Social Media And My Mental Health

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Social media depletes me. 

Every time I open an app or turn on the tv I hear stats, facts, and all the opinions on matters at hand in the world. Right now I have mental fatigue from it all. It makes me sad that our conversations navigate to defending which side you land on healthcare, masks or how we raise our children. There is so much lack of grace in our actions and words toward others when faced with these decisions. I think we are doing the best we can with the information given. Everyday is something new and devastating news seems to be the norm. The media really hasn’t changed over the years. It continues to censor, sensationalize or only highlight the worst. It creates reactions from us when we watch or listen. The posts liked or followed the most these days are the ones focused on the negative or debunking the opposite party. It’s madness out there. One is focused on helping the cause by causing righteous anger yet pride is dripping off their tongues. 

I have to shut it all off. My mind can get flipped upside down and become filled with complacency about everything. I have to come to God with my prayers and seek Him for guidance. The mind is the first place that gets attacked and I need more Jesus than what others are saying to me right now. 

I am saddened that we feel the need to shame others for their choices over health related matters today. It’s something I am seeing more and more but do we do that when we share the gospel? Do we shame our friends who never come to church and expect them to join you on Sunday? Or do we invite them for dinner with a genuine heart to get to know them? It’s relationship that Jesus speaks to us and He speaks to others through our words. 

Jesus drew people to himself by his words. Jesus spoke with authority yet never shamed anyone for their lack or sin. 

Jesus had mercy on others through his words. He healed with his words not condemning anyone. Jesus wanted to share hope by his words and not fear. 

I had these thoughts running in my head today and they were convicting me. No matter how much I believe my decision is the right one I never want to condemn or shame you for yours. Our voice matters yet I myself always want to speak with humility and grace filled words in order to draw you toward Jesus in all things. 

It’s okay to shut it all off. 

Let us keep fighting in prayer and listen to God today friends. 

Rainy Day Knitting

Hey there friends! 

Raining and flooding here today. It makes for a cozy day of knitting and reading.  I am reading “You are the Girl for the Job” by Jess Connolly and what a inspiring book to remind you that where God has placed me to use my skills and talents for His glory🙌🏻

 I am in a place in my life that I will not be ashamed about sharing my faith or pointing you guys toward Jesus. That’s my mission for this business and my hope in person if you know me😉 Bless you friends! Have a great weekend! I will be right here. 

Do you love this teal tweed color as much a I do? 

 There is one design in the SHOP with this color already but I can’t wait to see what words you would put on this too.

Tracy 

Spring Designs are in the Shop! Take a look

Hello there friends!  

I recorded a short video to share all the newest Spring designs.  I hope you watch and let me know which one is your favorite! 

*All of the bracelets are handmade and hand knit by me. 

Bless you this week friends!

tracy

Back to Work!

Hello friends!

It was a fast 3 weeks off from the shop. If you haven't heard or gotten the email. My shop has reopened. I was itching to reopen even though I needed to take a break. Isn't  that how we feel when we love what we do?  I am a creative person and I dreamed of all the things I could do while on this short vacay but reality set in and really there are way too many great things to do but only a few that are what I could actually fit into my schedule. So as with life we prioritize our schedules with what we need to get done and let the rest go.

I hope you are having a wonderful Summer as well. It is the first day of Summer today and it is raining in Tennessee. It was beautiful sitting on my front porch while watching it fall. I feel like God is showering me with His manna from heaven and I should breathing in His promises and exhaling the junk in my life. It can be tiring if we try doing everything in our own strength so I am praying for His strength to move me today.

Another bit of news for you too, if you follow along in my Facbook group or my Facebook page you may have heard about the new bible study starting in July. Yes, it is an inductive bible study through the book of Hosea. We will discuss each week through the book and there will be live videos for you to join in! I am praying for God to give wisdom and guidance through this time together. I hope you can join. Drop me a comment below and let me know if you will be joining me!



Talk to you soon friends!

tracy

Lets Start Something New

Choose Love
FREE SHIPPING CODE -FBFREE 
good until 3/26 in the shop 

Hello friends!

