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New Grace

February 23, 2015 by Tracey 1 Comment

One of the songs that speaks to me most powerfully about God’s grace is “New Grace” written by Tom Hayes.


The words of this song remind me of several truths about His grace.

  • All of life is grace.
  • He gives grace exactly when we need it – not before, not too late, but at just the right moment.
  • His grace is unlimited.
  • I don’t need to fear death; He’ll give me the grace to face it when it’s time.

Here are the words to the song.


All of grace is my story,
All the way from earth to glory.
Since by grace he lifted me from sin and woe.
Living grace he has extended
As on him my heart depended
And he’ll give new grace when it’s my time to go.

Chorus: Grace not yet discovered,
Grace not yet uncovered,
Grace from his bountiful store,
Grace to cross the river,
Grace to face forever.
There’ll be new grace I’ve not needed before.

There’s been grace for every trial.
There’s been grace for every mile.
There’s been grace sufficient from his vast supply.
Grace to make my heart more tender,
Grace to love and pray for sinners,
But there’ll be new grace when it’s my time to die.

Chorus: Grace not yet discovered,
Grace not yet uncovered,
Grace from his bountiful store,
Grace to cross the river,
Grace to face forever.
There’ll be new grace I’ve not needed before.

(If you’re reading this in a feed reader or in e-mail, you may need to click over to my blog to view the video.)

What’s your favorite song about God’s grace? 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worship

The Universal Language of Motherhood

February 20, 2015 by Tracey 2 Comments

It’s amazing how two strangers can connect when they begin talking about their children.

Occasionally I attend work events with my husband where I know very few people.  As I’m introduced to a person, the initial conversation may be slow. However, if it’s a woman and she mentions that she has children, we are usually off and running! If her children are older than mine, she can share her experience with me. If they’re younger, we can talk about the trials and joys moms of little ones face.  If they happen to be the same age (and especially if she has a daughter!), it means we have plenty to discuss!

I believe that we can almost always learn something from a fellow parent about parenting.  Certainly those who have steered their children through life stages we haven’t yet entered have wisdom they can share with us.   

As mothers, we love our children and want the best for them.  We’re all in the same boat, getting on-the-job training.  Our methods or philosophies may differ at times, but at heart, we all want the same outcome – children who become happy, well-adjusted adults who are living out their life’s purpose.  As Christians, we want to see our children whole-heartedly following the Lord as they grow.

Whenever we can, it’s worth the effort to connect with other moms and share our stories and struggles, each offering grace and support to the other as we travel this season of life in similar shoes.

Filed Under: Parent, Uncategorized

Our Greatest Trial, A Blessing in Disguise

February 11, 2015 by Tracey 2 Comments

“It seems odd, but usually our greatest trial is what molds and shapes us.  It gives us character, backbone, courage, wisdom, discernment, and friendships that are not shallow.”  ~Randy Alcorn in If God is Good

Trials come to all of us.  There’s your every day, garden-variety trial – not enough money at the end of the month, an afternoon headache, an irritating person, a job you don’t like.

Then there are what we might consider larger trials – the loss of a loved one, facing a chronic illness, a child who’s away from the Lord, a job loss.

Yet I’ve found that it truly is through our trials that we grow the most, that we find ourselves becoming more conformed to His image.  When my husband had back surgery last year, I learned more about prayer and trusting God than I had in a long time.  Losing our first child due to anencephaly taught me amazing lessons about God’s goodness, His grace, His peace, His perfect timing, and His love and care for me.

I love the phrase Alcorn uses – “friendships that are not shallow.”  Whether it’s family members or friends or church members, once they’ve walked with you through a deep valley, the relationship is forever sweeter and closer.

In the same book I mentioned above, Alcorn says, “God never wastes our pain.”  Whether that’s physical or emotional pain, I believe that there’s always a purpose to it.  Even when we can’t see it, He is always, always working for our good and His glory

So whatever trials you and I are facing today, I pray that we will recognize that God is developing in us those traits that will make us more like His Son and that, by His grace, we can come through our trial a stronger, more trusting Christian.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worship

It’s What Dads Are Made Of

January 23, 2015 by Tracey 4 Comments

Source

Start with a heaping cup of love.

Toss with equal parts patience and wisdom.

Mix in two tablespoons of heroism and two more of hard work.

Blend with answers to off-the-wall questions, the ability to fix anything that breaks, and willingness to play dolls or trucks, as the situation dictates.

