Poem 1 of 30 by Christine Tracy

 

In the Quiet of the Hard

In the quiet places of the hard things

Are seeds of future gifts.

Good God gifts.

Gifts for you; for others.

Untie the ribbon of grief.

Open the wrapping paper of fear.

Look deep into the box of loss.

Now take hold of the promise.

Breathe in the glimmer of hope.

Notice the strategic seeds of serendipity.

Witness the new sprout, the growth, and the flower.

And remember the hard soil

that brought forth new life; new joy.

Coincidences: Is God Trying to Tell Us Something?

So do you think God doesn't speak to you? Perhaps you need to be aware of how He can speak. Today, I did the old "close-your-eyes-and-open-your-Bible-and-point" method.  It was exactly the encouragement I needed. You see, I'm getting older and wondering how effective anything I do ever is. Right after that thought went through my mind is when I pointed to this:

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him." (Psalm 92:14-15)

Coincidence, you say? I don't believe in coincidences anymore, except to define them as God revealing Himself in our circumstances.

Who Can I Help Today?

The other day I was unpacking boxes and found a bunch of old journals. While there were delightful memories of cute things my children said; adventures we shared; and wonderful prayers I penned; there were also some dark passages. My journals served as a wilderness therapist on my mountain in Colorado. I brought to them my uncertainties, my griefs, and my dark thoughts, along with my ideas, dreams, and goals. 

The tapestries of our lives are made up of good and bad; light and dark; rough and smooth; aren't they? 

My journals exposed some new truths to me, and reminded me of prayers that were never answered, highlighted by many cries to my God: "Will you please help me?"

I have heard it said God doesn't hide His promises and gifts from us; but He hides them for us to search out and find. So this week God gently, through my imagination, told me that I had been asking the wrong question. Instead of the "help me" prayer, I should try asking "Who can we help today?" In so doing, he showed me, I would find the answer to my first prayer, because as He helps others through me - He opens up my own spirit and soul to receive so much more "help" from Him. The flow is like a living stream that brings color and light and refreshing to not only my own soul - but to that of the person He shows me to bless.

My book, "Tapestry, The Divine Design for Your Life," is available for print and Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tplkBN

A Lone Voice in the Wilderness

You know the question people ask about "When a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?"

Sometimes I wonder that about my writing...and the media...especially right now. 

If there is no one around to read or listen...is there really a message? Or if only the people that agree with you are your readers or listeners...do you really make a difference?

One human did make a difference way back when. A wilderness wind carried a message from a strange soul to a scared and hungry people. A prophecy was fulfilled. People were strengthened. A King was revealed. A difference was certainly made.

Isaiah 40:3 -  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

www.christinetracy.com

The Holes in My Heart

I've had several holes in my heart. They appear when loved ones pass; when my children have been hurt; when I feel fear, or lose a sense of what I was created for. 

Holes have been repaired, filled, and stitched back together when there has been resolution, joy, peace, and solutions...when time has passed and healing has prevailed.

Today, even with the tumultuous year we have all had, I don't feel any holes or any stitches torn. It may be because I keep tuning into and praying for the truth of my being so that I can walk in that truth. I'm not there yet, but my focus is in the right place. I'm so thankful for the One who brings healing and strength; purpose and solitude; grace and forgiveness; purpose and identity.

I am not flailing in the abyss of virus or politics. But I do see the need for extra peace right now that can only come from the presence of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. 

The enemy would have us believe his lies and deception as we revel in controversy so that we become ineffective to fix what is broken. I don't want to go there. I want to rise above and stay connected heart to beating heart to the One - the only one - that is able to overcome.

I love you, my readers. I pray you, too, have a whole heart - free of confusion. I pray you are able to repel deception, walk in love and kindness, and trust in your Father in Heaven. I pray you are able to overcome and see clearly as I pray the same for myself.

www.christinetracy.com

Find my book, "Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life,"on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iavMYH

What's Good About 2020?

I've always been one who tries to see the good in situations that appear not-so-good. I do this because I feel like all things can be redeemed, restored, and renewed.

So what do I see in 2020?

I see an amazing passion among people to stand up for what they believe.

I see people sincerely looking for truth and honesty.

I see a new breed of people that see value and promise in personal experience in business and life.

I see people earnestly seeking to step into their calling and equipping themselves through so much available right now online.

I see a beautiful country that is beloved by its citizens who are ready to fight for it.

I see people taking a stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - even if it means they are having to change and overrule the dogma that has deceived them.

I see a fierce and beautiful independence, coupled with compassion, love, and sacrifice.

I see children becoming aware there is so much to our freedom.

I see the people of God - the bride of Christ - armed with prayer, worship, and hope as they navigate the current climate.

I see the Church stepping out of the walls and into the streets of life - 24 / 7 - and understanding and exercising the power of love and kindness.

If you don't see this yet, start watching for it. It is an amazing time to be alive.

With love (and kindness) to all.

Chris

www.christinetracy.com

Hunger vs. Satisfaction

Every morning, my husband, Rick, and I have coffee, read, and converse about what we're learning. We study in our little reading nook while cuddling with our aussie-doodle Daisy, just enjoying the early hours. I love these times. Anne of Green Gables calls mornings "a new day with no mistakes in it."                                 I want to talk about this hunger we have to learn. We weren't always like this. Before, we wanted satisfaction; contentment; and peace. But this kind of hunger we have is for a God who has built that hunger into us himself. It seeks truth, creativity, hope, and adventure. There are no negatives in this type of hunger. This is not striving for something unreachable. It is not the hunger of poverty. What it is is a reveling in the presence of a Person we love - and we just always want more.

Psalm 84:2 - "Deep within me are these lovesick longings,

desires and daydreams of living in union with you.
When I’m near you my heart and my soul
will sing and worship with my joyful songs of you,
my true source and spring of life!"

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has also set eternity in the human heart."

Stir up your own hunger for God! My book, "Tapestry, the Divine Design for Your Life" will help you. Available on Amazon in print and Kindle. https://amzn.to/3li0dNn