I have something fun to share with you guys. Recently I gave away over on my Facebook page  the James Grace Upon Grace bible study from The Daily Grace Co.  I have several of their studies and I really like them.  They give you a short commentary of the section of reading and let you study for yourself. We must be observing the text ourselves to learn what God is saying for ourselves. We dont want to just consume someone else's thoughts.
Now, you know I am still reading through the entire bible this year but I still want to study a little more in a few shorter books of the bible.  Some of you have told me you would be interested in doing a study of James with me if we had a group page to share on. So I have been brainstorming and think this might be a great idea for us!
I have wanted to do a study together for awhile and this would be a private group where we can also share in prayer together each week as well as study the Word. I can do a weekly video there and discuss our reading together. This will be fun!

I also have a few more ideas for the group participation which might include coupon codes for members and I have wanted to host a Brand Rep Search for awhile and what better place to find people who like wearing my faith based bracelets at?   I love sharing you photos so this would be great way for you to share your stories with the group.  You can let me know if this something you would be interested in because with out your feedback I am just guessing. LOL

April is already starting to sound fun. I will be creating the group and posting all details of the study there. So dont delay and go follow  Handmade knits by tracy and you will know when you can join the group!
NO worries if you arent interested in the group or the study. I would still love for you to join me!

Talk soon guys!
trAcy

Knitting the Gospel into Our Hearts

Encouraging Knit Cuff Bracelets

Hello friends!

This is has been crazy for me to imagine that I would still be writing on this blog consistently these past few weeks. I never dreamed it or thought I could do it. Now mind you I started this blog "handmade knits by tracy" out of just wanting to keep you up to date on what I was knitting and shop news but now I feel God telling me its more than that. Knitting has so much more meaning to me now. God has shown me that with each stitch I knit, He is showing me how to "knit the gospel into your hearts and mine". Its what He is called me to do.

I can see through my life that Jesus has a plan and order for my life even when I didn't see it or couldn't see it then.  Even through all the terrible choices I have made I didn't mess up God's plan.  I see that now.  My story of redemption and the strongholds He has broken in my life, all of that wasn't just because He wanted me to be ashamed or live in fear. God was preparing me and making me stronger to tell you His story through me.

He has released me of the performance to others and approval of others. I never use to understand the freedom we have in Christ until I let go of the striving, the shame and accepted His grace and the promises He has for me.  It is then we can truly know that this life is about making Jesus famous!


Another lesson learned is that when we will be attacked we must be strong enough to hold onto the promises what God has given us. Every promise and truth He gives and we receive can be destroyed by the enemy if we aren't meditating on God's Word. The spoken word out loud kills the enemy. He doesn't want us telling him Truth. These are tactics I try to use any time I feel attacked. That is why God tells a mighty soldier Joshua in the Old Testament that even had fears to be strong and courageous, God would be with Him and in Ephesians we are like soldiers. We are to equip ourselves with the armor of God to fight the battles everyday.
So I don't know what your struggle is or circumstances are right now. God's Word says Ephesians 6:10 "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." It is not of ourselves we can withstand anything my friend. It is through the power of Jesus Christ in us!

Today I was reading in Colossians 2 and here is a great reminder in verse 6-7 to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith... How do we do this? We keep feeding our minds and heart with what we know is true. God's Word.

Love you guys and thanks for taking time to read my ramblings on the blog! I always pray it encourages you and points you to Jesus for answers.

Have a great week!

trAcy






Join me in the conversation here and Find out about a fun giveaway too!

New Things Coming

Hello Friends!

It has been too long since I have posted what's new around here.  I thought I would let you all know what's been happening.  First, I have been working on new photos with photographers and a New Website in addition to my Etsy Shop.

There is always more to improve on the site and it seems to be a work in progress.  I am new to all the techy stuff but I figured it out!  I am still trying to improve in business and creating encouraging accessories for you is still my passion.

Fall is upon us and everyone seems to love the new Fall colors I have in the shop.
Here is look at just a few favorites.

Faith over Fear cuff shown in "Green Leaf Hut " 

Keep in  mind all my cuff colors are limited so when they sell out I can not get them again (most of the time)

If you follow me on Facebook you can find more encouragement and video updates of what I am reading. Right now I am reading the book Fervent  by Priscilla Shirer.  I shared my initial thoughts on it there if you want to see and tell your thoughts on the book if you have already read it.
Are you praying strategically in your life too?  Or have any tips for a fellow praying mom:)

I hope you guys have a great Labor Day holiday weekend! I will be celebrating my birthday so I am sharing a 15% off coupon with my followers so if you are reading this you get to use it! The code is MYBIGDAY use this at checkout in either shop. Offer is only good until 9/4 midnight CST.

Bless you friends!
Psalm 115:1

Knitter & Maker 
Tracy