Nothing Is As Good As The Good Shepherd

 

I keep putting off writing. I have this overwhelming desire to write each day but never do anything. I desire to write yet I still procrastinate because nothing is good enough. I put it off because I don't have the perfectly formulated plan or good enough words at the moment. Honestly maybe it is fear that holds me back but mostly I keep thinking I don't have a good enough blog site, enough readers or the perfect words. You get the idea, don't you?

The end of December 2021 I moved into the city limits of my small community. No more country scenery with animals or 1/2 acre garden beds to tend to. I have mourned the loss of living in the county but in the last three months I have seen the abundance of good in moving to my new home. It has allowed my husband and I to become debt free, we are in a beautiful home that has a lot of character that actually reminds me of a English Cottage and I will still have a raised bed garden to tend to. The scale of my new garden will be much better for my aging back and still satisfy my longing to grow food. It has been a journey these past few months and God is reminding me that following His calling doesn't keep us in our comfort zones. When my husband and I decided we were to move it was not comfortable. If you have moved ever moved your family you know what I mean. So all this leads me to my feelings of not good enough. He moves us to walk by faith and that is never easy. It is uncomfortable and writing is taking me out of my comfort zone.  

Why do I feel this way if I know God moved me from a good place to an even better place? 

 He moved me from a good and comfortable place to use me. I am not saying where I am now is not good or comfortable but God knew what I needed. There are things I think I lack when I compare my writing or blog to others but God uses us where we are to grow us like the garden grows. Seeds breaking through the ground towards the light. Little by little the outer shell is broken and then we grow. We need practice doing anything. I need to practice writing and do it whether or not anyone reads, comments or gives a thumbs up or a heart. LOL. 

My goal is to keep my focus on the goodness of Jesus not focus on what isn't perfect or good enough. I believe in the confidence of Jesus, I call it Christ confidence.  Things change and God has shown me over the last few years as the world around us has drastically changed but He never does. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) My mind is where satan can easily find a way to sabatoge my confidence. I don't want to allow Him to snatch my joy. Staying in The Word keeps me able to hear Jesus speak to my spirit. I need that to stay this course. I am thankful for His security and abundant love everyday. (John 10:28) I saw this quote from Phylicia Masonheimers blog this week and it really spoke to how I feel. "May His abundance never scare you" Yes and Amen! I am not ever going to feel good enough but Jesus is! He is the reason I am here writing now. 

This has encouraged me just getting these thoughts onto the screen. I want to continue to encourage you that our eyes can be blind to the work of God around us if we are too focused on ourselves. This self centered view I have had for months has paralyzed me from doing anything. I said at the beginning I have been putting off writing because nothing felt good enough. Well, I stopped seeing myself and started seeing that God is good enough. Jesus came to earth as the Good Shepherd to share the gospel with people who saw Him and some who did not. I am grateful He has given my heart eyes to see Him and ears to hear Him and His Word to share with you. 

Share with me what is holding you back from doing something God is calling you to?

Bless you friend

tracy 

Lessons In Serving My Local Church

  

  Grace and Truth Hand Knit And Stamped Bracelet 

I had to keep the church nursery again this week. My heart was already weary from a busy week of work and taking care of my own kids. Now I was asked to do one more hour of service at church. Our church was small and the volunteers were even smaller in number. 

I can remember as a mom of littles being absolutely tired of chasing my kids at home much less taking them to church and do it in front of everyone. I saw it as one more place to find myself struggling to keep up. I was struggling to see the importance of serving in the midst of my own struggles at home. I didn’t think I had it me but I would go and you know what I leaned? 

God met me there and equipped me every time. It never failed that someone would always show up to help ease my weary heart and rally my own kids. I would then be encouraged to keep the nursery and later on teach for that one hour in our church. 

I eventually saw that time every week as holy ground that God used me to serve. I learned so many lessons for my own heart. I learned serving God isn’t easy but when I show up He always does too. 

Serving has shown me what the heart of Jesus looks like. Jesus was a servant and if I want to reflect my Savior then my heart had to learn how to reflect His. As I looked around at those serving my family they were showing me how to be selfless because they weren’t exempt from bad days and struggles either. They loved me and my family well. Kindness and grace filled their words. They reminded me that I was doing the best I could as a mom. Not to mention the countless prayer warriors God sent my way. So no mater the size of the church it needs more servants for the kingdom. 

Today I want you as a mom to be encouraged you are doing your best. The days can be long and tiring but the Lord refreshes the soul. (Psalm23:3) Jesus will equip you to serve not only your family but in your church body. 

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”

1 Peter 1:3 

Have you had a God Moment?

 These wee little hands closed up tight and each finger interlocked as if she were going to pray when really she was desperately wanted her bottle. LOL

My heart completely melted when I saw these hands and of course I had to snap this picture like any Grandmother would right? I can see my own hands clasping together in prayer and God speaking to my spirit. God holding me and telling my spirirt the desires of my heart are from Him. I need to walk by faith and not sight. To not look at how long it will take to happen but to just take one day at a time walking in by the Spirit.  

