Month / May 2020

by tracymauro

Lesson from the Sunsphere

Knoxville has this Sunsphere from the World’s Fair one year. There’s another city or two that has a shiny sphere included in the skyline. This one is different though. It sparkles and glows in the sunlight and moonlight without the need for the electricity that flashes across the other cities’ spheres.

You see, each panel that forms the sphere is filled with 24 karat gold dust. It’s because the gold has been crushed that it reflects the light so beautifully.

So, if you’re feeling crushed by what’s going on in your world or the world at large, please hold on to the hope that the very thing that’s crushing you now will one day give you the ability to better reflect all that is beautiful and good.

What crushed you is the very thing that will help you brighten the dark places in this world.

Shine on…..

by tracymauro

I wonder what would happen if those who looked like me would pray this with me….

Photo Credit: OneRaceMovement.com

Maker God, we repent of our apathy and pray that You would give us a spirit of empathy that drives us to action. Because of our privilege, we can never truly understand. But we must stop ignoring, or – worse yet – downplaying the atrocities against, disregard for, and destruction of Your precious human masterpieces. We must own, repent of, and work to eradicate the evil of racism that our ancestors caused and allowed. Only then will we ever have a chance of the words “One nation under God” being more than a sad façade. God, break our hearts with what breaks Yours. Jesus, in Your Great Name we cry out…. Amen.

Acknowledge it. 

Own it.

Stand together.

Pray together.

End racism.

by tracymauro

The Meaning of the Ring I Wear

Since there isn’t much left of May, I thought I’d post the picture of the ring I wear for Mental Health Awareness month. Mental illness is not only survivable, it can also form a strength, resilience, and empathy like little else can. However – if unspoken, unadressed, and untreated it can kill – or cause life to feel like a walking death.

After coming through a long dark season in my life that would have killed me had I not reached out for help – I had this ring designed. I borrowed the semicolon from a movement that started some years back using the punctuation mark as as a symbol for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Just as a semicolon indicates there is more of the sentence to come, it became a declarations that “My story isn’t over!”

And – as for the Greek symbols, my Maker has many Names, but one of my favorites is “The Alpha and Omega” which describes Him as the Beginning and the End – the Eternal One.

I decided to combine the symbols into one I wear all the time to remind me of this: My story’s not over because it’s all wrapped up in His Eternal Story.

So… if you’re feeling listless and lifeless inside because of this strange season our world is in or for any other reason – please reach out and tell someone. You are not alone… but continued hiding will make you feel like you are.

Please keep the pages of your story turning because you are a very important chapter in the story of our world and the story of our God.

by tracymauro

Reflections on Reflections

The Tennessee River at Dawn; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

When the water is still, it better reflects all that surrounds it: the good, the bad, the ugly.

Maker God, as we continue to move through a season where circumstances have forced a surreal stillness of our whole world, may we not look away from what the reflections reveal.

Rather, may we gaze, learn, and change… for Your glory and for the good of each other.

by tracymauro

Mother’s Day Weekend for the Rest of Us

Looking out of my apartment’s window on this Mother’s Day weekend….

I love it when the wind rocks the chair on my balcony. I like to think that my Mom dropped in from Heaven to sit with me for a bit. I know she would love that spot if she were still alive.

If you are blessed to have your Mom, your wife, your kids with you on this weekend – celebrate each other well – with not a drop of love held back.

But as for the rest of us: those of us who never had children, or Moms whose babies wait for them in heaven, or those of us whose Moms, wives, or those who have otherwise nurtured and loved us well no longer walk this earth with us… know that you are not forgotten and love and prayers rise up for you.

You see, to be a mother – a nurturing, life-giving one – isn’t limited to the physical bearing of children. And a mother’s love lives on long after the temporary separation death brings has occurred.

So my prayer for the rest of us on this weekend is that though it may be bittersweet – it will still be beautiful. May precious memories surround more than grief weighs you down. May you be reminded that your inestimable worth is not determined by your ability to give birth.

I say to you… to me… Happy Mother’s Day. On this weekend that is for many so bittersweet – May we sense the full and nurturing Presence of the One who died to set us free. And know, that when you have those moments when the tears begin to creep, He, too, understands and with you weeps.

Happy Mother’s Day….