Friday, August 20, 2021

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. 


Wednesday, June 30, 2021

The Unseen Servants

 


“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬



It’s been on my heart for a little while to describe how I see the people behind the scenes. The person who does all those things we think just happens or maybe not even think twice about. In the hurried world we live in it is easy to miss them. Although the unseen are not unseen at all. There is a kingdom beyond this earth and our Heavenly Father Jesus sees it all. He sees everything. 

Have you seen them? 

Unseen servants are among us. 

Filled with grace and truth working, speaking, and losing themselves in the heart of Jesus. 

Their eyes see the needs among us. 

The gospel is planted with every act of love, kindness and service. Our eyes may miss it because they are not in need of any adulation. Our churches function by them. Doors are unlocked and locked daily. Lights are replaced because of them. Transportation is provided by them and a helping hand is always there. A welcoming spirit is in them. A friend is there for us. 


Have we seen them? 


Unseen servants are among us. We may miss them in our coming and goings.  Sometimes our inwardness can turn our focus on selfish desires rather than seeing what is good. 

It is the unseen servant that is working for the good of others and the glory of God, Jesus Christ. 


Have you see them? 


We will see them when we seek to be a servant of Jesus Christ.  


I hope this was encouraging and thought provoking for you today. May our hearts serve others like Jesus. 


Blessings 

Tracy 

Thursday, May 13, 2021

God Sanctifies Me As A Mom



“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬



As I think on how Jesus has shown me how He saves. Saves us as parents from the emotional roller coaster and struggles of parenting our kids. Saves our kids from the inner struggles they deal with and bad decisions. God sent Jesus for us.  Here are two mothers who had to let go and let God. 

Moses’ mother had to give her son up to save him from being killed. God took care of him. 


Hannah had to give Samuel back to the Lord. God took care of him. 

Both of these mothers loved their kids but were faced with letting go of them. Giving them to the Lord for protection, saving, and ultimately using them for the kingdom. 


I saw this as a hard ask of me when my kids started growing up. I had always controlled everything from what the wore to what they eat. I saw the instruction and discipline I taught them as good but I couldn’t control their every decision forever. I know for me letting go wasn’t easy. If you know me I like control and while your kids are young you can hang onto their shirt tails but not so much as they grow older. Ha! I learned along time ago with my strong willed child and even with my easy going child I had to let them go into the hands of Jesus for guidance and protection. I couldn’t save them. I couldn’t continue to make their decisions no matter the mistakes. God is ultimately in control and we only have these little people and teens for a little while.


Isn’t that just like God to show us as parents how He loves His children just the same. God sent His one and only son Jesus to save us. Jesus doesn’t make our decisions for us but guides us as we follow Him. We are used for His glory.  


My prayer is for the parent who is coming to grips with letting go of those babies graduating school this year. I know it is an emotional time but exciting time in life. 

My prayer is that we will be role models that our children will see Christ in us because they don’t stay little for long. 

Monday, May 3, 2021

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