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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Several times in the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations around a similar theme: people feeling “in over their heads” in business or in a situation they are facing. They go on to explain that they feel out of their depth as they face a decision they must make or a responsibility they are carrying, and are unsure how to navigate it.

I can totally understand.

As a self-proclaimed fan of information, I love learning new things and how things work. Naturally, this puts me “in over my head” 99% of the time. On-the-job training is a regular thing for me as I work on whatever new thing I want to learn. But, after I’ve struggled through it, on the other side, I’ve learned a new skill, done something hard, and have a sense of accomplishment when it’s all said and done.

A few months ago, I was asked to write an entry for a 30-day devotional called Chosen. It was released by my church, Seacoast Church, at the Chosen Women’s Conference last month. The devotional is a celebration of women who are learning to recognize how to become more confident in God’s purpose in their lives and fearlessly live it out. It’s my honor to be a published author for the third time! 🎉

The piece I wrote is entitled “A Stretch For Me” and discusses a time in ministry when I was asked to step into something that put me so far in over my head that I wasn’t even sure I would make it. (Spoiler alert: I made it.)

This brings me back to the conversations I’ve been having recently. In talking through those, I had the realization that I actually really love being in over my head. Not just because it means I’m in a learning/stretching/growing time, but because I know myself well enough to know how I operate when I’m not.

Stick with me. I’m a real, live human with real faults. If I feel confident that I can do something or know solidly the decision to make, I’m tempted to think good things about myself, my abilities, and take all the credit when things go well. (Again, 100% human. Pride is gross, but we all struggle with it from time to time.)

However, if I’m out of my depth, then I have no ability or talent to lean on, no real knowledge of how it will turn out, and I have to depend on the Lord in such a way that ONLY He would be able to get me out of the situation, help me grow through it, or make a way. If I’m in over my head, HE gets the credit for how it turns out, and I know full well that anything good that happens is because of HIM, not because of any of my effort or knowledge or smarts.

This doesn’t mean I shouldn’t feel confident in my God-given wisdom and decision-making or in what I know how to do, but it does mean that I have to be careful not to claim responsibility for the outcome.

Being in over your head is a great thing. It keeps us from pride and keeps our dependence on the Lord, where it should be. This helps us grow in an awareness of His presence (because we need Him so desperately) and in the fruit of the Spirit, specifically patience, as we wait on Him to bring about the best results.

I’d love for you to pick up a copy of the devotional, Chosen, and read not only my account of trying to become more confident in God’s purpose for my life, but also the accounts of other women who are doing the same. (It would also make a great Christmas gift!) Get your copy HERE.

I hope this little story reminds you that He always wants to teach you and point your heart toward His (even through stories about being in over your head) 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 it.

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

Much love,

-TLB

P.S. New post next week - 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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