Five Minute Friday: Graceful

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Immediately my mind’s eye sees a tiny little girl in a pink leotard with her hair in a bun. She’s at the bar practicing. Following the teacher’s every move.

Isn’t graceful the epitome of what every refined woman should be? That little girl all grown up with legs crossed politely at the ankles, back straight, maintaining polite conversation.

I’m thankful that’s just a lie “civilized” society tried to sell. Because that is so not me.

I’m the little girl running through the mud after ballet tearing a hole in her tights and getting her slippers muddy. The grown woman with greasy hair and mismatched clothes in the grocery store.

That’s really where the grace really comes in…the rips and muddiness of life. When we are all greasy and mismatched.

Christ comes in and in his rich grace covers us. Cleanses us. Restores us.

And we are able to start again–graceFULL.

This post is linked with thanks to:

Company Girl Coffee
Favorite Things Friday
Weekend Whatever
Faith Filled Friday
Just for Fun Friday
Homemaking Link-Up

Photo Credit: Lauren Hammond

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sarahannrogers

Sigh… lovely and refreshing words! It’s true – being “graceful” is a tough standard sometimes. Thankfully, we have Someone who steps in for us.
You’re wonderful, friend!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Thank you Sarah. You are too sweet.
chelsie denson

I love that you put “grace-FULL”. It’s so true! We have more grace from him than we can comprehend. And we take it lightly too. Very encouraging. Thank you!
http://alwaysalleluia.com/ Kris Camealy

beautiful words, my friend. just beautiful. I love the imagery here, muddy and ripped tights…. I know that girl.
Wendy

LOVE! Running through that mud with you friend! So thankful for His overflowing, never running out grace. Blessings!
http://twitter.com/lifesurrendered Michele-Lyn

Oh, love the greasy hair and mismatched clothes. Shall we talk of the toes — the one’s desperately in need of a pedi? Maybe another day love your honest heart <3
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Maybe we can arrange for a mani/pedi night at Allume?! Mine haven’t been done in over a year!
http://twitter.com/Missindeedy Missindeedy

Hi, stopping by from 5 Minute Friday. I can totally identify with the grace coming into the “muddy moments” of life and leaving us grace-full. I really enjoyed this piece!
http://www.tanyamarlow.com/ Tanya Marlow

Ha! I can also relate to SO not being the graceful ballerina, civilised girl. Grace in the muddy moments – love it.
http://ourgoodfamily.org/ Aurie Good

Amen!! I’m with you – I always wanted to be the neat, polite little girl but I was the tomboy with holes in my knees, racing with the boys and playing football. I have come to embrace that side of me, and try to see myself as He sees me, which gives me the confidence to let my girls run and tumble and play Graceful, indeed!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I’m so thankful my mom didn’t try to press me into that mold! It’s SO common in the South. She just let me be me. Stringy hair and al! haha
traceysoko

I’m so glad there is grace for those of us who fail at being graceful
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/ Mary Bonner

I can SOOO relate to the mud, torn leotard and muddy shoes. This is beautiful, Mary Beth. You guys that stay up late and link up early amaze me with what you can right late at night!

Hugs~
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  The linking up early is thanks to my wonderful son who acts as my alarm clock. 6:00 AM this morning. yipee!
http://www.triplebraidedlife.com/ Brenda @TripleBraided

Mary Beth, this is beautiful! I am only 5’0 (barely) tall, and the image I always had in my head of graceful is a tall, slender woman. I never considered myself graceful because I’m so short. Isn’t that just what the enemy loves? Taking something so unrelated to graceful and making me think that I will never be it? Ahhh! Thank you for your reminder of true grace!
Positively Alene

Beautiful! That pic captures my soul. My mind went to gymnastics today. I so want to be graceFUL!
http://www.redemptionsbeauty.com/ Shelly Miller

Love the unique fabric of who we are blending into the quilt of life. Nice write Mary Beth. It was fun to connect with you last night for the #fmfparty. Hope you got some sleep!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  I did, but had some WILD dreams!?
http://www.amylearns.com/ Amy Tilson

Seriously, are you spying on me again??? I love getting these glimpses of you that I can’t wait to see fleshed out!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Yes. I have cameras in your house and all your phones tapped.
http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman

“That’s really where the grace really comes in…the rips and muddiness of life.” Amen. Makes me thankful all over again.
Elizabeth

Mary Beth, I love this picture of the absolute real of life…muddy mismatched and all —-yet so embraced and loved by Him for who we are in Christ….beautiful gracefilled, children. Love this, friend.
http://simplystriving.wordpress.com/ Nikki

You did it again, Mary Beth! And what a pair we’d be in the grocery store…I’m certain we’d turn heads
So grateful He hasn’t called us to be graceful. Instead, He offers it as a gift in full…..ugh. Can’t get over it. Still can’t find a loop hole to this scandalous love affair I’ve found myself in…

Hugs to you, girl! And aren’t you just overwhelmed what our date nights turned into?!? Seriously..I’m still in the clouds!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Girl…I was so overwhelmed last night. I need some lessons on how to keep up/participate. I just froze.
http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/ SimplyHelpingHim

I promise I did not read your post before I wrote mine….Lol! I did do it this week! LOL! Thanks for sharing girly! Blessings!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  WOOT WOOT! So glad you joined us! Heading over now!
  - http://www.simplyhelpinghim.com/ SimplyHelpingHim
    
    Me too! It was so much fun! I love having a topic thrown at me!
StefanieYoungBrown

Love this, Mary Beth!! Society does give us what it thinks we should be ~ graceful, elegant, etc… I’m neither. However, I am, as you said, graceFULL. So blessed. So thankful!
http://twitter.com/Seamsinspired Larri

Love the thought of being grace-FULL. Thanks for sharing! New visitor from 5mF. Happy Friday!
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Glad to have you Larri! I think I’ve seen you around Twitter! #hellomornings maybe?
lindseyfoj

Such a pretty example of grace…..grace in the beauty, grace in the mess…love that about Him!
http://www.favored-one.blogspot.com/ Tobi Benton

This was like drinking a cool glass of water. 5 minutes of simple, clean writing and I love how refreshed I was at the end. Thank you for the drink of grace!
Jacqui

Mary Beth, your posts always make me smile! I am right there with you in the mess…greasy hair and all And so thankful to be bathed in the grace of our God! Love this!
TereasaM

Awesome!
http://denisedilley.blogspot.com/ Denise Dilley

Love this line – “That’s really where the grace really comes in…the rips and muddiness of life.”
Rachel

Beautiful! Yes, I’m so thankful for His grace in my life!
http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/ Barbie

You wrote this for me. I’ve experienced a lot mud and rips as of late. But His grace is sufficient. So thankful!
Jessica Heights

Well, when you have a little girl, twirling in pink in the house, you do hope she stays that way as long as possible though…
- http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth
  
  Oh I hope to have a little one twirling in pink one day! And yes. I will want to keep her that way forever.