God moments happen like that when you are least expecting and maybe even when your heart is weary and broken. Many of us are weary, sad and fearing the unknown and can’t hear anything except a noisy world. Noise can stir up anxious thoughts and I don't think God is in the business of stirring our hearts toward fear. He sends abundance and His goodness awaits us. We need to find a way to block the noise and take time to slow down, listen, and see what God is saying instead of the noisy world. 

You might find this happens..

God sends an angel to put a smile on your face, or to remind you that He is there with you and the love is so overwhelming you might become a puddle of tears from it.  Listen closely for God’s whisper, it’s going to be okay. 

Faith is a muscle that we will need to continually stretch in our life and I am so grateful for God's reminders of His goodness through pain and healing.

May we hold fast to the Lord Jesus Christ like these tiny hands pictured for nourishment of our hearts and souls everyday!  Bless you friends! 

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 

Faith and Prayer

 “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:20‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Our faith is always being tested. Prayer requires our faith, trust and submission to God.  God said nothing is impossible for Him but my faith hasn’t always displayed that belief.  A big part of prayer is believing God. 

There has been a heaviness lately on my heart and I couldn’t believe God would ask such a hard thing of me but God does ask us hard things of us sometimes like leaving the closeness of family, the comfortable home/job or to be a caregiver to someone. 

All these things can stretch us emotionally and be super hard but Jesus is who we are to trust and follow. He is where our loyalty lies in the face of decisions.  Come to Him in faith, believe and our joy will be made complete. (John 16:24) 

Today may my heart believe God. That He has my best in mind even when I don’t see or understand but that I will follow and may our mountains be moved today because we trust in Jesus name, amen! 

Bless you friends! 

Waging War Against the Enemy

 

For although we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war in fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. 

1 Corinthians 10:3-4

I feel like we can see and feel the spiritual war going on around us more than ever. Can you see it too?  

It’s always been there and even in my life I feel it.  Spiritual dryness has crept in since March and I have struggled to keep doing what God wants of me.  I have questioned why are bad things happening around us and found looking for the goodness of God amongst all the bad we can easily see helps my attitude and helps me to lift my eyes upward instead of down and inward. 

Strongholds of sin and spiritual dryness can be demolished by picking up the armor of God. (See Ephesians 6)  It is this discipline of going to God even when we don’t feel like it and waging war against the enemy who wants to keep us away from seeing the good.  God will reward you and you will see the faithfulness of God around you as we in His strength seek Him. 

His Word is living and active and it will fill us up like fuel and soften our hearts toward Him and others. Praying will give us power and hope that only comes from Christ!  

Pray: 

Lord, arm me with your words today that I will hear them louder than the enemy. 

Forgive me where I have been lazy in seeking you for help when I don’t feel like it.  It is in my weakness you are magnified. You are my strength and I have hope because of you Lord💜 amen

Blessings 

tracy 

Delighting in the Lord Instead of Self

Prayers through Psalms Series 

Day 1 

Definition of the word delight means to please or take pleasure in. 


Delighting in God was far from my mind when thinking about when I was living in sin although there was delight. It was in self gratification and what made me feel good. It was in hearing words that tickled my ears or put a smile on my face. There was part of my life that was hidden. It wasnt hidden from God though.  I had let myself be given over to my temptations. I was living a life for self satisfaction. I use to seek love in the wrong places and long to be noticed. I sank to be bottom of the pit slowly and I needed rescuing.  In my soul I heard the Spirit leading me out and I finally  followed. It was painful and a sad time but nothing lost compares to the gain of confidence, forgiveness and love that I will never earn but receive in abundance from Jesus Christ.  

All this to say, God made a way for me and He will do jt for you too. Find your delight in the Lord not in self, in love from others, money, or your kids.  Our heart will deceive you and people will disappoint you at some point BUT Jesus will never fail. 



To delight in God is to meditate on His instruction.

but his delight is in the law[a] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

When we are living in sin and turned away from God then we cannot take delight in Him. We are not hearing His instruction.  I was that person before I turned away from sin and toward God.  God wants His children back. He is waiting for you always. 

Read: Psalm 18:16-19 

16  He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

17  He rescued me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

18  They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the LORD was my support.

19  He brought me out into a broad place;

he rescued me, because he  delighted in me.

PRAYER

Pray that God would weaken what is holding you or your loved one in sin. Pray that God would draw you or your loved one out of the many waters that billow over them. Praise God you delight in us even we are not delighting in you, Lord.


blessings -
tracy

What I learned after accepting Christ

Give Me Jesus Bracelet

When I look back at my life, I can see that receiving Gods salvation was the easy decision when I was 13 years old. I can see now what I was missing in my life after I accepted Christ as my Savior was a understanding of surrendering to His Spirit inside me. I never understood this life was meant to be walked out in His Spirit not me walking without thought of Him helping me.  ⁣

I was taught growing up to be in control of my life. You can do whatever you want but work hard for it. So it was so hard for me to rely totally on Jesus.  I believed He had my eternity covered BUT the here and now I wasn’t completely surrendered. I didn’t believe it because my knowledge wasn’t in the Word of God.  It was in what the enemy knew I would cling to for a very long time, control. I would continue to believe in what I could control around me or if I worked harder everything would work out.  ⁣

⁣

It was such a turning point for me when I totally surrendered to God.  I broke down and felt the weakest I have ever felt.  This is a terrible feeling for someone who likes control.  In my prayers I heard God whispering come to me, “I have always been here.” “Give it all to me.”  ⁣

⁣

When I surrendered to Him and finally received His gifts to me. I listened to the Spirit, I couldn’t get enough of God, His Word and His transforming power. I saw the strongholds fall in my life and finally understood His grace.⁣

It’s been a daily surrender and I hope you will join me!  

