by tracycpoetry

All means ALL {things work together}

If you’ve been a part of the church/Christian Faith world for more than a minute in your life, you’ve probably heard these words:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NKJV

I’m pretty sure I memorized these words fairly early in my Sunday School career.‬‬ I mean, if there was a sticker or piece of candy in it for me, I was all about parroting the words back to my teacher.

But I don’t think the little Sunday School version of me had a clue what those words really meant. I’m not entirely sure the grown up version of Tracy gets it either. But I’m beginning to.

You see, when those God-breathed words made their way out through the Apostle Paul’s pen, all meant All. Absolutely no exceptions.

And all these centuries later, all still means all. No exceptions.

But I’ve made exceptions. I totally get God using the pretty , shiny, and happy things of life for my good and His glory. I even get Him using some of the darker sides of life – as long as I did nothing to cause them and they don’t last too long.

But what about the long dark pathways of my own choosing?

All means all.

What about the things that will never ever make sense to me this side of Heaven.

All means all.

What about the things that seem so dark and evil it seems absolutely impossible that good for anybody at any time could ever come out of it.

All means all.

Why is it so important that we begin to grasp this?

It frees us from being bound by the lie that our sins and bad decisions exempt us from God’s Good in our lives.

All means all.

It frees us from the false belief that we are little mini-gods who shoulder the responsibility of acting right, believing right, being right in order to experience God’s goodness in our lives.

So, if your heart is weary and disillusioned believing that somehow the actions of others, a “bad hand” dealt by life, or even your ugliest of sins and poorest of decisions can somehow stop the flow of God’s good in your life – you can be lifted by the fact that

ALL MEANS ALL!

by tracycpoetry

An Open Letter to 2019

Dear 2019,

Because you are just around the corner, I thought I better give you a heads up…. You are going to be different from all those other years.

I am choosing to fully abide in Christ, living in Him.

Not in my own strength.

Not in past sins, fears, and failings.

Not in other’s approval, opinion, or any other thing.

But only, always, forever… in Him.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Sincerely,

Me

by tracycpoetry

Done

How different would our lives look if we applied the energy we use to talk ourselves out of things toward forward motion?

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” –Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

by tracycpoetry

It’s time to release everything that keeps us from connecting with what matters most.

My prayer today… (Feel free to join me and make it your prayer, too): My Father, Maker, and Friend… Forgive me for allowing the awesome Holy wonder of who You are to get lost in so much that matters so little. Your desires, plans, and dreams are perfect for me so I surrender to Your will and plans rather than my lesser ones. It is only by abiding in all that You are that I can bring Heaven to earth. I release all the wrongs against me as a beautiful tribute to Your grace to me. It is You and You alone who provides the very strength to live the most beautiful life possible- a life that is about You and You alone. So this very moment I willingly release anything that hinders me from fully connecting to You and the beautiful reflection of You in others. Fill me with all You are because it is only in the strength of Your beautiful Name, Jesus, that I can pray this and live this… Amen.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” –Hebrews 12:1

“Be still, and know that I am God!” –Psalms 46:10

“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” –Philippians 2:13

by tracycpoetry

Our Worry Only Limits Us

Here is the prayer that closed this morning’s leadership huddle at the incredible hospital where I am so blessed to work:

Holy God,

This is the day that You have made – Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Each person gathered here is a masterpiece designed by You.

Help us to remember our worth when challenging situations arise. Should we feel depressed or lacking joy in our lives, help us to remember we are fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image.

Our worry does us no good and only limits us, and You do more with worry than we ever could. So help us turn our anxious thoughts and situations over to You and trust that You are working. You work all things for our good because You love us. May we always be mindful that You are working in ways that we cannot comprehend, as Your ways supersede ours. And in this working You are continuing to mold us into masterpieces that fulfill Your purpose.

For the unseen, the increasing of our faith and our capacity to love, we give thanks in Your Holy Name. Amen.

-Prayed this morning by Mary Beth Krivanek, Sr. Chaplain, Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital Pastoral Services

by tracycpoetry

Don’t Let Perfectionism Paralyze Your Progress

So, I’m in some training for work today, @emoryhealthcare’s #QualityAcademy. These words were said during a discussion on selecting which type of graph to use when presenting data. But I think there are some pretty good applications for life in general. For me anyway, the desire for perfection – left unchecked – can stop practical forward motion and leave me feeling pretty useless!