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by tracymauro

What I mean when I say “Black Lives Matter”

Just to clarify….

When I say “Black Lives Matter”, I am not referring to any particular organization.

For me, a white woman who was taught a very inaccurate version of history and life while being raised in communities rather lacking the beautiful diversity intended by our Maker, Black Lives Matter is a much needed movement.

It is a movement away from a white-washed version of history, society, and law and a movement TOWARD truly becoming

Just to clarify….

When I say #BlackLivesMatter, I am not referring to any particular organization.

For me, a white woman who was taught a very inaccurate version of history and life while being raised in communities rather lacking the beautiful diversity intended by our Maker, #BLM is a much needed #movement.

It is a movement AWAY from a #whitewashed version of history, toward truly becoming “One nation under God”.

Maker God, help us become true allies by revealing even a trace of the disease of racism infecting our hearts so we can be healed of it.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

by tracymauro

Blog Overhaul Announcement!

TracyMauro.com is now RagamuffinOasis.com!

(No worries… Both URLs will still work!)

What the heck is a “Ragamuffin Oasis?”

What is the reason for my blog name change from TracyMauro.com to RagamuffinOasis.com?

In my people-pleasing days, being (or at least appearing) perfect was absolutely everything. But as I have had to face my own past traumas and oh-so-many imperfections in order to survive, I have realized that thriving in life is not about reaching some up achievable state of perfection.

However, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not about pretending to never be “raggedy” or hiding when you are. It’s about finding a place – a community – where you can truly be loved, grow, and thrive… imperfections and all! That place, my friends, is a Ragamuffin Oasis!

And, on our journeys to find that Ragamuffin Oasis, there’s a real good chance we’ll help create one for other ragamuffins (a.k.a. all of us) along life’s road.

Please remember to click the “follow” button and submit your email address so we can continue sharing our Ragamuffin stories together. Who knows… some of those stories you share in the blog comments may even be included (with your permission, of course) in my future book by the same title!

I’m honored that you’re on this journey with me.

Tracy

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….

by tracymauro

Faith Mid-Pandemic: What does it look look like?

Being cautious and considerate of your community in no way indicates a lack of faith.

Case in point: A religious group in Korea insisted that their congregants press on and attend church functions regardless of common sense precautions or government restrictions. That same organization has now been identified as the epicenter of the spread of the thousands of cases of COVID-19 in their country including the tragic deaths of some their own members.

I am not saying it is wrong to still meet – particularly if your church has the facilities and capabilities to offer thorough disinfection before and every gathering and people are not packed in too closely together. But please don’t judge faith levels – even your own – according to whether or not you decide to hold or attend gatherings right now.

The Jesus who told us “In this world you would have trouble” would not have us proudly prance around as if we’re immune. Rather, our Maker would have us walk humbly and love deeply with sensitivity about the situation and dependence on HIM rather than rely on our own stubborn ability to “press on with business as usual no matter what”.

Perhaps the realization that we are not in control begets the greatest faith of all.

What if closed church doors prompt a remembrance that being the Church has nothing to do with a building? What if the Coronavirus Pandemic teaches us that God’s love extends way beyond just those who gather in buildings or have organized programs? Perhaps that is the good that will come out of this horrible virus. Didn’t someone say once that “all things work together for good?”

So let’s give each other in the faith community grace as we navigate how to be a faith community in the midst of this pandemic. I mean, it’s the first time in most of our lifetimes we’ve had to deal with anything like this. There’s no script here.

What’s the worst thing that could happen as far as faith communities go? We get even more controlling and “judgy”.

The choice of whether this empowers us to love more like our Maker or further impedes our ability to genuinely help those He died for is ours.

Lord, have mercy.

by tracymauro

Why STILLNESS matters

Words like “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬a) have always been fascinating to me.

But it has only recently that I have been getting a better understanding of the importance of being still.

You see, I have recently moved to a little apartment that overlooks a river. This river has been teaching me much about life, our Maker-God, and the importance of being still.

In the picture I took this morning, a part of the river is stirred and far from still because of storms moving into the area. Another part of the river is calmer – much more still. Rhetorical question: Which part of the river is more clearly reflecting the light?

Maker God, continue to teach me these lessons on how to be still so I can better reflect the light of Your life to help brighten and warm the cold dark places of our world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

by tracymauro

Why can’t we just live there?

