crafts with the kiddo’s, or make music…..give it a try, it’ll be worth it, I promise….
Ok, NOW its official, Claire….I have a mad crush on you!
Sarah, THANK YOU for chiming in!
you have been such a blessing, I so look forward to sharing your words everday and putting them way down in my heart…may the Lord richly bless you and your family for everything to the abudance for giving this encourgement to others.
Robin, I think this is a fantastic idea! I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity lately, and about the fact that we were made in God’s image, and our God is a Creator God, so…we have creative potential built into us! I’m going to try to do something creative every day – whether it’s cooking a special meal, figuring out how to organize the bookshelf, coloring with my 3yo, knitting, or sketching. Finding time for creative expression is important!
Oooh- count me in! Time is at a premium… perhaps all the more reason to pause, connect with Creator, and craft some word-beauty… excited to see what will happen! Thank you for your inspiration- a little nudge goes a long way!
Oooh- count me in! Time is at a premium… perhaps all the more reason to pause, connect with Creator, and craft some word-beauty… excited to see what will happen! Thank you for your inspiration- a little nudge goes a long way!
Awww, Deb, youve BLESSED me greatly with your words.
Awww, Deb, youve BLESSED me greatly with your words.
Youve nailed it Jeni!
Youve nailed it Jeni!
Kelly, your comment-song just made my heart happy dance.
Kelly, your comment-song just made my heart happy dance.
I’m in. I’ve been thinking I need to stretch myself and this is a step in that direction. I’m not good at poetry, but I will use my dusty creative bone!
I’m in. I’ve been thinking I need to stretch myself and this is a step in that direction. I’m not good at poetry, but I will use my dusty creative bone!
Darlin, Ive already read your offering…and I am blessed.
Darlin, Ive already read your offering…and I am blessed.
I don’t have a link but would like to contribute. I really love this site and it never fails to touch me deep within. I’m from the “pre-computer” age and don’t understand the links, blogging, etc so I will post my Haiku here.
I long for solice
an opening of my eyes
to the heart of God.
I’m really in a inbetween phase of my life. Seems what I think I need isn’t in my Heavenly Fathers plan for me. Working really hard to “let go” of my sense of what I need and concentrating on being washed in His Love and Rest. Paramenopause doesn’t help either! LOL So thankful for you all!!
I don’t have a link but would like to contribute. I really love this site and it never fails to touch me deep within. I’m from the “pre-computer” age and don’t understand the links, blogging, etc so I will post my Haiku here.
I long for solice
an opening of my eyes
to the heart of God.
I’m really in a inbetween phase of my life. Seems what I think I need isn’t in my Heavenly Fathers plan for me. Working really hard to “let go” of my sense of what I need and concentrating on being washed in His Love and Rest. Paramenopause doesn’t help either! LOL So thankful for you all!!
Corie, well, hon, you know how to COMMENT!!
Corie, well, hon, you know how to COMMENT!!
Thanks for the challenge to stretch Robin. I’ve linked up to share my love of words and a heart broken for Haiti.
Thanks for the challenge to stretch Robin. I’ve linked up to share my love of words and a heart broken for Haiti.
And THAT you did… I dont know why exactly, but your little Haiku really touched me.
And THAT you did… I dont know why exactly, but your little Haiku really touched me.
always up for a challenge. hope it’s okay to just write it here. here goes, we’ll see what comes out…
cold self wandering
cold and yet in the desert?
Lord meet me quickly
I loved the Winter theme to give some direction to this “assignment.” I LONG for creativity and feel like I don’t have time for more than a 17 syllable burst. Thanks for the challenge. Here goes:
The thaw in my heart
Starts with the warmth of Your grace.
Cold snap now over.
I love when He gently and persistently calls me out of myself and into something Higher, Better and Eternal.
Oh, Sheryl…I hear your prayer.
Lovely point and in just 17 syllables :) (cookies for you!!).
Hi Robin,
I teach piano so my haiku is in that vein!
Cold fingers flexing,
Anticipate the music,
Lord, I will worship.
