I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. This week’s word prompt is “goal.” We would love to have you join us.

A mom, a teacher, a writer, a youth director….These are all things I wanted to be when I was younger. As little children, we all strive for goals that we want to fulfill when we are older.

These goals often change and shift. But there’s always one constant. God is with us. God knows who and whose we are. God loves us for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

There are times I wish God would give us traffic signs so we knew where we were headed. I cant help but think of football and how the players have goals especially the kickers.

A straight shot through the uprights. GOAL!! I truly believe God gives us each unique skills and abilities. Skills that we are to use.

So today, I claim that I am a writer, a daughter, a sister, a friend and so much more? Who are you? What goals do you have?

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. This week’s word prompt is “well.” We would love to have you join us. Sorry I am so late this week. It was a busy weekend!

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul”

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”

The words to this hymn began playing in my head and my heart when I heard the word prompt for this week. Today I am feeling at peace. Today things seem to be well with my soul. But life isnt always like that. There are times when it is not well with my soul.

Over the last 18 months, losing 9 friends/family members, it was not well with my soul. When I think I am not good enough, it is not well with my soul. When the world around us is filled with such evil and such hatred, it is not well with my soul. When I cry out, “How long, Oh Lord, will you forget me forever?, it is not well with my soul.

It is when things are not well with my soul when I must turn to God. I must ask to bring about healing and peace. As I have grieved and worked through my losses, there is healing and hope again. It is once again well with my soul. When I believe and truly know that God hears every desire of my heart, I know that is again well with my soul.

Standing at the shore of a lake, there is a peace that comes over me. It is a peace that reminds me that I am not a lone. It is a peace that calls me to know that my soul is at rest. It is well. It is well, well with my soul.

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung over at our Five Minute Friday website. This week’s word prompt is “name.” We would love to have you join us. Sorry I am so late this week, it’s been a good busy but holy week!

“Tara Lee Ulrich, you are a baptized child of God; whatever else you are, remember that you are that; for that is the basis of whatever else you are.” These words were imparted to me by my seminary advisor Nate. He gave woven pieces of this quote to all of his advisees. It is such a gift; a reminder that everything is grounded in our Baptism. God calls us all by name and knows every hair upon our head; every desire of our hearts.

This week has been a holy week. I have been reminded again and again of who I am as a beloved child of God. I possess strength. “For she is clothed with dignity and strength and lacks fear of the future.”–Proverbs 31:25. I am enough. I am beautiful. I am loved; so incredibly incredibly loved. I am gracious.

I walk forward with my eyes open knowing that more people need to see fully who God created me to be. I have gracious green eyes that need to be shown more. I need to live out my Enneagram 2ness as that is a huge piece of who I am as God’s child. I am Gods and God is mine!

Our name is a gift that is bestowed on all of us. My parents named me Tara which means “rocky pinnacle”. But another name that is just is important is our name “child of God.” God loves us despite our sinfulness. God continually calls each and every one of us by name! Thanks be to God for that gift and blesssing!