Thin placesSo… the other evening I was “breaking bread” (actually it was sushi – but same concept) with a few friends from my faith community.

As we sipped our wine and enjoyed half-priced Sushi night, we began to talk about worship. One of my friends mentioned how very much she enjoyed participating in communion every week and that even watching the others in our congregation being served the Sacraments is such a Holy Moment.

Another friend chimed in that truly Holy Communion is one of those “thin places“. Of course, we all were immediately intrigued and asked him to explain more about “thin places”.

He explained how C.S. Lewis (one of my very favorite thinkers and writers) would write and speak of the thin places – where heaven and earth intermingle. I made the comment that I wish we could just live in that thin place – where not so much divides and keeps us from connecting to God and each other.

It’s just that I’m not always quite sure how to get there – much less stay there. I’ve experienced thin places throughout my life – from early childhood memories of my Mom and church pianist playing beautiful songs about the Blood of Jesus while communion was being served and wondering how wordless moments could be so powerful to breathtaking nature encounters when I’ve been absolutely certain that Maker painted a particular sunrise or sunset just for me.

But, even in the much-mystery that clouds our every day lives and deters us from entering those thin spaces – I will still seek to learn what an abiding life (see John 15) – that sweet communion with the Maker of our souls -truly looks like.

by tracymauro

So… I heard this song today….

And I’m praying for you – praying for me – that our hearts will always beat out this freedom hymn!

Sunrise by God. Photo by Tracy Mauro. Lyrics by Austin French, Kayliann Lowe, Douglas Lowe, Kyle Lee and Jacob Harrison

(Click here to listen)

Freedom Hymn

 

 

 

I push I pull
Go back and forth finding myself pounding on a locked door
I try to make it out alone without Your help
But I know I’ll never win this war

I can never be
never be free
without You
I can never be
never be
me without You

This is the sound of chains breaking
This is the beat of a heart changing
This is a song of a soul forgiven

This is my freedom hymn
This is my freedom hymn
This is my freedom hymn

I breathe the air of freedom in knowing my life
Is better off in Your hands
The past is gone what’s done is done
Now I’m alive
I’m never gonna look back

I can never be
never be
free without You
I can never be
never be
me without You

Who the Son sets
Is free indeed
Who the Son sets
Is free indeed
Who the Son sets
Is free
I’m free

_______________________

Listen to the song by clicking here: https://youtu.be/FePrBgRAKRY

Publishing: Fair Trade Global Songs / AustinFrenchMusic / Foundational Songs (BMI) (admin. at essentialmsuicpublishing.com); Fairtrade Tunes / From The Void (SESAC) (admin. at essentialmsuicpublishing.com); Lost Slipper Music / Prize Pig Music (SESAC). All rights reserved.

Writer(s): Austin French, Kayliann Lowe, Douglas Lowe, Kyle Lee and Jacob Harrison

by tracymauro

The Two-Step to God’s Best: A Dance Move for Your Soul

1) Let God reveal….

Listen. Be still. Be present. Be aware. (This is not an easy task in today’s world filled with these little screens in our hands).

And…. Don’t limit the way He speaks to a sermon, Bible verse, or some seemingly theological insight. He may speak to you through a friend, a movie, the top 40 on the radio, or -most often- a quiet whisper to your own soul.

2)Stay steady.

Remain consistent. Sync your every step with the Maker of your soul.

And notice…. I didn’t say (nor did the Bible) that this is a two-step plan to happiness or to the Westernized world’s version of success.

God’s best may not feel good in the moment. It may not look good or smell right or put you in the limelight.

But it will create a stronger connection to our Creator and to His most favorite creation, other people.

And… in the end, isn’t that all that matters?

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Jesus, Matthew 22:37-39

by tracymauro

The Thriver Model Of Unconditional Love

Never ever stop living out of love or giving out of love. Loving itself is not unhealthy, or codependent, or approval addiction or such. But please, please STOP hinging your own well-being on how well your love is received. Yes That, my friends, is the road to a very dark place. Please don’t go there. Take it as a gentle warning from one who has been there and almost didn’t make it back. ♥️

Quote source: “The Thriver Model of Unconditional Love” by Melanie Tonia Evans