Thankful for Tamar

I feel like I should give warning to whoever may be reading this, but this particular blog is more personal than my others thus far. I was skeptical about writing on this subject, not knowing the reaction it may cause, but it is what God has laid on my heart today and I feel like it is what I need to share.

Recently I have been reading about Tamar from the bible. She was a Canaanite woman that ended up marrying, against her will, the eldest son of Judah, Er. Er was what most considered a despicable man and after his sudden death, custom decided that she would be passed down to Judah's second son, Onan. After he, too, died suddenly, Judah wasn't as willing to give her to his third and last son, Shelah. 

The story of Tamar is fascinating and I would highly recommend any and all to read her trying testimony. From where I left off, her story continues to decline to the lowest parts of her life and also triumphs in the glorious moments in her life. But here's what gets me about her story....

She wasn't brought up to praise the God of Judah, the God of Jacob. She had heard stories, though, of this God who "had turned Sodom and Gomorrah to rubble beneath a storm of fire and brimstone." She constantly wandered why the Canaanite people worshiped gods made of clay. She never feared these gods. She feared our God. 

Tamar never wanted into these marriages with the sons of Judah. She was beaten, abused, mocked, ridiculed, cursed, and so much more, yet she always had hope for what she did not know. I can't even begin to imagine what she went through. But her faith amazes me. It didn't take much for her to have faith in our God and once she made that commitment, she never looked back.

I know you may think I'm going to talk about faith and to a degree, I am. But lately, a topic on my mind has been relationships.

Here at school, it seems like everyone has a significant other and for a girl being so far away from home, that concept sounds really nice. It's hard sometimes to view other people being so seemingly happy with their relationships. One thing that this story of Tamar has taught me is that God is in all of our relationships. God knew what He was doing when He allowed Tamar to marry Er, Onan, and eventually Judah. He had a purpose, He had a plan and through all of her trials, she kept faith in our loving God. 

I know I don't have it bad. I'm blessed beyond measure. But this story helps remind me that God has a plan for my relationship status and it's not something that should be concerning my thoughts. I will continue to have faith in God, no matter where he leads me. If Tamar can deal with the beating, the abuse, the pain, and the hurt in her relationships and continually have faith in God, then I certainly can too. I am where I am right now because thats where God wants me. 

I'm so thankful for Tamar and people like her who are able to teach me so much about living through their own testimonies. No matter your status right now, have faith that God will pull you through it. He always does :)