Laced With Grace

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for Christ Jesus took hold of me…But, one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” –Philippians 3:12-14

Father God, pour out Your Wisdom on me, Lord, as I come to You at the beginning of this New Year. Give me a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation so that I know may know You better. Lord, I want my resolutions to line up with Your Will and Your perfect plan for my life. I know I can make all of the plans I want, but they will only succeed if they are yours. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but  is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” So, I am purposing to “trust in the LORD with all of my heart, NOT leaning upon my own understanding, but acknowledging You, God, in every area of my life, every “resolution” I have, then You will direct my steps, You will make my paths straight.” I know You have “plans for me. Plans to prosper me and not harm me. Plans for good and not evil.” I thank You, Lord that You have a purpose for me and that You already have a calling in store for me. For I am “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do!” So, Lord, with Your help, let me dedicate this year, 2012, to You. Let me purpose in my heart and mind, and with my actions glorify Your Name with my life. I want to choose to be “a living sacrifice,” giving You all that I am, and everything I have. I can only do it by the power of the Holy Spirit! I can only do through You! Thank God, I can only do all things THROUGH Christ, who strengthens me! Thank You, God that I don’t have to do it on my own! Praise You, Father! Praise You, Jesus! And thank You, Holy Spirit!

Well, thankfully, each year offers an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to Christ. Thank God that He offers “do overs”, and even though 2011 was an awesome year (although challenging), I have the gift of a new beginning. I tend to look at all of the things I WANTED to do in 2011, but didn’t. I tend to “beat myself up” about not accomplishing all that was on my heart. But, Lord, You are merciful, full of grace, and very patient- even when I am impatient. Thank You that this is chance to renew my mind in Your TRUTH!

I am going to thank You that I am a new creation! The old has gone and the new has come! I put off my old self, right now, right here where I am. I am putting off the old self- the old mistakes, the old failures. I am made new in the attitude of my mind and am putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I am getting rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. I am kind and compassionate to others, forgiving just as in Christ God forgave me. I am an imitator of God, as a dearly loved child and living a life of love. Like Christ, I am giving myself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph. 4-5)

Happy New Year!

Starting Anew,

Tracy

Tuesday-  Christmas concert at school,
Wednesday- Family Advent Night at church,
Thursday-Christmas Party at the “Smith’s.”
Send out invitations for an annual Cookie Exchange at our house.
Send out invitations for office party.
Send out Christmas cards…….

Wow! Is your calendar quickly filling up? AND- it’s only the beginning of December!

As we begin to jump into the Christmas season, and all of the activities that surround it, I am again reminded that I must keep grounded on what Christmas is all about- the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the busyness, the things on all of our “to-do” lists, the shopping and entertaining…

As I catch my breath, and remind myself to slow down, I think of Mary and Martha. (Luke 10:38-42) Both sisters loved Jesus and were dearly loved by Him. Now Martha, the older sister, had a servant heart, but could get caught up in all of the details and become distracted by her many tasks.

One day Jesus came to visit the women. Martha was preparing a meal for them while her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus. As Martha was busy with all of the preparations, she allows her heart to go from serving joyfully and selflessly to getting angry that she is doing all the work alone.

As I read the story, I can picture Martha clanging the dishes, hoping to get Mary’s attention.  I see her banging the cupboard doors, and perhaps sighing loudly- you know, the “huhhhs”- expecting Mary to hear and get the hint!

And, why do I think this? Probably because this is MY typical behavior when I am feeling sorry for myself in these situations!

Well, Martha finally blows, and she storms in the room where Jesus and Mary are sitting, and whines, “Lord! Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Boy, do I hear my own whining voice in this story, especially at this time of year. “Lord! Don’t You care that I am doing all of the work by myself? You know? The cleaning, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the decorating, sending the cards, the baking… Make my husband help me!”

But, Jesus is not concerned with the fancy dinner, the decorations, the fluff. He tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. But, only one thing is needed and Mary has chosen what is better and it won’t be taken from her.”

You see, sitting at the feet of the Savior, drawing near to Him, listening to Him, being still and knowing Him- that is what is important and it won’t be taken from you. It is the “one thing” our stressed, tired spirits need! It is the “one thing” that I NEED!

This Christmas, we can get caught up in shopping for the gifts, stringing the lights, decorating the tree, singing the songs, attending the parties, the details and distractions. But, my prayer for you is that this Christmas, you will experience THE gift- the Bright and Morning Star, the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counselor, our Hope, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, your Burden Bearer, Our Strength, and Our Salvation, Immanuel- God With Us.

