by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:27, NKJ
As women we tend to wear a lot of “hats” everyday without even realizing it! We just know that we are exhausted each night – can I get an Amen? Within a twenty-four hour period women often fill the roles of: wife, mother, business woman, chef, chauffeur, counselor, daughter, aunt, bible study leader, school teacher, fashion consultant, friend and this is not comprehensive list by any means! It is no wonder studies have shown that women in America feel overwhelmed and dissatisfied. Needless to say, it is imperative that you take care of yourself!
Notice in the verse above that in addition to loving your neighbor (i.e. preparing meals for a family grieving, volunteering at your local church and listening to a friend in need), we are also commanded to love ourselves!
So let me ask you: Are you good to yourself? Do you take time for you or does everything and everyone else take precedence? I am going to guess that most of us reading this blog (including myself) often fall short in this area. But the truth is, if we don’t take care of ourselves – we will eventually reach the point where we can no longer function! When we find ourselves exhausted and overwhelmed, depression can creep in if we are not careful. So, if you are reading this today please know that I love you and I plead with you to take care of yourself:)
I give you permission to take care of you! Let’s start right now – I want you to think of something that you can do for yourself today… go ahead and think about it and then DO IT!
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for taking care of everyone else, but me. I choose this day to take better care of me. You have entrusted me with a special purpose while here on earth and by taking care of myself – I WILL fulfill my destiny in Christ! Thank you God for this gentle reminder and I will love my neighbor as I love myself this day.” Amen.
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Behold I will do a new thing, and it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19.
– This post is a longer than normal, but I promise you that it is worth the read. Enjoy:)
*When I was a little girl, I loved stuffed animals. I had so many on my bed each night, that I barely had any room for me! I named them all one by one and if any of them fell off the bed during the night I would apologize to them and purposefully place them closest to me the next night. While my obsession of having hundreds of stuffed animals has lessened with my growing age, I will admit to having one stuffed animal, named Brian during my college years. He was a fluffy white bunny with long ears and a smile. I loved him deeply and my bunny saw me through the best and worst of times. I would hold onto him tightly each night and snuggle with him, especially after a long day. During the hard times, he would absorb my tears into his mangled fur as they fell from my face. Needless to say, what started out as a beautiful bunny began to resemble a tattered lamb.
When I married my husband, Michael, we each selected one thing we wanted the other person to get rid of prior to our honeymoon. And can you believe that he chose for me to get rid of my beloved white fluffy bunny? While letting go of Brian was not any easy task, I felt consoled because I would soon hold tightly onto my new husband in this new season of life. I was counting on him to perform all that my bunny had these past eight years.
Unbeknownst to me, with the letting go of Brian, I shifted my hold onto my husband and also my best friend, Kelly. This was all well and good until Kelly moved into her beautiful new home – in Egypt!! Don’t get me wrong – I was thrilled for her, but to my dismay her new home was 45 minutes away from mine! I would never have thought of myself as someone who held tightly onto things. After all, I did move every few years and I considered myself very adaptable. But Kelly and I had planned to get pregnant together and that she would watch my children when I worked a few days each week and her recent move upset our beautiful plans.
It was at this point that God began to speak to me that I had been holding tightly onto things throughout my entire life. God graciously revealed to me that the only thing I am to hold tightly onto is Him. People will move, relationships will change, but God never does! I finally told Kelly of my struggles and asked for her forgiveness for being selfish. She of course was wonderful, and reaffirmed that no one could ever replace me in her life. Our heart-to-heart talk was a blessing and we made a pact to work hard at getting together even with the new distance between our homes. I then hung up the phone with her and prayed for the Lord to bless her new home and our friendship.
Next, I had a heart-to-heart talk with God. He showed me that by holding onto things tightly, He wasn’t able to bring new blessings into my life. Tears filled my eyes as He spoke this truth to me. Then I happened to look over at my little Maltese dog, Noah, and it hit me just how much he looked like my old bunny “Brian.” He was soft and white with fluffy ears. Yet, I love Noah so much more! I also found out that a new friend of mine is moving into a neighborhood down the street from me. I began to realize that God has many new blessings to bring my way, if I will just let go and trust Him to bring them to me.
We can easily hold onto Jesus because He is already holding onto us!
Truth be told, I still miss my mangled bunny and I will forever miss the close proximity of my best friend, but I now know that I must let go and “Behold I (the Lord) will do a new thing, and it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). You see, if we will just let go and grab onto Christ, a new thing will appear. So, let me ask you, Is there anything you are holding onto tightly? If so, I encourage you to let go and hold tightly to God’s Word and His promises for you this New Year because if you do -The best is yet ahead!
*Published Article by Tracy Hurst: Christian Chronicle/2003
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12, NKJ
I found myself singing a song last week while playing with my daughter in our back yard and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind! Some of you may remember this chorus, it goes something like this…“Lord, you are more precious than silver, Lord you are more costly than gold and Lord you are more beautiful than diamonds and nothing I desire compares with You.” I remember singing this song in church many years ago, but I can honestly say that these words are now truth in my life. I am a woman with many dreams and ambitions, but when it comes right down to it – Just give me Jesus!
I find myself in an unfamiliar place this Christmas. In years past I have longed for so many things – material possessions, peace, safety and love – all of which are fine, but the truth of the matter is, Jesus holds all of these things and more. As the song so beautifully illustrates, I no longer care about fame or riches untold – Just give me Jesus!
