I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. Today’s word prompt is “place.” We would love to have you join us.
From our first cries, we know where we belong. I was and am the oldest daughter. As I grew and my sister joined our family, I discovered a new place. I looked out and cared for us when mom was sick and dad was farming.
I always seemed to know my place. But then I went away for the first time and I no longer knew my place. I searched and discovered myself as an adult. I made new friends. I challenged myself. I tried new things.
After college, I felt the call to seminary. I knew upon stepping on that campus that God was calling me there. It was not easy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest journeys of my life. But it was so worth it. There I discovered more of myself. I grew in my faith and was shaped into who I am as a woman leader.
Those first days were hard. I remember buying my own birthday cake on the first days of classes as we celebrated one night.* I also remember laughing so hard my sides ached. Those newfound friendships blossomed over time into some of the greatest friendships of my life.
In these people and that place, I found my place. A place where we cried together, where we celebrated together, where we mourned together. A place that now holds a piece of my heart. A place where I am always free to be me.
Yesterday was the first anniversary of our friend Ben’s funeral. I will forever remember so many (80 +) gathered around his urn as we commended him to God’s care. A cloud of witnesses took their place that day. And in that cloud of witnesses I know that I am not alone. I have found my place in a community that weeps, mourns, laughs,cries, and so much more together. We hold our place in this holy community.
Ben will forever hold his place in this community along with all of us. We each have our place. A place that reminds us again and again that this journey is not meant to be lived alone. We all walk this journey together. Sheep with a shepherd who promises to never leave us or forsake us. Thanks be to God!
*Where my five minutes ended. I had to keep writing!
isn’t it great when you find a place? It’s so nice eh?
Yes!
Thank you so much for this glimpse into yourlife and heart, Tara!
If I may, a sonnet, inspired by your words.
‘Mercenary’
I never knew where I belonged,
never had a place.
I only knew pain prolonged,
without an ounce of grace.
And then I chose to take up arms,
for a cause, and yes, for pay,
and the chance to smoke-check harms
became my Holy Way.
I was a shepherd for the flock
that invited rape and plunder
and you may imagine the shock
of the killers – their final blunder,
for on meeting me and me jolly mates
they set their own meet-Satan dates.
I loved the sonnet. Thanks my friend!
We all need a place to belong and a community where we feel accepted.
Exactly!
Thanks and blessings to all those who help us find our place. FMF19
Amen!
“A place that now holds a piece of my heart” that is when you know you belong. Great post.
Totally! Thanks!
So beautiful. What a gift: “A place where I am always free to be me.”
Yes, a gift indeed!
I so love that picture of all of you honoring your friend, Ben. A beautiful depiction of a safe place. Blessings!
It is one of my fave pictures ever! I am so glad someone captured it that day. Blessings to you too!
hi tara, i enjoyed your memories from seminary. reminds me of our days in JA! they were’t all easy, but we had a closeness there and great fun:)
Thanks! Sounds like you had some great times in JA!
“We hold our place in this holy community.” Indeed. It is a taste of Heaven as move about on this Earth.
YES!!!