Please stand clear of barricades!

Have you ever felt like your life is Under Construction?

Okay, perpetually?

Maybe you want to wear a warning sign to tell the people around you to be careful... this part of me aint so pretty and it's not quiet "finished" yet?

This airport sign kept staring at me while I waited the other morning.

I immediately identified with what the baggage claim area was going through. It was in transition... getting a makeover. You know, being improved! And someone put up some cardboard barricades to cover up the construction and keep not only the work area... but also, the people around it as safe as possible.

Geesh, isn't that like our lives? Our hearts?

I thought about how we try to find prettier ways to transport our baggage whereever we go... or to disguise that it's even there. We invite new people into our lives and get excited about the journey we are on with them. The ride is enjoyable, often times, until we head down to the baggage claim area and begin to collect our luggage.

This got me to thinking about a conversation with a new friend who challenged me about this very subject. One night, during a conversation...there I was, thinking I'm just the picture of openness, sharing and fun. I offered the pretty parts... which I would envision to be the cute little Prada suitcase and maybe my absolutely adorable matching toiletries bag. But he wanted to know what was behind my cardboard wall. He had the audacity (okay, okay..."interest") to inquire about my construction area. He pointed it out... and instead of being repelled by it, came closer and continued to inquire.

(Insert nervous fidgeting and chirping crickets while girl tried to think of some brilliant explaination).

Brilliance... never came.

So since you stopped and read this post... my not-easily-evaded friend, a staring airport sign and I (the fidgety girl) would like to know about your construction areas.
Can you relate? And if so, what does your sign say?

Pondering... as always,

Tray

Today, I am Thankful for:

• My sweet sister-friend Valerie, who drove me to the airport at 5 am this morning... to keep me from paying long-term parking fees for the next 5 days. Now THAT'S Love :0)
• liquid sunshine that came in a red, festive cup at the Nashville airport Starbucks. I was ridiculously excited to try the new Creme Brulee Latte... but unfortunately they were out of syrup. Whoa is me... I had to settle for a Pumpkin Spice latte. (such a hard life ;0)
• a not-so-packed flight that allowed me to stretch out in comfort and sleep like a baby!
• an oversleeping sister, Trina... who wasn't there to pick me up when my flight landed 30 mins early. This gave me time to grab my bags, find a quiet space and just kick up my feet for a little bit before all of the busyness began.
• a bright, smiley 4 year old, Tayo (my nephew)... beaming at me from the backseat... with that signature Dukes Family 1000 watt smile. Be still my heart :0)
• the love of my Mommy... and the ability to embrace her for the first time since her surgery. Oh God, thank you for the chance to do that again... never, ever will I take a single hug for granted.
• the joy that flows from my Daddy! When he enters the room, I can't help but get excited. I always have and always will!
• a sister who is the best delegator I know... and her commandeering of the kitchen to present a Thanksgiving meal fit for Royalty! After all, we are the DUKES family ;)
• a wonderful after dinner walk and talk with my big brother, Hines... and then a quick trip to the playground with my favorite 4 year old, Tayo!
• wonderful time spent with one of our greatest family-friends, Vanessa... there's always great laughter and reflection when we get together. You've just gotta love those relationships that have lasted for over 25 years. Wow!
• sweet phone calls from my bestie, emails and countless texts from friends and loved ones all over the globe
• the assurance that we are not alone in this world... and that God's love through many abundantly overflows. My heart is refreshed by togetherness and celebration. I am soo Thankful for all of You.

With a satisfied heart,

Tracye

Word-Filled Wednesday : He Satisfies

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men,
For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:8-9

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to You, today!

What a wonderful scripture to ponder today.
I really need to hear those words over and over again in my heart.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and Gratitude, I lift up to God today... my questioning heart, so over-burdened with cares and I press in to the last lines of today's quote.

For HE satifies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things!

Oh Lord,

We are so thirsty and hungry for good things.
We are restless and searching... looking longingly at one another to be filled and satisfied.
Yet, all too often, we are left empty and still in need.

Thank you, today... for this treasure in Your word.
Thank you for the reminder that YOU ALONE are the one Who gives us the feast we are craving.
Oh Father, open our eyes and reveal to our malnourished hearts the Truth that You are our satisfaction.
May we drink deeply and no longer thirst.
May we eat heartily and be filled.
May we KNOW You... and be satisfied.
For YOU are good.

With a Thankful heart,
Tracye


Enjoy more wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit Susan.

What is it?

She fidgets
She wrestles
and struggles to hide it.

She fights it
Denies it
and yet it's inside her

She wants it
She hates it
but can't live without it

What is it
Can't place it
It's bigger than life

Saints & Angels

Hey there!!!

I am working on pulling together some songs for a summer concert here in Nashville and came across this one. Sara Evans is one of my fav country music singers and "Saints & Angels" just touches me sweetly. The music, the rhythm... the lyrics resonate in a deep part of me and I think I'll add it to the list.