Add a scoop of self-sacrifice, the ability to drive long distances without falling asleep, and sprinkle in a sense of humor to taste.

Top with bedtime hugs and tickles, cover generously with heartfelt prayers, then bake for a lifetime.

And to a man who’s a prize-winner in this recipe category….

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Filed Under: Parent, Uncategorized

Ghosts of Christmas Past

December 19, 2014 by Tracey 3 Comments

Tonight we’re headed to a historic theatre downtown to see the play A Christmas Carol.  In Ebenezer Scrooge’s honor, I’m highlighting my favorite posts from past Christmases.

2013 ~ The Best Gift Ever:  A Simple Way to Make It Real for Our Children

2012 ~ Christmas Ornament Show and Tell

2011 ~ Handmade and Homemade Christmas and Christmas Around the House

2010 ~ The Body of Christmas

2009 ~ Budgeting for Christmas and My Five Favorite Things About Christmas

Filed Under: Live, Uncategorized

Do We See Jesus?

December 17, 2014 by Tracey 3 Comments

Source

Midst the twinkle of the Christmas lights,
Under the pile of presents,
Reflected in the silver of the baking sheets
Filled with cookies shaped like stars,
Do we see Jesus?

In the Christmas cards from family and friends,
In the carols playing loudly on the radio,
Behind the tree full of ornaments and tinsel,
Do we see Jesus?

In the wreath on the door, the candles flickering on the table,
The nativity set so nicely arranged;
In the “stockings hung by the chimney with care,”
Do we see Jesus?

At the office holiday party, the neighborhood buffet,
At the church musical, the school luncheon,
In the line at the post office, in the crowds at the mall,
Do we see Jesus?

In the Christmas books we read to our children,
In the cold and starry night sky,
In the faces of family gathered together
Celebrating the season of joy,
Do we see Jesus?

Let me not miss seeing Jesus this Christmas.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worship

Do We See the Need for Prayer?

December 10, 2014 by Tracey 2 Comments

 “True prayer, then, can be rooted only in the recognition of genuine need.” ~Catherine Marshall in Christy

As I looked through my folder of potential blog posts, I noticed how many of the drafts that I have started have to do with prayer.  Perhaps this is fitting as I’ve been studying prayers in the Bible during my daily devotions.  In January, I hope to share some of what I’ve been learning – it’s such good stuff!

Yet in order to pray effectively, I have to see in my heart the need for prayer, which is ultimately my need for God and for seeing His hand at work in my life.

I love my prayer journal that allows me to look back over answered prayers.  With only a couple of weeks left in the year, I’m already beginning to reflect about all that has happened over the past twelve months.  From big concerns to small, God has faithfully answered prayer.

When we admit that we need God to show Himself mighty, that we have no power to affect an outcome, then we open ourselves up to see Him at work.  It goes back to my word for 2014 – trust. 

I can trust that He hears my prayers.  I John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us…”  Many times, He answers above and beyond what I expected.  Yet if God doesn’t answer a request as I think it should be answered, I have another opportunity to trust.  I know He will answer in a way that’s best. 

It’s not just in the big situations that I recognize my need, but in the daily trials I face.  Romans 12:12 exhorts us to be “rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…”

Today, let’s recognize our need for God’s guidance and goodness in our lives and strive, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to take our every need to Him in prayer.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worship

Addicted to My To-Do List

September 10, 2014 by Tracey 4 Comments

Just one of the ways I measure my productivity

“‘I have a disease,’ I think to myself.  ‘I am addicted to measurable productivity.'” ~Emily P. Freeman in A Million Little Ways
 
Have you ever been reading along in a book when a statement hits you right between the eyes?

That’s how I felt when I read the words highlighted above.

That is ME.  At the end of the day, I feel satisfied and fulfilled when I can look back and measure how productive I’ve been.  However, if most of the items aren’t crossed off my to-do list (and there may be more than one list), I feel like I’ve failed for the day.  I’ve written about this issue before, but there’s clearly still room for improvement.

Now you may have a personality that is not afflicted with this condition. (Unfortunately, I tend to write about what I struggle with – so if you don’t have this problem, perhaps you can suggest a different weakness for me to write about in the future!)  Sometimes I look with admiration at people whose personality draws them to
other people, those who never meet a stranger, who naturally focus on
relationships, not tasks.

