Stormy Weather...

It's been pretty crazy here in Nashville.
Temperatures have been mixed up and the atmosphere is just mad about it!

Turbulence. Unrest. Disquiet.
All of the things that are happening in nature... and I see it in my heart as well.

God is shaking us.
He is stirring us from our slumberous lives... walking around not fully awake... not hearing His sound or seeing the signs.

Solomon already told us that our quests here are all in vain, yet we continue to gorge ourselves on what is void and empty... and we still want more.

Last night, I was a bit annoyed that my Tuesday night plans were interrupted. Living on my own personal island called "just me and what I want to do"... I don't have to surrender to someone else's ideas unless I choose to. And I find that the older I get, the harder it is to allow someone else to make decisions for me.
Well, when Biggest Loser was pre-empted for news broadcasting about Tornado warnings, I was upset. My mind muttered something about how they should just have a special channel for this kind of stuff.
And then, the conditions outside caused me to lose wireless internet connection. Now I was super-mad! This is ridiculous!
Now, I not only can't get my weekly fix of weight loss motivation... I can't put my Avon orders together either cause I CAN'T GET ONLINE... MY LIFE IS OVER .... AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHH!

So I pouted for a few seconds and flailing myself down on the couch, I finally became still.
It was then that I heard the reporter speaking with great concern in his voice.
All around the area, people were being devastated... losing their homes and their lives.
Oh.
Oh my gosh.

Sleeping Beauty (Brat in this case), was awakened from her self made slumber.
Oh, God... it's not about me.
It's not about my wants and my plans.

All of a sudden, my tiny little island became connected to the world again.

And in those quiet hours, He was able to speak to my heart and restore my peace... all in the midst of the storm.

To The One Who says "Peace Be Still", and the winds obey... I say thank you.
Once again, You answered the cries of my broken soul... even when I did not know the words to speak.
You amaze me with your overwhelming Love and the power that you have to stay any storm... whether it is physical or emotional.
You are The Healer... You are in control.
Father, be with those who have been ravished by storms outside. And God, please draw so close to those who feel as though their mental and emotional ships have been capsized.
You are in our boats with us.
And we can rest... in the midst of the Storms... because You are.

With great gratitude and an awakened heart... i love you.
tracye

You're Not Alone

I'm running a little late today...
Don't you love those mornings (great sarcasm :0)

Actually... it's not that I'm running late... it's just that the "messies" caught up with me this morning and I had to spend some of my quiet time calming the storm in my bedroom... laughing.
You have to laugh while you're working on your idiosyncrisies..... or you'll end up in tears.
Well at least that's my story.

Speaking of the storm in my bedroom.... there are a few storms in my life right now....
the heaviest on my heart is the one at work. To make a loooong story really short.... we are a group of 3 women (I could stop right there), 2 guys and a boss.... who are building a dept that upon our arrival was an overwhelmed effort of 2 people... doing the job of 6.
As you can imagine.... having to put processes in place and define things can become a blame game, a chance to "shine", and ..... well you can fill in the blanks I'm sure.

Right now... work is a challenge. And you know... I'm so happy this morning to say that I am excited.
Now before you close the page on me.... let me just tell you why.

It's not that I haven't shed tears.... been angry and ready for revenge...
It's not that I haven't been ready to defend myself or get someone straight.

The reason I am excited is because when people around me try to make me feel "alone"... it is in those times that the Lord shows me just how close He is! He is right by my side at work... and anywhere else I go.

He is a ready defender.
HE said "Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm".
HE said to "Take no thought about provision" (Tracye's translation).

Yesterday was a tough day.... and after ranting it out and getting myself upset all over again... I walked into my room and happened to go to Jason Upton's website. As I continued to surf the web... I realized that the song playing on his website was repeating.... one time, two times and a third time. Though I thought it was soothing... I was still so angry that I hadn't been listening to the words:

Your not Alone
Your not Alone...
I never leave you
I never leave you!!!

over and over again it played..... and I began to realize that He was speaking to me.

I hadn't realized that beyond all of the other issues... the deepest one I was facing was the lie of the enemy that I was alone.... especially concerning my job.
He reminded me that I am not alone at work.
Who can make war with our God?
Who can come against the Creator of the Universe?
Who can stand in His Presence?

Once again.... I've been changd. I'm going to work today... KNOWING that NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME WILL PROSPER!!!! My Great God is on MY SIDE!!!!!

I'm excited to see the wicked plans fail.
I'm intensely aware that He is with ME today.. and everyday.
I am free of anxiety and worry... because He'll give me the wisdom, the patience and the supernaturally ability to do an awesome job at any task that comes my way!!

I am not alone!

And neither are you!
Remember today.... whatever the tough situations.. and in whatever way that the enemy is trying to tell you that you're out there by yourself.... Remember!

YOU'RE NOT ALONE
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
HE'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU
HE'LL NEVER LEAVE YOU!!!!

With Greatful Love,
Tracye