Lord, thank You for Jesus.  Thank You for Your gift of grace and love.  Help me to keep my heart set on You this Christmas!  Help me to be “Mary”. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Waiting for Him,

Tracy

My husband and I  just returned from a trip to San Diego.  We had a wonderful time, just the two of us.  I had been looking forward to spending some time alone while he attended work meetings.  So…..on the first morning of our trip, I went out for a run and to explore the downtown a bit.  What I saw surprised and appalled me.

People waking up and beginning their day…..

from a park bench…..

from a makeshift cardboard “tent”….

Now, I am not a stranger to homeless people.  We frequently visit Chicago and are familiar with “street people.”  But, somehow, seeing them during this trip affected me like never before.  Maybe it was the sheer quantity I saw.  There were both men and women.  I saw every race- white, black, and Asian among the hurting.  I saw both young and old.  The image of a tall, beautiful woman looking at her reflection in a glass building as she cleaned her face with her hands and saliva will be etched in my mind forever.  What struck me, and broke my heart was that all of the people carried something.  Some, like the man above, carried grocery bags full of their belongings.  Others had black garbage bags stuffed with their life’s possessions.  And, some pushed around carts or luggage full of their “stuff.”

I couldn’t even fathom being able to fit all of my belongings- my life- into a cart that I pushed around all day. What unnerved me was witnessing people, human beings rummage through garbage cans looking for food…..

My heart broke for the people I saw that morning.  But, the tipping point came when I stopped at Starbuck’s for a tea before heading back to the hotel.  As I waited in line, holding back tears and silently praying, a very thin man, about my age, ran in the store, pulled out a discarded half eaten muffin out of the garbage, ran out of the store and ate it.  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.  The first thing I did was buy the man a breakfast sandwich and gave it to him.

When I got back to my room, I wept and prayed.  I knew I had to do more than just buy someone a sandwich.

I have been reading a life-changing book, Not a Fan.  It is about being a FOLLOWER of Jesus, not just a “FAN”- living out a life of faith instead of just talking about it.  The book challenges us, as Believers to die to self and live for Christ, following Him wherever He would take us.  As I cried out to God that morning, I told Him I wanted to LIVE what I was reading- I wanted it to make a difference in my life!  I couldn’t go have a manicure or lie by the pool- I had to live out my faith and DO SOMETHING!

As I prayed in the shower, a thought came to me to spend my day with the homeless.

So, I went to Subway and bought a small stack of gift cards.  After praying about what to write in each one, I filled them with messages of hope and love, telling the person reading how much God loves them and how precious they are.  On some, I felt led to tell them that God knows their name.

I went back to Starbuck’s, found a table outside and prayed that God would bring people to me and that He would give me strength to do this thing that was REALLY out of my comfort zone.  Fear gripped me.  What if someone would get violent or yell at me?  What if someone started calling me a hypocrite or self-righteous or something?  What if I was embarrassed?  I couldn’t believe my fears!  Here were people rooting through garbage and I WAS WORRIED ABOUT BEING EMBARRASSED????????

I was surprised at how nervous I was.  My heart raced.  My hands were shaking.  I knew I needed to just DO IT.  So, when a man approached a garbage can to go through it, I approached him and gave him the card, telling him what it was.  He looked shocked, but took it.  The next man who approached the garbage had a different reaction, though.  He refused to take it.  His sad eyes broke my heart as he said, “I can’t go in to Subway like this.  Look at me.”  And he walked away.

Many discouraging thoughts ran through my mind and most encouraged me to quit.

“What are you doing?”

“You are insulting them.”

“You can’t make a difference.”

But, I continued and my stack got smaller.  I finished with the last group of four people all sitting against a building together.  When I gave them the last of my cards, they were joyful and kept saying “God bless you.” Here is one of the men.

I am ashamed to say I have forgotten this man’s name.  I asked him his name and it was like I gave him a million dollars just asking that.   He got tears in his eyes when he told me it.

I may have forgotten, but God knows his name.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows…” James 1:27

“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the cords of unjustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:6-7

Lord, may I die daily to myself and follow You wherever You would lead.  May I see people the way You see people.  Break my heart with what breaks Your heart.  Give me strength and courage to do the things that are uncomfortable.  I love You, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

“Fasting” with you,

Tracy