Hope the use of “cold” counts for a winter theme! My prayer for the children I teach is that one day they will worship the Lord in music.
Thanks for reminding us that God our Creator is the author of creativity.
wonderful! this is such fun and I LOVED taking a little time to be creative and come up with something and see what others came up with. thanks for the prompt!
Of course it counts…I think subtlety speaks beautifully; word choice doesnt always have to be obvious to convey your thoughts.
Oooo, my pleasure…popping over to (in)courage now to catch up on reading links! :)
Okay, I have to admit, this was fun! I never knew I had a poet within me (well, that might be a stretch, but still). Thanks, Robin, for offering this opportunity and a bit of a nudge for me to exercise my creativity. I am in the next time you do this!!
You hit it out of the ballpark, girlieQ.
Thanks, Robin, for your kind words. Can’t wait for worship in Heaven face to face with the Lord!
Love your Haiku too, Faran and appreciate your prayer, Sheryl.
Loving you, Robin
In Winter
My man in slippers
kids sleeping late in flannels
dogs find a spot in the sun
Oh dear, I haven’t done haiku since high school! Well, here goes nothing!
Faith in the darkness
Love to keep make warm Decembers
Turn my face to You.
I just wanted to say that I loved reading your words this morning,Robin. You do have a way when you share like this. I think I’ve told you before…
I scrolled to the end to see who was posting.
I love poetry, and “write” and share on my site , but have never tried this format.
I do look forward to reading everyone’s contribution. Thanks
Robin, lovely friend–
full of life, words, laughter, grace…
I thank God for you.
A friend saw your challenge to write a Haiku and sent the challenge on to me. I haven’t written a Haiku since grade school, but I just can’t resist the challenge!
Dark cold lonely place
Hidden growth yearning for grace
Winter of my soul.
How can I not smile with the image of Joe in slippers?
Wow…faith in darkness brings Light.
Oooo, does that mean youre gonna try?
I had to smile about you reading down to see who writes…cause I wonder how many do that and see my name and say, Robin WHO??
Thank you for those things in spite of myself.
Mary,
A souls Winter implies Spring is just around the corner…how thankful I am to have that HOPE!
Winter
Laid bare, trees so tall
nature covered brown and dull
yet sun touches all.
OOooo, I thought of a play on words for yours……and Son touches all.
OOooo, I thought of a play on words for yours……and Son touches all.
HEY! that’s great pensieve!
HEY! that’s great pensieve!
Fun! Here’s a try:
an icy shimmer
dances across morning snow
dressing up the day
Fun! Here’s a try:
an icy shimmer
dances across morning snow
dressing up the day
Oh, I get it! “Pensieve”, AKA Robin!!
Oh, I get it! “Pensieve”, AKA Robin!!
(cue–dorky snort!)
(cue–dorky snort!)
I haven’t written poetry for so long, yet it is something I loved doing. Thankyou Robin for inspiring me to be creative again.
In England, we have had the coldest and snowiest winter for over 30 years. God has opened a door for us to return to Australia so this is our last winter here, hence my haiku…
glossed red door dusted
whiteness unseen for so long
we make memories
I haven’t written poetry for so long, yet it is something I loved doing. Thankyou Robin for inspiring me to be creative again.
In England, we have had the coldest and snowiest winter for over 30 years. God has opened a door for us to return to Australia so this is our last winter here, hence my haiku…
glossed red door dusted
whiteness unseen for so long
we make memories
Hi Robin, Good thing to know that the brain is still on the move. Here is my Haiku:
“My Cat And I”
Too cold to go out
Especially when snow falls
Think I’ll take a nap.
Deb, I agree that Robin’s words go way down in my heart.
Corie, Creativity opens the soul to give glory to the Lord.
Foran, What a great weather report!
Paula Jean, Great word picture.
Thanks Robin for the motivation. Had to link onto the meaning of Haiku and then to the dictionary for a High School reminder of syllables. What fun to read and participate.
In HIS love, Elaine Wiley
Hi Robin, Good thing to know that the brain is still on the move. Here is my Haiku:
“My Cat And I”
Too cold to go out
Especially when snow falls
Think I’ll take a nap.