What do you need this Christmas? Do you need money to pay your bills or food for your pantry? Do you need peace for your mind or a son or daughter to return home? Do you need restoration in your marriage or a healing miracle? No matter what you need, your answer is found in Jesus. He came to this earth and performed miracles; He gave His life willingly on the cross and arose from the dead; He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords – He is Jesus and He is everything you need!
Merry Christmas Friends,
Tracy Hurst
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:14-15, NKJ
No matter how careful you are people on occasion are going to misunderstand you. But the truth of the matter is we can also fall prey to jumping to conclusions ourselves! This is why I am so grateful that God knows the intentions of our hearts. As much as we long to live at peace with man, our overall goal is to remain at peace with God. Whatever people may say or think about you, if you can lay your head down on your pillow at night knowing that everything is okay between you and God – all can be well with your soul.
As we embark on Christmas gatherings this year, lets remember to extend grace. When our friends or family members misunderstand us – we can trust that God knows our heart! We can do everything humanly possible to create a warm, loving environment, but at the end of the day, if our hearts are clear before God – everything is a-okay! The one person who will never misunderstand you is your Heavenly Father. He knows you inside and out and nothing can separate you from His love! Selah (pause and think about that for a moment).
Many blessings to you this Christmas season and remember the greatest gift of all is Jesus!
Prayer:
“Lord, I love you and I am so thankful that you know my heart. I don’t like it when people misunderstand me, but as long as you and I are alright – everything can be well with my soul. Help me to not judge others. Help me to be quick to forgive and extend mercy. Please bless my friends and family this Christmas. May Your Presence be with us and may our focus be on the celebration of your birth. You are the Reason for the Season and I bless Your Holy Name.” Amen.
Check out this awesome video by a pastor concerning the debate between retail stores verbalizing, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” – you will love it:) //www.citizenlink.org/content/A000005834.cfm
Photo Above is from: www.freefoto.com
by Tracy | Inspirational, Tuesdays With Tracy
Me with some of my family:)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7, NKJ
It’s time to let the past be in the past and to become men and women of Grace. God once shared with me before a family gathering, “Tracy, a woman of Grace never brings up the past sins of another person. Just as I have forgiven and covered your sin under The Blood, you must also cover the sins of others… A woman of Grace always builds up and never tears down.” I will never forget these words because they were like water to my soul. You see, I have a shameful past, but God never reminds me of it. Sure, there are times when I reflect on what God has done in my life, but never with despair or regret, but with thanksgiving of what God’s Grace has done.
So, as you sit with your family and friends this Holiday season, I encourage you to build up and not tear down, speak life and not death, extend mercy and not judgment, express love and not hate, offer forgiveness and not bitterness, share of God’s goodness and no matter what happens at your Holiday gathering – be men and women of Grace .
Trust that when evil is spoken of you, God will take care of it. All you need to do is simply walk in God’s grace and no evil plan shall prosper. God will send His angels concerning you as you flow in His love. And may God grant us all a Graceful Gathering!
Prayer:
“Lord, please forgive me of my sins and cover them in Your Precious Blood. I rebuke the devil and his tormenting spirits – I am forgiven and redeemed – I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. Help me Lord to be a person seasoned with Grace. I will no longer bring up the past sins of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but use my mouth to build up and edify. I ask for a Graceful Gathering this year and I realize this desire starts with me. No matter what happens Lord, I invite you to be with me this Holiday season. Guard my lips and heart as I choose to trust that You will vindicate me when needed.” Amen.
by Tracy | Inspirational, Practical, Tuesdays With Tracy
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!” Psalm 105, 1-2, NKJ Version
I am thankful:
For the baby that wakes up
In the middle of the night,
Because it means I am
Blessed to be a parent.
For all the unanswered prayers
Which were never fulfilled,
Because it means that God had something better.
For the wife who serves leftover
Spaghetti for the third time this week,
Because it means she is feeding me and
Not someone else.
For the lonely times
When God feels far away,
Because it sharpens my ears
To hear God’s voice.
For the floors that need vacuuming,
The tables that need dusting and the
Bathrooms that need cleaning,
Because it means I have a home.
For the car that continually breaks down
And the rising gas prices,
Because it means I have transportation.
For all the angry and bitter
People in my life,
Because it gives me
A chance to love them unconditionally.
For the sink of dirty dishes,
Because it means I have two hands
And I was able to prepare a meal.
For the husband who constantly
Watches sports in the living room,
Because it means that he is
At home and not out with another woman.
For the list of phone calls to return,
Emails to be read and thank you notes to be mailed,
Because it means I have friends.
For the children who fuss
Over doing their homework,
Because it means they are safe
And at home with me.
For the boss and co-workers
That drive me crazy,
Because it means I have a job.
For the disagreement between
myself and another person,
Because it means we are
Working through an issue.
For the times when my prayers
Seem to go nowhere,
Because the prayer offered by a friend
Was exactly what I needed.
For the clothes that no longer fit,
Because it means I have plenty to eat.
For the wrinkles around my mouth,
Because it means I have had a reason to smile.
To live in America
Because it means that I can
Own a Bible and read it in public.
For the difficult days
Because it makes my good days
Even better!
In all things…Give thanks! Pass it on!
Tracy Hurst @ – www.tracyhurst.com
Laugh Often, Love Much and Fulfill Your Destiny
To watch my “Give Thanks” video on youtube.com click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBNHbwqIR2c
