This week's prompt is "Try". GO 

Try means to strive. As a type A personality and a person who has tendencies towards perfectionism, I don't think I could be accused of not trying. I have always wanted to do my best in everything. School work came easily and I also like to please others. 

Have you ever seen or played the game of Perfection from the 1970's?  

You have 25 different geometric shapes that you need to put in the correct spaces before the time runs out. When the time runs out, the whole board pops up and flings the pieces everywhere and you have to try all over again. 

Trying is a lot like that game. Finding the right pieces, putting them in the right spots before time runs out. It's stressful, and at times impossible! It wears on your nerves and I'm sure on those around you (or me).  

I'm reading a book right now called Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist and it's been reassuring and eye-opening. I love this, "Present is living with your feet firmly grounded in reality." It's not about trying to be the perfect person, or making the perfect anything! You see, I've been on a journey with Jesus the last few years to be free from trying so hard, and to allow Him to guide and direct and take the burden off of me. He wants to carry me. I love how the Message version interprets Matthew 11:28-30: 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I like another definition of "try" better: to endeavor, to evaluate by experiment or experience, as in to try a new dish or a book. No striving, just experience...be present. 

STOP. 

What will you "try" this week? 

This post is part of Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the brand new Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. This is an exercise in the discipline of writing. Check out this week's postings.  

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