Poem #12 of 30 by Christine Tracy

The Grand Embrace

In the quiet of thankfulness:

I overcome

Sickness

Fears

Doubts

Regrets

Broken dreams

Instead...

I welcome

Health

Family

Love

Work

Home

Provision

Especially

The grand Embrace

That hug

That keeps me safe

And fulfilled

Content in His life.

Of Fuel Pumps, Spark Plugs, Glitches, and Grace

I can't figure it out. Either Colorado doesn't want to let us go back to Texas...or our truck really doesn't like Colorado. So...what to do when you're carless and have five days in one of your favorite cities? Here are 5 things.
1 - Learn to use the very cool apps called Uber and Uber Eats. (Thank you, Bess Tracy, for tutoring us.
2 - Watch all the episodes of Manifest you've missed while on vacation by using your phone's DirecTV app.
3 - Enjoy Blarney on Belmar - including amazing Irish bagpipe, stepdancing, and  Irish pub rock in the Belmar shopping neighborhood. Awesome.
4 - Try Vietnamese food. Yum.
5 - Spend downtime outside in the cool air and warm sun - talking, reading, and resting. Oh Colorado!
A few days ago, I read a Facebook meme from Brene Brown that read: "Assume others are doing the best they can." I love that - both for others and for ourselves. We are indeed doing the best we can. Lord, help me find the goodness, hope, and thankfulness in every situation.

- Even at the Ford service center.

"Live inside the grace of one day." - Wm. Paul Young

Thankful in Every Season

Though late fall may seem a bit drab compared to winter white or summer color, take a moment to find the beauty in its breeze, fragrance, quiet, peace. Every time of the year is its own part of creation – waiting for you to find it and be thankful.

Psalm 107:1 - Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

A Simple Hallelujah!

Rick and I had a musical weekend! Saturday we went to a "Brewgrass Festival"  in a popular Denver neighborhood. We enjoyed bluegrass music (our fav) along with thousands of others packed like sardines up close to the stage. Then Sunday, we were shopping for flowers at our local nursery. A fiddle player and drummer were there to entertain shoppers. (Brilliant!) When they played John Lennon's "Imagine," I couldn't help but sing along while picking out my Snapdragons.

Music is my love language. It gathers friends, fills souls, makes memories, brings healing, and creates atmospheres. There is a spirit in song and music that transcends our differences. Even when I play and sing my old-time folk songs (Rick calls them my protest songs), I love their words of love, not hate; and peace, not war.

But I would say that, above all the songs and music genres I love, the song of my life is a simple "Hallelujah" song that sings my heart's "thanks" to my God for His blessings and promises - a praise to the one who brings freedom on every level and in every situation.

Do you have a life song?

Psalm 96 - Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God - worship God! Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea. Take the news of his glory to the lost. News of his wonders to one and all! (The Message)

Photo - If I were to name this tree, I would call her "Symphony in the Snow."

February 16 - Bless Your Helpers

There are those in your life that deserve honor for what they have done to give you a better chance in life. Bless them today!

Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (NIV)