Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday.
Join me!
The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write.
Today’s Topic: After
There’s this piece of me that has always had a hard time settling.
Maybe it’s because the longest we’ve been in one place, without some significant change, is three years.
My heart kind of lives in the what’s-coming-next-mode…
What’s coming after this?
It’s a hard place to be…especially when we’ve said the same thing over and over. This is where we want those roots to be…planted so deeply that it will not be so easy to pull them up again and run to whatever is coming after this.
Instead, we choose to settle and to be content in the here instead of wondering what might be next.
But, can I be honest? I do wonder.
And in the middle of that wondering, I am always amazed at the contentment my Father gives. He reminds me that He is good and that His plan is perfect, and that He has created now and it’s so, so beautiful, if I’ll just take the time to soak it in.
That’s my challenge for myself…to live in the present and to see each blessing He chooses to give.
I hope we’ll be here a long time.
Mel, I am in the exact same boat! My husband and I are trying to figure out where to go next, and we’re fighting against the settling. I’m the type of person who moves, moves, moves. I never like to be the same place too long. It really is hard to be in the present, but you’re so right. God’s plan is perfect and all we have is today. Thanks for being so honest!
Anne, thank you for sharing this. I have known for awhile now that I just need to be content with settling and taking each day (and not each crazy move!) as an adventure. It’s hard, but I really am in a good place and am so thankful for that.
Blessings to you, sweet friend!
My husband and I are in that same place, Anne. Though we’re quite settled geographically, we feel like we’re juts waiting for our “real” lives to begin once a family comes along. You and Mel are both so spot on – His plan is perfect. Even when it’s unseen, and so diametrically opposed to what we think we want.
Great thoughts! It’s so hard to think permanently when temporary is what you know. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome…thank you for stopping by, Debi! Blessings on your day!
Oh, Mel! I hope you are able to put some roots down somewhere soon. The “what next?” question always drives me bonkers.
Wonderful that you’re in such a mindset of contentment! Well done!
Stopping by from FMF!
Thank you, Jamie! I agree…it’s definitely something that can drive me bonkers if I let it. Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by!
Ah, I’ve been saying all day to my friends who ask “how’s life” and “what’s going on since we last talked?”: I’m trying to stay in the moment, day-by-day. I get so excited about the future that my mind rushes there, but I don’t want to miss the here and now.
Such a good perspective…focusing too much on the future definitely takes away the now. And the now is SUCH a gift! Blessings!
This was such a powerful post. I too, am right in that season of what’s next. Bless you.
Blessings to you, too, Ashley! Thanks for stopping by!
I so love that you’re taking the time to soak up the beauty is what’s now and not what’s next. There is peace when we trust Him. Thank you so much for sharing your heart here today friend. Blessings.
Blessings to you, too, friend…you make me smile! Have a fabulous Friday!
oh, this hits home! I have lived a life of what is next. Jobs, homes, babies . . .
What I have found is that once I found my purpose, all of the seasons of my life just flow.
Even though I have found my purpose for this season of my life . . . I know it will soon shift.
Mel, hold onto your own truth and the rest will fall into place.
Be Blessed.
Love this…and maybe I am searching for my purpose a little. I’m trying to remember that purposes change, and right now I’m meant to be with my little girl, raising her and loving on her…and just trying to be the best wife, mommy, and friend I can be. It’s actually a wonderful place to be.
Thank you for the encouragement today…blessings!
Dear Mel
My chronic illness has taught me how to live in the moment!! I relate with your wondering about where you might be moving next. We are also in such an in-between state with my husbands work!! Let His will be done.
Much love XX
Mia
Absolutely…let His will be done. Because it will be good.
Love and hugs, dear friend. Thank you for the constant source of encouragement that you are! Blessings! 
Wonderful thoughts.
Thank you, friend!
Oh Mel, I know you move a lot. And maybe because of that you are able to be here now better than many of us. It is indeed a shared struggle. Living life in the present…yes!
Thank you, Elise! It’s not something I always do well, but I’m trying.
Blessings on your day, sweet friend!
After moving around in the military for 23 years, yep settling in one spot was weird. My bones had an itching to move. But now I wouldn’t trade this rooted-down life for anything. Love your heart.
Thank you for sharing that, Alene. As much as I sometimes-struggle with the urge to run off to the next adventure, I really do long to keep these roots down in this place for a long, long time. Blessings, friend!
Hey sweet friend, it was so good to see you at #FMFParty last night. I have not moved often like you but I have to admit that my thoughts wonder towards the ‘what’s next’. And it is usually in the form of fear and worry. God is working on that and I am getting better but not there yet.
I was excited to see you there, too! I’ll have to hop on Twitter earlier next week…seems I’m often a little late to the party.
Thanks for sharing this…I think I’m guilty of letting the fear and worry that comes from staying overtake my trust in Him. He’s working on me, too! Blessings, friend…have a great Friday! 
For years I lived my life in what’s coming next mode. Now I have to remind myself to be content where I am. It’s a challenge. Happy FMF!
Definitely a challenge…but contentment is beautiful. Happy FMF to you, too! Blessings!
Loving this, and I can relate. I think the more I read these AFTER posts, the more I realized that we weren’t created to be content here on earth. We are supposed to wonder and anticipate the life to come. That’s “what’s next!”
That’s the real after, isn’t it? Something I need to remember in the middle of all the wondering.
Thanks for stopping by, Kariss…have a great weekend! 
seems like much in us yearns for those roots that grown down deep, settled and firm …
truth is that the only place we’ll find that for sure is with the One who loves us. everything else ends up being so transient, sooner or later …
So true. I’m guilty of finding my identity in my circumstances rather than in Him. Thank you for the reminder, friend! Blessings on your weekend!
ohhh I get this…I sooooo get this…….thankful for God’s grace in every situation, in the staying and in the going…..
Me, too! Blessings, Fiona…thanks for stopping by!
I can so relate to you. We have also moved around a lot…..especially this year! But, enjoying the moment and where you are is so key! Love your blog. I love the name of your blog and you inspire me! Blessings!
Thank you, Kirsten, for your sweet words.
And thanks for stopping by, too…blessings and have a great weekend!
“That’s my challenge for myself…to live in the present and to see each blessing He chooses to give.” That’s my challenge too. I get too wrapped up and putting off the important things like paying with my family or just resting. I am working at living in the present and it is so beautiful.
Have a great weekend friend!
Thanks, friend! I hope you’re home safe and sound…will have to hop over to your space soon! Glad you could have some time away to relax.
Blessings!