My personality type is a firstborn, perfectionist, people-pleaser who is motivated by checking things off a list.  Accomplishment; that’s what fuels my day, gives me purpose, and makes me feel successful.  I am addicted to measurable productivity.

There’s nothing innately wrong with accomplishing things, but I have to remember to prioritize people and relationships, especially those in my family.   Talking over our day with my husband or helping my daughter with a project or writing an email to a friend takes precedence – and I need to resist the temptation to add those items to my list so I can cross them off!

Many important things don’t have a measurable value.  Take prayer, for instance.  Yes, I can see God answer prayer in the here and now; but I may not see the effect of many prayers that I pray until we’re in heaven. Neither can I measure the impact of a smile to a stranger or a kind word to a friend or a card of encouragement to a fellow church member. 

It’s helpful to set goals, to plan for the future, and do the best that I can to serve my family and my Lord.  I believe God made me the way I am for a purpose and this trait can be used to further His work…if I just don’t allow my to-do list to turn into an idol I worship..  Accomplishment for it’s own sake can’t be what drives me.  I have to allow the Lord to direct my days and learn to yield to whatever He has planned…whether it’s on my to-do list or not.

Do you struggle with this like I do?

Filed Under: Live, Uncategorized

The Opportunity in the Trial

September 8, 2014 by Tracey 5 Comments

Elisabeth Elliot said these words: “This hard place in which you perhaps find
yourself is the very place in which God is giving you the opportunity to
look only to Him, to spend time in prayer, and to learn long-suffering,
gentleness, meekness- in short, to learn the depths of love that Christ
Himself has poured out on all of us
.”

Source

God gives trials to each of us in His will and in His time.  Mine won’t look like yours; yours won’t look like mine.

I have a sweet friend, only 34 years old, mother to a precious young daughter, who is fighting breast cancer.  God is giving her grace.  Another friend is recovering from a fairly serious car accident, one that wasn’t her fault, but has left her with residual pain and a long period of healing.  Others I know face financial difficulties, family separations due to work obligations, a child with ongoing health needs.

I Peter 1:7 tells us “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ
.”

These trials that God brings into our lives can, if we allow them, help us see our need of Him, teach us to rely on Him, make us more like Him, and bring Him glory.  It’s not natural or easy, but surrendering to His will and trusting His goodness can bring this about in our lives.

As this verse from the old hymn “How Firm a Foundation” reminds us,

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

Whatever trial you and I find ourselves facing today, may we realize the depth of His love, access His grace, and draw close to Him through prayer and His Word

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Worship

A Christlike Love for My Spouse

September 3, 2014 by Tracey 1 Comment

“Having a successful marriage is not about finding the perfect person to marry….It is about loving someone in a forgiving, Christlike manner.” ~Rick Johnson in Becoming Your Spouse’s Better Half

Source

 What is it like being married to me? 

Have you ever wondered that, considered how your spouse might look at being married to you?  I’m afraid that often I’m too busy thinking of some little thing my husband may have done that bothered me to consider all of the things I’m sure I’ve said and done to irritate him!

Let’s face it; neither person in a marriage is perfect.  But what marriage teaches us to do – perhaps better than any other relationship in our lives – is to love someone like Christ loves us.  We come to know our spouse better than anyone else on the planet and on any given day we can find something about them that we don’t like.  Yet we have a choice – to focus on what we don’t like in the other person or to love them in spite of it.

The love described in I Corinthians 13 doesn’t come easily or from our own flesh, but through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Patient, kind, long suffering, hopeful, unselfish love is only brought about through surrendering our own will to the One who loves perfectly and can do the same through us.

Love isn’t conditional.  I don’t love my husband because he brings me a piece of coconut cake from our favorite bakery or gives me a bouquet of roses.  I love him because of who he is and because I made a commitment on our wedding day to love and honor him till death do us part.

If I’m going to love like Christ, that’s going to sometimes mean sacrifice.  I can follow my husband’s lead, go where he wants to go, choose what he wants when it clashes with what I want, and do it with a joyful spirit, not begrudgingly.  That, my friends – that loving, gracious, selfless attitude – is where I find myself struggling so frequently.

Honestly, my husband is better at showing this Christlike love in our marriage than I am, but I want to do better!  May God continue to do a work in my heart that I might reflect His love in our marriage.

Filed Under: Love, Uncategorized

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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