Deb, I agree that Robin’s words go way down in my heart.
Corie, Creativity opens the soul to give glory to the Lord.
Foran, What a great weather report!
Paula Jean, Great word picture.
Thanks Robin for the motivation. Had to link onto the meaning of Haiku and then to the dictionary for a High School reminder of syllables. What fun to read and participate.
In HIS love, Elaine Wiley
I also don’t have anywhere to link to, but I’d like to join in. I’m in Australia and it’s currently Summer, but the recent loss of my dad has brought something of an internal winter.
Bleak, dark and lonely.
Ice wind shocks me back to life -
Waiting for the spring.
Thank-you for your blog and this invitation to creativity. :)
I also don’t have anywhere to link to, but I’d like to join in. I’m in Australia and it’s currently Summer, but the recent loss of my dad has brought something of an internal winter.
Bleak, dark and lonely.
Ice wind shocks me back to life -
Waiting for the spring.
Thank-you for your blog and this invitation to creativity. :)
Loved this challenge. Keep them coming Robin. It was nice to get the ‘thinking bone’ working again. I try to challenge myself creatively, but have been ‘stuck’ lately. Can’t wait for the next challenge…. =)
Loved this challenge. Keep them coming Robin. It was nice to get the ‘thinking bone’ working again. I try to challenge myself creatively, but have been ‘stuck’ lately. Can’t wait for the next challenge…. =)
Paula Jean,
Do I dare say this is one of my favorites?
Paula Jean,
Do I dare say this is one of my favorites?
Thanks, Tammy :).
Thanks, Tammy :).
Natalie,
Good for you for being intentional about memory-making…thats important.
Natalie,
Good for you for being intentional about memory-making…thats important.
Elaine–youre channeling a cat!
Elaine–youre channeling a cat!
Oh, Kate…hon…Im so sorry for your loss.
Oh, Kate…hon…Im so sorry for your loss.
Ive found I often write better with some sort of prompt (whether prose or poetry).
Ive found I often write better with some sort of prompt (whether prose or poetry).
Robin, I just want to say Thank you for posting this challenge…not only was is fun to stretch the other side of my brain, but all the comments from people have been so uplifting…again Thank You!
Robin, I just want to say Thank you for posting this challenge…not only was is fun to stretch the other side of my brain, but all the comments from people have been so uplifting…again Thank You!
Robin, thank you so much for this! I loved writing my haiku!
Cxx
Here’s my contribution, but I wrote it before I read the other beautiful ones here…so now I’m not so impressed with mine! Ladies, the ones I’ve read so far are amazing! I appreciated the nudge to step outside my comfort zone and create, so here goes:
Dormancy surrounds
Bleakness, darkness, but new life
Lingers underneath
Robin – thank you for this challenge & for the nice compliment. I’m in next time, too, I’m in. :)
Kate, thanks for sharing your haiku. It brings me right to feelings of loss that are real & raw. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings!
Thank you so much Robin for the words of (in)couragement!! I used to write poetry alot but have lost all of my writings. I’ve desired to get back into writing but have lost some confidence in my ability. Maybe this is what I need to jump start my creativity.
I would like to know where I could go to start a blog. I hope to find an outlet to express myself and share. The one thing I desire the most is for God to be able to love people and touch their lifes through me.
I am not a poet by any means but here it goes:
Winter
White hand creeps over
Icy fingers reach for me
Still warm in God’s light
gentle breezes blow
covering us with blankets
of fluffy white snow
Thanks for the prompt! You helped to open up a part of my heart, and in doing so, I penned and posted additional “broken heart” haiku poems here.
http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiku-hearts-bleed-part-2.html
Blessings.
Love the idea of an artistry challenge. Sometimes it’s just that little “kick” we need to take the time to do something really fun : )
Thanks Robin!
sparse naked cold still
HE is HERE rest trust pray wait
His BREATH of LIFE comes
This is about the growth and learnings my husband and I are going through this winter.
