Welcome! Just a quick little intro so we can be friends faster before we dive in…

My name is Tara. (Most people call me T.) I am the author of Finding Everyday Fruit and Waiting On Wonders, and a contributing author to the 30-Day Devotional, Chosen. I couldn’t be happier that you’ve chosen to read what I’m putting into the world. I pour out my words here every week, and if you enjoy them, I’d love for you to leave a comment, restack/share with friends, or add a little heart to let me know it resonated with you.

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Recently,  I sat down with the podcast team at Seacoast Church to discuss worship, brain injury, Finding Everyday Fruit, and gratitude in the middle of real life. I’d love for you to listen and share it with those who might be encouraged by it.

(Watch on YouTube below or stream anywhere you enjoy podcasts)

In the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to push myself to walk more. If you’ve read Finding Everyday Fruit, you might recall that in the Faithfulness chapter, in the section titled Equilibrium, I confessed that I had taken a little time off from exercise (22 years, to be exact). Add a brain injury, and well… let’s just call it an even 25. It’s not that I don’t enjoy exercise; it’s just that I had kids and then #life with a full-time career, and I blinked a few times, was down for a solid year, and then, oops, nearly a quarter of a century had passed. I do not recommend this as a life choice.

All said, now that I’m working on recovering and doing hard things every day, I thought, let’s add long walks to the list of things to challenge the brain and body. And so, enter T Banks walking for exercise. (And yes, I am one of those women. I walk in a weighted vest. I’m 50 and I have brittle bird bones and need all the help I can get.)

I like predictability and routines. I have found that patterns in my daily life help me manage my time more effectively and be more productive. Walking is now one of those. I walk at a set time on set days with a set route. It may seem boring to some, but it’s the stability that I need in a season where few things are. My current route is 5 miles. I head down the main sidewalk in my neighborhood for 2.5 miles, and then I stop and come right back. Simple.

Last week, I added a new pattern to my walk. As I walked the first 2.5 miles, I listened to music, a podcast, or simply enjoyed the birds, but on the way back, I shut it all down and took that time to pray. Not only did this mean I would be getting my body in order, but it also helped me create a new pattern of intentionality with the Lord to ensure my heart was getting in order, too. I’m finding these “way back” prayers help me have a regular time to focus and talk to the Lord about all that’s on my heart.

I don’t care if you are a Type A personality or not; having some structure and order in your life is a good idea. Not the rigid, legalistic kind, but having predictable times and schedules around life’s basics (eating, sleeping, working), and the other areas of your life (spiritual growth, time alone, time with others, health and wellness, etc.) will bless you! This kind of order mirrors what we see throughout Scripture and reflects God’s character (the entire Genesis creation account, Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, to name a few).

Jesus himself had disciplined, orderly patterns, such as observing the Sabbath, praying, having regular meals with friends, taking rest, and spending time alone with the Father. If my goal in life is to model my life after Jesus, and He prioritized this kind of organized life by planning things like this and engaging in spiritual disciplines, then I should do the same.

What patterns are active in your life? Where do you sense some areas that might need a bit more structure or routine? Making a few intentional adjustments to your daily and weekly schedule can help to bring freedom and the fruit of the Spirit of joy and peace, rather than a sense that your calendar is the boss of you and you “don’t have time.” (Friend, I’ve been there, too, and if you’d like help setting up a basic weekly routine with some predictable, repeatable patterns, I have been known to have ninja skills in organization. Feel free to reach out (hello@taralbanks.com). I’d love to help!)

I hope this little post reminds you that He always wants to teach you and point your heart toward His (even through stories about long walks and “way back” prayers) and that His presence and the fruit of a Spirit-filled life are available to you if you’re willing to raise your awareness to them.

Where are you finding the fruit of His Spirit today? What everyday moment will you allow Him to use to share with you the wonder of His presence?

Much love,

-TLB

P.S. Next week, I’ll be talking more about the new 30-Day devotional book, Chosen, and my story as a contributing writer. Get your copy HERE ahead of time!

P.P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest, and feel free to share the answers to the questions above in the comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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