I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “journey.” I’ve missed the party and my people the last several weeks. I need to get back into a routine! Love you all! We’d love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there!
I stand with my back to the sun. I walk along the path and journey to my next destination. The prairie wind blowing in my hair. I stop and pick up a sunflower; a reminder of God’s amazing love and abundance. After awhile, I continue on until I end up at the shores of Lake Sakakawea.
At the shores, I sit and let the water lap against my body. I feel the warmth of the sun on my back while also feeling the cold of a Fall North Dakota day in every fiber of my being. I sit and contemplate all that is going on in this world. I want to run…run away from it all.
Yet God beckons me to get up..to walk with him…to sit and listen to those who are different than me. And as I continue to listen and walk, I grab hold of the hand next to me. Before long, I am walking along not alone but holding hands with all of my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; all of God’s beloved children. Together we continue along.
After awhile, my new friends each have to part ways. Yet I know our souls are connected as we truly listened to one another. The last one leaves and it is just me and God’s creation. I continue along taking in all of God’s good creation.
I sit down at one of my fave places and lift my eyes up to the hills; up to the sky, asking for God’s peace and justice to prevail. I feel a shift in my body and soul. I stand up and let out a sigh as I journey into the world knowing God is the one ultimately in control.
I can really picture the place through your words, Tara 🙂 So glad you have found a way to discover peace in the midst of suffering.
Thank You Emma!
And He placed you in this world for such a time as this. To shine even brighter as the darkness grows. 🙂 You are a beautiful star, reflecting the one and only Son…
Lovely indeed, Tara.
Love,
Tammy
(#10 tonight!)
Thanks friend!
nice post tara:)reminds me of retreats i have taken in the past.
Thanks Martha!
forgot to tell you that i'm at slot 12:)
Thanks for coming back to tell me that! 🙂
I think we're all holding closer to the truth that God is in control these days. You paint a lovely picture of North Dakota, Tara.
Thanks Debby!
Tara?
Susan? I know you know where I am coming from now! 🙂
Interesting how God's weaving our posts with similar threads. God's teaching us all a lot isn't He? Love your word pictures friend!
God is teaching us a lot for sure.
Tara, loved this imagery. I, too, am thankful to be walking life's journey with friends. Some I've met in person. Some, I've met online. All are precious and special. Each adds dimension to my life. Including you. Have a great weekend, Tara!
Thanks Jeanne. Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was great. A nice little respite away.
Love this Tara! And love that your journey came to life as I was reading it! I have missed the FMF "party" too; at least the link-up. I don't have Twitter so I usually just wait for the word; most Thurs. nights I forget! I want to get back into the "habit" so I can catch all these wonderful people's links!!
So, joining you for FMF…mine will get written sometime today!!
Thanks Barbara. So good to see you back here. We have missed you too.
This is stunningly beautiful Tara! I walk often (or at least I did before I fractured a rib) and let God use that time in the way He sees best. It is always a time to learn, listen and receive love from my Heavenly father. The image of other people joining you for the journey and becoming one is what our world needs. Thank you for such life-giving words.
Thanks so much Mary! I am glad my words were so life-giving for you.
Your description of your journey here is beautiful. Time out in God's creation always reminds me that he is ultimately in control.
Thanks Lesley!
That's important, to sit down and listen. We don't have to come away agreeing with the "other side," but slowing down and allowing them to space to speak helps us to remember that they're human beings, too.
It truly is. And yes!!
Love that sigh of surrender!
Thanks! me too!
This is beautiful Tara!
Thank You Laura!
Oh, Tara, it was like I was walking and sitting right along with you! Beautiful! Blessings to you! I'm in the #66 spot.
Thanks Gayl! Hopefully someday we will get to walk and sit in person. Blessings to you too friend!
What a lovely, haunting and faith-filled essay, Tara! Brilliant.
Thanks Andrew!
I feel it all with you. What a deep immersion you illustrated for us, right into God's comfort. Now I want to experience ND in the fall and know how to pronounce Lake Sacajawea.
Thanks Christina. And maybe someday Ill get to introduce you to Lake Sakakawea! 🙂
Be still and know that I am God! Beautiful post Tara!
Thanks Laura!
This is great Tara. Thank you.
Thanks Kimberly. And you're welcome!
"I sit and contemplate all that is going on in this world. I want to run…run away from it all."
I love your honesty. I am having that kind of day today. I appreciate your encouragement I need to remember that I am not alone on this journey. Thank you so much for sharing your words and your heart.
It has felt so heavy like that this Fall. Hopefully it will be better after the election etc.
God beckons me to sit and listen to those who are different from me. Yup! I get so caught up in my own journey that I constantly have to remind myself… it's not about me. Somehow, this is often easier for me to do when I get away, outside, to a space that sounds very similar to the one you described.
Peace.
Patricia (FMF#42)
Patricia, thank you!
North Dakota in the fall sounds lovely. And so do you
Thank You Somer!