I’m trying not to be too predictable, but these last couple of blogs are pretty special to me and for the most part, I’m actually getting to see and spend time with these people so it just makes sense to write about them. Tara and I have known each other for over two years now and have been dating a little over the last year. Through that time, I’ve been able to see God work in her life and give her wisdom and mature her into a woman that I want around me. I’ve gotten to see how God has wired us differently, but brought us together perfectly. We have a story that can only be explained through God’s provision and protection over our lives. We’ve had a lot of things working against us, but we’re stronger now than ever, and I can’t thank God enough.
I’ll give you a little, short background about Tara before really focusing on the last two years. Her dad is a preacher, but not only that, he also trains future pastors. So needless to say, Tara grew up in a Christian home with more than enough Godly wisdom spoken into her life. She hasn’t always stayed the course, but she’s wanted to be a missionary since before she even knew what a future career was. While other kids were dressing up like doctors and professional athletes, Tara was getting ready to leave all the comforts of home and set out internationally. After graduating from college, Tara had her shot to launch out onto the mission field, and that came through the World Race.
She was originally traveling with me, but her year was cut short after a horrible accident. Tara fell from a balcony in Romania and had to leave the World Race and be wheeled away from her dream well before the year was over. To read the full story, click here to read her article, He Reached Down from Heaven and Rescued Me (must read, I would even tell you to leave this blog and read that one if you don’t have much time…). But just four months into her new life on the mission field, Tara was forced to leave and was even asking the question whether she would be able to walk again. Luckily, God had much bigger plans for her, and he was far from done.
Within seven months of the accident, Tara was back hiking mountains and ready to give the World Race another shot. This time, she would finish what she started. So last June, Tara took off again and this time was a team leader. Her year on the field threw every sort of attack possible at her, but physically she was stronger than ever. She was now forced to learn how to lead well and shepherd the group that she had been entrusted to steward. I’m sure she would say that nothing about the past year was easy, but God was good and provided her with every ounce of strength and wisdom she needed. Not only did she finish this time around, but she finished well.
Now, the two of us are staring down the future, ready for pretty much anything. We’ve spent the majority of the last two years apart because of the journey that God has called us on, but now we get to pick up this next season together. I’ve loved the last week and how we’ve been able to actually minister beside each other and use our gifts together. She initiates prayer pretty much everywhere we go. I get to read the Bible with her, and we both start conversations with pretty much everyone we pass. It’s a blessing to finally have her by my side and learn what it looks like to do this thing together.
So who knows what the next few months will hold. All I do know is that we’re headed there together. God is so good, and I can’t tell this testimony enough of how he has worked out our story. Practical knowledge says two years apart isn’t worth it, or it’s too much trouble. But I know we’re not to lean on our own understanding, but allow him to direct our path, and life is just so much better that way. We’re on a journey and there’s a lot ahead of us. We just have to learn how to operate as a team now…
