I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. This is also Day Seven of the Write 31 Days challenge. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “test.” We would love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there.
From the moment I felt God calling me to my 31 Days series, it has felt a little like a test or as I like to say, more like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. But the thing is God just keeps showing up and revealing to me ways that the Word is made flesh in our world. On Monday, the words simply spilled out onto the page and is one of my most favorite posts I have ever written.
But faith is like that too, isn’t it? God calls us to trust him even when we are faced with obstacles and challenges in our own lives. As my friend Karrilee reminds us, all things work together for good. The reality is that God often tests us. But God does eventually answer our prayers, cries, desires just not in the ways we always expect.
And knowing that sometimes we need to wait, it is important for us to embody the Word made Flesh by taking time for ourselves and living out our faith by telling our stories. I am Tara, Sandy’s daughter; beloved, broken, blessed child of God. And tonight, I took some self-care time for me. Something I think God tests us on a lot. We aren’t always so good about taking time for ourselves. But God even rested on the seventh day after God finished creating the world.
I rested by watching a rodeo with my friend; bull riding, barrel racing, steer roping etc. As we watched, I was reminded that God calls us to “be still and know that I am God.” Take time to live out the Word made Flesh by taking time for self-care and resting in Sabbath glory. It’s one of the ways God calls us to care for ourselves.
Great post, Tara!
My feeling is that God isn't the one testing us, except implicitly through the requirement for free will. Cancer and catastrophe and cruelty are all the flip side of the coin whose face is our choice to side with God. If He waved them away, so to speak, our faith would be meaningless.
I can't believe He sent my illness. I just can't. It hurts too much.
So maybe His test is the application of our faith, and our willingness to turn to Him.
#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/10/your-dying-spouse-216-lethal-legacy-fmf.html
I wholeheartedly agree, Andrew!
So glad you took the time for self-care and to realign with what is important – often the hardest choice 🙁
Yes!
so encouraging to read these words because me too. ME TOO!! Word made flesh and God showing up in the most ordinary and mundane places. He is good. He is ever present.
Indeed God is good and ever present.
Great post, Tara! Self-care is so important. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that taking time off equals giving up. This is not true, we sometimes need to stop. Sabbath is a gift and we don't use it often enough.
My friend Shelly Miller just wrote an amazing book on Rhythms of Rest. It's a great message in today's world, if you want to check it out!
Sabbath is a gift indeed. I'll have to check out your friends book.
Self-care is so important–especially for caregivers! Fuel you own tank with whatever fuels it :).
Yes!
Tara, you are one amazing gal! Thank you for sharing your heart and reminding me to take time to rest as well. I wish you an amazing weekend!
Thanks Carrie!
Oh girlie… you know you are speaking my language all over the place here! Rest. Self Care. How all things work together for our good (at least, eventually!) Yes!
I thought you might love this post! 🙂
enjoyed your post tara. enjoy the 31 day challenge. i'm not doing it this year. i was too far behind and a bit overwhelmed so decided to skip it this year.:( hope to use the time to catch up in numerous areas of my life. hope it works!
i'm at #49:)
Thank you!
I can truly relate to these words: "We aren't always so good about taking time for ourselves. But God even rested on the seventh day after God finished creating the world." Amen! Thank you for reminding us of the biblical mandate to rest. This looks like a great #write31days series you are doing. Bless you, Tara. xo
Thanks Joy! Bless you too! Xo
Resting is good. Very good.
Indeed!
A few years ago I finally "got" it that Sabbath is more than just a suggestion. I got serious about intentionally resting in God and it's helped me feel more purposeful and rested too. Peace.
Exactly! Peace to you too!
Rest is definitely important. Glad you were able to take some time off to do something fun.
Yes….and me too!
Dear Tara, I love this statement, "the thing is God just keeps showing up and revealing to me ways that the Word is made flesh in our world" and then this statement, But faith is like that too, isn't it? God calls us to trust him even when we are faced with obstacles and challenges in our own lives. Visiting you, from FMF. Blessings Diana
Yes! Blessings to you too!
Tara, fabulous post. I admit it. The past two months have held very little rest or "self-care" time for me. They've been filled with boy-busy-ness, constant appointments (at least that is how it feels) and day-to-day obligations.
You are so right. We need rest. We need to be still and know (and remember . . . and keep remembering) that God is who He says He is.
Glad you took some time for self-care, my friend!
Thank You! Me too!
Self care is so important and it's the part we tend to let go. Thank you for the reminder that we are important, too, and need to care for ourselves. Blessings!
You're welcome! Blessings to you too!