I dared named Shame this week. Looked her right in accusing, bloodshot eyeballs and told her to get out of my car, my bed.
My muscles recognized her first, that old rush and dull ache of inadequacy, vague regret. I told her she wasn’t welcome anymore, that she lies.
I dared paint in the afternoon, make something utterly unfinished and unattractive when there were a kazillion other things I could have been doing. I dared believe that art’s process matters even when the product leaves me flat.
I dared trust God this week, open hands and say not my will, but yours, no clue what that will mean in this area of my life.
She dared this week, let old secrets and shame fall from her mouth, shedding layers of bondage and agreeing with a greater hunger to stand atop truth. He dared this week, tears pouring with the confession of anger, stone heart, sorrow.
Little ones dared make new friends, cross bars skipping more than they’ve ever done before, stand vulnerable with words in writing notebooks and type-written essays and their I want this and I believe I can do it.
Frogs dared sit in bustling pumpkin patches among stomping rain boots, bright leaves dared break through gray afternoons. Soul sisters dared tell the ugly about themselves, people of all kinds dared speak for what’s right. Helpers and healers cut through darkness to say you’re not alone.
In all manner of places, watch as the earth fills with the audacious dare of another day and hope as its banner.
Joining with Five Minute Friday at Kate’s with today’s prompt: DARE.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
“The audacious dare of another day.” Love it! Let that hope banner fly. God bless you, Ashley.
And bless you, David. Grateful for your support always.
I love this Ash. Really Beautiful.
Thanks, friend.
I love the word pictures that you created in this post. I could visualize each example of daring that you gave. I am stopping by from Five Minute Friday!
Grateful you’ve stopped by, Jolene!
I’m so lucky that I get to witness all you Larkin girls daring in all these different ways! Loved this post, as always!
A joy to do life with you Suarez people. You’re some great ones.
Wow, very beautiful!
Always appreciate your presence here, Becca. You are dear.
All the dares here stir my heart with their unique beauty, Ashley. But it’s this – “I dared believe that art’s process matters even when the product leaves me flat” – that makes my heart flutter, yes, thank you for putting this into words. For daring this. For validating this kind of daring. I love you, and I’m so proud of you for picking up that paintbrush.
It means so much that you get this. I find that creative risk really difficult…because it can seem such a monumental waste of time. Such another kind of faith, isn’t it, to believe in the “process” and not the “outcome”? I love you.
Uplifting to ponder over on our (mine & julea’s) annual half marathon walk in the gorge today :). So thankful for your transparency.
I hope the half was a great experience, Deb! I didn’t know you and Julea did that every year! Just the two of you, or as part of a group?
This is so beautiful, Ashley.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for supporting me in all the ways you do.
Ashley,
This is an awesome piece….so coo, so great….so daring.
Love you and your way with words and thoughts.
thanks
I appreciate you more than I can express, my friend.
I haven’t gotten over here much but wow, this is a beauty. I always miss your words when my life gets busy. Yes, art’s process matters even when…
I’ve missed you too, Alia. Thinking of you so often. Thank you for echoing how much you get this…art’s process that matters, even in the midst of the busy. Learning step by step, moment by moment what to pick up and what to let go in all this. I love you.