Didn’t think I’d be asking for prayer about this … but I am.

The next thirteen days of our family’s life are going to be very hard.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve at the PCA Women’s Leadership Conference this week, but it requires two days of flying (Wednesday & Saturday) and a very long day of teaching workshops and a keynote back-to-back-to-back on Friday. On top of that, I will be home for just under twelve hours from Saturday midnight to noon Sunday (just enough time to hopefully do one load of laundry and refill my toiletries) and then I’ll be flying all afternoon/evening Sunday to participate in a training event in Texas related to helping people to appropriate God’s grace as they reflect, in particular, on childhood traumas they suffered.

That’s four days (8 flights) of actual “strapped to an airplane seat” time and a LOT of days either standing in front of hundreds of people serving or intensely studying/working from 8:30AM-9:30PM all day for five days.

In a normal situation, I could really use your prayers. I’m old and out of shape and it would be challenging if things were just the status quo re: my health. But sadly, I’ve had a (I’m trying to be delicate here) regularly recurring (i.e. monthly) EXTRAORDINARY challenge that, if it happens on schedule this month, will be 100%, smack-dab in the middle of my back-to-back teaching and flying this Friday and Saturday. And honestly? I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to get through it.

So I’m asking for prayer.

Please join me in praying that God Who is sovereign over both my soul and my body will please work a mini-miracle and make a way for my body to NOT freak out just this weekend. I know women’s bodies freak out and it’s no big deal and I’m getting older and it’s just something I have to deal with. Which I will do—in two weeks. When I’m home. But I don’t know how I’m going to get through it while standing on a dais for hours or being strapped down in airplanes for hour after hour after hour.

Thanks, friends. I appreciate your prayers so very much!

Happy Monday—
Tara B.

7 Comments

Karen Phillips

February 18, 2013 at 11:31 am

Will absolutely be praying for you in this. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our Lord and His church.

Janice Mutchler

February 18, 2013 at 12:15 pm

I am praying for you Tara!! Thank you for serving despite the potential for physical suffering. I have experienced similar challenges, and know the Lord will be present with you. See you in a few days.

martha brady

February 18, 2013 at 12:40 pm

so interesting, the things we need to pray for one another…and the things we must trust GOD for in ministry! it will be a privilege to pray for you tara…and your family as well.

Sharon Betters

February 18, 2013 at 1:14 pm

Tara, you have eloquently described real life for a woman in your position! And, on top of that is the separation from your sweet girls and hubby. My sister will be at the Leadership Training along with several women from Glasgow Church. I’m thrilled you are one of their speakers – your message always rings true. I am confident that no matter what your body does – God’s purposes will stand and you will be teaching in ways you may never have expected. You are loved and prayed for, dear sister.

Chrissy D.

February 18, 2013 at 5:20 pm

I’m with you, girl. My body betrayed me (as it were) in much the same way last year. I am a children’s librarian, and do my share (obviously not to the extent you do) of standing in front of people each week, so I was very wary every month! God was merciful to me, and I will certainly be praying for His mercies to cover you!

Lauri B

February 19, 2013 at 5:16 pm

Privileged to join in prayer for you and your family! “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom. 10:15.

tara

February 20, 2013 at 3:57 pm

Thank you SO much, friends! I can’t tell you how much your prayers and your notes mean to me.

I’ve had a lot more peace about everything in the last few days—I’m now at the point where I’ve done everything I can to avoid, well, massive public humiliation. But maybe that’s supposed to be a part of my life story? If so, may God be glorified. I’m not going waste time worrying about something I can’t control—

Thank you for praying for my situation AND for my heart!

Much love to you all,
Tara B.

Karen Phillips

February 18, 2013 at 11:31 am

Will absolutely be praying for you in this. Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our Lord and His church.
Janice Mutchler

February 18, 2013 at 12:15 pm

I am praying for you Tara!! Thank you for serving despite the potential for physical suffering. I have experienced similar challenges, and know the Lord will be present with you. See you in a few days.
martha brady

February 18, 2013 at 12:40 pm

so interesting, the things we need to pray for one another…and the things we must trust GOD for in ministry! it will be a privilege to pray for you tara…and your family as well.
Sharon Betters

February 18, 2013 at 1:14 pm

Tara, you have eloquently described real life for a woman in your position! And, on top of that is the separation from your sweet girls and hubby. My sister will be at the Leadership Training along with several women from Glasgow Church. I’m thrilled you are one of their speakers – your message always rings true. I am confident that no matter what your body does – God’s purposes will stand and you will be teaching in ways you may never have expected. You are loved and prayed for, dear sister.
Chrissy D.

February 18, 2013 at 5:20 pm

I’m with you, girl. My body betrayed me (as it were) in much the same way last year. I am a children’s librarian, and do my share (obviously not to the extent you do) of standing in front of people each week, so I was very wary every month! God was merciful to me, and I will certainly be praying for His mercies to cover you!
Lauri B

February 19, 2013 at 5:16 pm

Privileged to join in prayer for you and your family! “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom. 10:15.
tara

February 20, 2013 at 3:57 pm

Thank you SO much, friends! I can’t tell you how much your prayers and your notes mean to me.

I’ve had a lot more peace about everything in the last few days—I’m now at the point where I’ve done everything I can to avoid, well, massive public humiliation. But maybe that’s supposed to be a part of my life story? If so, may God be glorified. I’m not going waste time worrying about something I can’t control—

Thank you for praying for my situation AND for my heart!

Much love to you all,
Tara B.