I'd love for you to take a listen to a practice recording from this morning. The vocals are pretty low at times due to the high level of compression needed for a cheap mic ;0) Lyrics are below in case you need them. Well, I told you it was a PRACTICE session. So anyway...let me know what you think. Yes, I want your honest feedback :0)


In case the video doesn't come through... here's the link: http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bf1306ad9



We're only human baby
we walk on broken ground
We lose our way, we come unwound

We're turnin' circles baby
We're never satisfied
We fall from grace, forget we CAN fly
But through all of the tears that we cry
We'll survive

Cause when we're torn apart
Shattered and scarred
Love has the grace to save us
We're just two tarnished hearts,
But in each other's arms
We become saints and angels

I love your imperfections
I love your everything
Your broken heart, your broken wings
I love you when you hold me
And when you turn away,
I love you still, and i'm not afraid
Cause I know you feel the same way
And you'll stay

Cause when we're torn apart
Shattered and scarred
Love has the grace to save us
We're just two tarnished hearts,
But in each other's arms
We become saints and angels

These feet of clay (feet of clay)
They will not stray

Cause when we're torn apart
Shattered and scarred
Love has the grace to save us
We're just two tarnished hearts,
But in each other's arms
We become saints and angels

(saints and angels...saints and angels...)


Enjoy!
Tracye

Making room for promises...

What a wonderful weekend it's been...
I feel more rested then I have in weeks and a new sense of hope is swirling within me.
Hope for what? Well, I am not exactly sure... I am just peaceful in places that have not felt serene for quite some time.

Thank God.




As I turn the planner pages to reveal a new week and the official beginning of business in March, I am sensing something new. Maybe it's the promise of Spring... as Life is working it's way through the soil and roots are going deeper to prepare a life source for the colorful blooms we will soon enjoy in nature.
Winter's chill and apparent dormancy was only a grand stage curtain, covering the busyness of new life's preparation. Something glorious is about to appear.



That's it... I remember now. It's promises from long ago... even those that became too hard to believe. The ones that hurt sometimes to remember. They are pushing through the soil... and being made ready for their appearance.

As you and I make our plans for the week... and even this month, I extend to you a joyful challenge. Will you join me, in making room for your heart's desires?
Will you clear away time to do that thing you long for... or to be with the one(s) you've been waiting on?
I believe it will be worth it.

Enjoy this day... knowing that something beautiful is coming :0)

Oh God... how precious it is to ponder Your Faithfulness and to remember back on times when You've come through. Spring is on the horizon, and in my heart... I feel that it brings with it some long standing desires that have been unfulfilled until now. Receive my thanks in advance... as my heart swells with great joy just thinking about how good You are.
Lord, for all of us, who are in the waiting, for those secret things that You whispered so long ago... may you grant us peace and endow us with a patience that we can no longer conjure up on our own. It is only by Your Spirit that we can wait with joy.
Show us how, to make room for You... and the fulness that You long to bring with Your presence.
With Love and great Gratitude... in the Name of Jesus!
Amen :)
Have a beautiful day,
Tray

Ramblings, really...

Hi there,

It's a snow day in Nashville, and I'm just not feeling the hustle and bustle this weekend... so it's music, internet and phone calls for me :)

Ella is crooning the sweetest "Sunday Kind of Love" in the background and my cup of peppermint tea is offering warm comfort to my senses. Sometimes it's nice to just stay in.

There's been alot on my mind, as always. Yet, I've chosen not to broadcast what I've written publicly, lately. Understanding that there are seasons for everything... that is about to change, once again.

I realize now, more than ever... that I was created to share my thoughts, feelings, hopes, etc. It is simply who I am... and I find that the more courage and self love that I exhibit in talking about the hard things... the more I see people around who would not normally express themselves begin to do the same.
I am also realizing that this character trait is not just about other people. It is about me.
And that is okay.

It is okay for me to do things simply because I want to.
Not because it is going to be something profound for other people.
But because it is going to be what is fulfilling to me as well.

I love that about life.
I love that about learning.

I wish I could have realized these things before now.
I wish I could have lived my whole life including myself in the picture along with everyone else.

As I move more into "dating" mode, it is so interesting to see the different characters that come into my life. It's also amazing to see the different sides of me that they bring out. How crazy is it, to live for 30 years thinking you know who you are... and then realize that there are portions of your life that you have had no clue about!

It has been so important for me to have it all together all of these years... and now all of a sudden (or maybe not so suddenly), it feels more important to be able to be vulnerable... to be a little weak.
Sharing my needs is not easy for me at all. But I find that in relationships, there is a certain necessity for allowing someone else to provide for you in the ways that they feel confident and competent.

I am learning to give what's in my heart a voice... whether or not it will be received by all... or even many. Sometimes the sharing is simply about the one who is sharing... and that's okay too.

Today, I am staying in.
Today, I am changing.
Today, I am okay.

Dear Lord,
What a jumbled up mess of a person I can be some days... yet I feel your love so close and so constant. Thank you for urging me to share today. I pray that each person reading this will know that what they hold within them is worthy of expression. Lord, we were not put here on this Earth to only offer the perfected parts of ourselves... but to extend invitations daily, to intertwine with one another. Often times, that will not be the simplest process. And even more often than that, there will be misunderstandings and parts of ourselves that are exposed that we wish could have remained hidden. Oh God, I pray that we will all give grace to one another and also to ourselves for not being perfect. May our blemishes not cause us to hide. And in the same respect, may we also not be so repulsed by the ugly parts of one another, that we push each other away. Help us, to embrace. In Jesus' Name :)

Tray