All Is Good
Seek towards the light
Enfolded hands in the cold
Growth in the silence
Bursting at the seams is right. Here’s my very first ever (can’t count school, right?) haiku:
From dark of winter
Life waits with quiet hoping
God’s love will rain down
xoxo
Arianne
This is so funny. One of the women I write with encouraged us to do a haiku sometime this month, so your nudge really helped me do it. I wrote these while feeding my baby today, so they are what they are, I guess. So great to read all the expressions of creativity. We are made in the image of an amazingly creative and poetic God.
soot black crows squawk land
on unclothed branches, pale sky
frames day unfurling
and
backyard wet leaf brown
play structure in basement brings
forts ships snuggling glee
I’m so bummed. The Linky closed before midnight. :(
Thank you for the challenge, Robin. I enjoyed working on this over the weekend while we were out of town. I thought I would be back in time to link up, but I’ll just leave this in the comments.
My haiku is here: http://www.joyinthisjourney.com/2010/01/winter.html
Winter is tougher for me since the death of my daughter in 2008. But at the same time, the cycle of winter to spring reminds me that we wait with hope for the resurrection and the return of our King.
Jean, thank YOU for your participation; this little challenge has blessed me tremendously.
yaaaaaeeee!!! :)
Oh, Dorie….how I love the imagery of new life lingering just below the surface.
Corie,
My advice is to begin with a free service like blogspot/blogger.
Tasha, I dont believe you for a second…I think you ARE a poet (your words creeped me out before warming me up!).
Blankets of snow…perfect!
Yes…HIS breath of life!
Hmmm, that sounds like another blog post.
Hon….because I know so much more, THIS is precious.
Oh, my…Ashley.
Joy, yuck…I have no control over when the Linky closed, but Ive got your post pulled up to read later.
Snowflakes drifting down
Each day brings Father’s love-gifts
Wrapped in silver light.
On Pascal’s Avenue
lace that sparkles bright
fog horns bellow near at night
memories take flight
On Pascal’s Avenue
lace that sparkles bright
fog horns bellow near at night
memories take flight
I’m so sad the Mcklinky is closed already! :( My post is here: http://togetherforgood.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/knowing-part-2/
I’m so sad the Mcklinky is closed already! :( My post is here: http://togetherforgood.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/knowing-part-2/
Oh, sweet mercy, Beth–Fathers love-gifts??
Mindi, lace that sparkles?
Mindi, lace that sparkles?
Shoot, Erin…me, too (Im sure that was for the $25 giveaway cut off).
Here is mine. A special moment spent with my little girl on a chilly Saturday morning. God is good!
Tiny fingers reach
Warm cup of tea with Mommy
Precious moment shared
Here is mine. A special moment spent with my little girl on a chilly Saturday morning. God is good!
Tiny fingers reach
Warm cup of tea with Mommy
Precious moment shared
I know I missed the deadline. I missed the post, to be honest. But I can’t resist the invitation. So here’s a link with a poem for you.
Fun fun!
I know I missed the deadline. I missed the post, to be honest. But I can’t resist the invitation. So here’s a link with a poem for you.
Fun fun!
Typepad killed my html. Love it. http://www.thisrestlessheart.com/2010/01/haiku-for-incourage.html
Typepad killed my html. Love it. http://www.thisrestlessheart.com/2010/01/haiku-for-incourage.html
“Start the New Year with me exercising not just your body, but your soul!..”
Last time I wrote a haiku was in high school english class ;).
Reading this post, I felt inspired to pray for God to pour some of His creativity in me. I don’t know why, but it never occurred to me that I could ask for this.
Hmm… I can’t wait to see how He’ll answer it. This is a fun new idea for me in prayer. Thanks, Robin.
“Start the New Year with me exercising not just your body, but your soul!..”
Last time I wrote a haiku was in high school english class ;).
Reading this post, I felt inspired to pray for God to pour some of His creativity in me. I don’t know why, but it never occurred to me that I could ask for this.
Hmm… I can’t wait to see how He’ll answer it. This is a fun new idea for me in prayer. Thanks, Robin.
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