From MESS to Masterpiece (or, “From MESS to the Master’s Peace”)

I originally wrote the thoughts below back in 2016. At that time I was trying to look like I had it all together in life, marriage, career. However, inside of me it was different. The junk room of my soul was starting to stink and fester with all the pain, hurt, and trauma I had stuffed deep inside. So when I wrote this, I was talking to myself more than anyone else. And, in time, I followed my own advice. I revealed the mess inside of me to God, a few trusted friends, health professionals, and support groups. And looking back now…. wow…. has my life ever transformed as a result.

Whether you know deep down you have an addiction, depression, or simply a messy broken soul… these words might be for you today as they were for my 7 years back when I first wrote them.

Perhaps we think we deserve the mess we’re in because we helped make the mess. Perhaps we falsely believe we have to clean up the mess and THEN invite God into our situation. But the truth is, our Father God is longing to be near us in the midst of… whatever. But He is a gentleman will not enter our situations uninvited. But when we let Him into our mess, we will be amazed by the masterpiece that results.

(By Tracy C. back in 2016)

“I did not come here to offer you clichés. I will not pretend to know of all your pain.”

“I did not come here to offer you clichés. I will not pretend to know of all your pain.” (Sara Groves)   But I will pray. And I will weep with you. I will stand with you. And I apologize to you…. not only on behalf of those who share my skin tone who have committed atrocities against you, but on my own behalf. For any moments of silence that screamed my indifference: I am sorry. For apathy and lack of action against an injust system: I am sorry. #JustSoSorry #ApathyEndsHere #DefyDenial #DoSomething