-tracy 

What I Get to Do!

Hand Knit & Hand Stamped Bracelets 

I love creating custom knit bracelets for you guys.
I love beginning something new and selecting the colors. Just like every new beginning there is an excitement and possibilities of what you can do with it.  Our master creator, God, created us like that and gives us a “new beginning” doesn’t He? He knit us together to bear His image, to be His representatives. (Gen. 1:27)
 God made us perfectly imperfect for His glory.

Nothing I create is for my fame but is to make Jesus famous!
I want to share the gift I have been given with y’all everyday I “get” to be creative🤗 🙌🏻

What has God given you that you “get to” do?


Blessings friends
Tracy

Good Morning from the Garden

Good Morning friends! 

As gardeners we love to grow things but we must tend the soil put in good nutrients and give the right amounts of water and plant the seeds.  The plants will grow although each at their own pace and differences.  This parallel to our own lives fascinated me and really gives me new perspective every time I am in the garden. I have learned so much in this first year of gardening and I haven’t arrived at a place where I am “good.”  I see it as a lifetime of tending the soil and growing but the Master gardener who is perfect shares His wisdom with me and I find rest and enjoyment for my soul by the work of my hands and heart.  I grow as the plants grow with stronger roots everyday, little by little.  

Who else is dreaming of the garden? 

What have you learned?  

Lettuce bags are going in today in my very tiny greenhouse.  I will try to share more later. 

If you are interested?  Comment and share your thoughts below 

My mug is from one of my favorite Christian shops  The Daily Grace Co 

Blessings -

tracy

Why I am Celebrating Easter

Thy Will be Done Hand Stamped Black Bracelet

Hello Friends! 

This week marks a really big decision God made for His son Jesus. It was for us. Jesus carried the burden and pain to the cross for our sins.  At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayer 3 times to the Father and each time he asked his followers to stay awake. They failed. I fail too. I have failed at being alert to temptations and fallen hard into sin but Jesus has the cure. Pray and repent to the Father.  

We have salvation through Jesus Christ🙌🏻 

Mark 14:36 says Jesus called out “Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but your will.” 

God’s plan was for Jesus to die for us. It wasn’t to be rescued from the pain of sin or suffering. It was to cure our sin problem and give us eternal life with Him. Jesus is the only way and through Him it is possible to be redeemed and rescued from our sins. Amen! 

Love you friends😘 

 I hope you have a beautiful celebration of our Risen Savior this week and Share what God is teaching you!

Tracy 

Every Day with Jesus this Year

Encouraging Custom Bracelets

Hello friends!

This year I am reading through my entire Bible in this year.  I purchased the Everyday With Jesus Bible last year and I am trying to use some hashtags like #wordbeforeworld started by one of my fav companies, Well Watered Women as an encouragement and resolve read it everyday.
This will be the first time for me and I am excited for this year and what God will do through this.

Its already three months into 2018 and I can say that God's Word has been what I crave now. I am in a season of less right now.  Two of my children are grown and I have one teenager son at home but the demand for me is way less than before. As a Mom there is less dishes and clothes to wash, less kids demanding my time and overall less going on in my house. I have more time for reading, writing and creating which I do everyday.  I suppose the season of less is really even more of Jesus.
I crave the knowledge and more understanding of His Word. I want to keep learning what it means to "delight in Him" and being "rooted in Christ".  The very presence of God is with us as believers but I can tell you I have never acknowledged Him in gratitude like this year. These past few months have already taught me to slow down with each word I read and to take it in slowly.  I am grateful for time to do this like never before.  Take courageous if your season is different, because He teaches each of us different things in each season of life. I use to long for days to do this but it wasn't my season yet. God teaches us patience and following Him requires us to wait sometimes. His timing is always better. 

I have had some of you guys ask for help finding a daily bible reading plan. I will highlight a few here so if you are curious or want to join me please do!
I would love for you to join  along and use some hashtags too!

Here are some of the ones I use  #wordbeforeworld or #bibleinayear  and of course I have one for my shop I use #handmadeknitsbytracy (you can tag your bible time and bracelets! I love to repost your pics!)

*These are free resources below.  My suggestions only, feel free to use your own.

Bible Reading Plans for 2018 

1. She Reads Truth

2. She Works His Way

3. Bible Gateway Reading Plan


Go ahead and comment if you have joined in reading through the bible in a year too! Or if you want to because we All need encouragement to keep going when life gets busy and if you have gotten behind no worries! Pick it back up and keep going!

Bless you guys!
trAcy