Yesterday was such a wonderful day. For the first time in such a looooong time, Valentine's Day was a JOYFUL day in my life. Not because I had some amazing romantic encounter, 3 dozen roses or an engagement ring from the man of my destiny.... but simply because the Lord caused a heart change in me during the wee hours of the morning. In that time.. as I poured out my heart, he was pouring back in. Refreshing my wells, if you will.
I'll share with you one of my "fears" about Valentine's Day.... that every woman around me... at work, home and anywhere else will be "celebrated" while I rejoice with and for them yet another year. I know... it's not nice.... but it's unapologetically real.
That's one of those hurts that I wanted to really release to Him.
As I talked and listened... I realized something.
What is going on in me.... what has happened to my mind and heart.
I began to notice that there were no tears this year.... my heart didn't hurt... and my mind was not confused!!! I was actually EXCITED about walking out this Valentine's Day!!!
Well I don't know about you.... but this was BIG for me :0)
So I went to work... loved on everyone and received their love.... and it was just a sweet sweet day. It's been very busy so the time passed quickly.
Around 2 in the afternoon... IT happened :0)
"Someone has a delivery... someone has a delivery"!! And I'm thinking... awww that is soo sweet.
Well coming straight for me is a great, big, purple stuffed bunny(now affectionately named "Lavender" and a precious heart vase with yellow and red roses!!!!!
To my absolute shock and DELIGHT they were for ME!!!!
How totally amazing!
How totally like LOVE:0)
Needless to say, I was so completely blown away. I had no idea.
I share this story not to brag at all.... or to make you sad .... but to encourage you.
Those roses and that sweet little bunny were from my Father in heaven.... sent by my earthly angel.... my Best Friend in this life... Reco!
Reco.... let me just boast a little about the Jesus in Him.
He is THE MOST HUMBLE and loving person I have ever encountered. He has been through hell and back.... and all with a radiant and triumphant smile on face. He is completely and solely in Love with His Creator... and is daily surrendering his all for the Glory of God.
I am encouraged by him.
I am taught by him.
I am changed by the Love of the Lord through him.
I am so very greatful for all that he is!
HE is like Valentine's every single day of my life... I kid you not.
I pray that you too, have someone in your life who exemplifies Jesus.... someone who is outside of themselves and longing to always be only in Christ.
That's Reco for me.
I pray that one day, I will be that for someone too.
Nancy Keeth has affectionately termed this type of person your "Tony the Beat Poet".
We're reading the book "Blue like Jazz"... and there is a character in the book by this name.
In short... it is the type of person who keeps you real.... keeps you honest.... and I'll take the liberty of saying that they keep you close to themselves but even closer to Christ!
Thank you, Reco.
Thank you, Nancy.
Dear Daddy...Dear LOVE,
I want to publicly thank you for walking through the day with me yesterday. We had such a great time in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks for loving on me the way you do.
No one in this world can be as sweet as you are.
No one in this world can be as lovely and keep me in love with them as much as I am with You!
You are amazing!
I was soooo suprised yesterday when you showed up with the Bunny and the Flowers!
Thank you.... for dispelling a 30 year old lie... that I was undeserving of that type of affection.
Thank you... for breaking that bondage in my head and heart.
One gift, Lord. Just one.... how it can change a person's life.
YOU are that gift for me.
And even still you choose to give me more.
Thank you for Reco.... bless him 100 fold for his obedience to you.
Thank you so much for all the ways that you prove your love .
amen
I love you all.... and pray that you are encouraged!
Have a fabulous day.... u2 may be suprised by LOVE (I hope so),
Tracye
Showing posts with label Reco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reco. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Keep that Love
Can we keep love.
I live with two of the most amazing people I have ever met.....and I don't say that because they are perfect.... surely they are not. And neither am I.
We are a patchwork family... from different cloths, yet knit together with the love of God.
Mama Hight and Reco have accepted me into their home....not as a fair-weather friend or a visitor. They have given me not only a beautiful place to stay, continual gourmet meals and kindness overflowing.... they have given me their hearts and unconditional love at all times.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't realize that God alone could provide for me all that He has through them... and I am forever grateful.
Upon reflection... the past year of my life has been filled with people who were willing to open their homes to me. Being so independent in nature... this season of "needing others" has been difficult and yet refreshing. It has shown me purity of heart and motive... and also shown me the lack thereof....in myself and others.
By being on the receiving end of such giving people... I am changed forever.
Before this time of community came into my life, I was not as open and accomodating to others... and probably would not have been able to receive someone into my personal space, as they do.
There are so many excuses we all can use .....finances, not enough space, not wanting to share personal space, "I have to have it this way or that", they must respect my home by doing things this way.... the reasons are endless if that is the mindset.
It is only now... because of this new chapter in my life that I can clearly see that there is a portion of the word that the Body of Christ has not been great at following. I will be the first to admit that this has been vital for seeing beyond my self righteous attainment. So often in scripture the Lord commands us to put others before ourselves... and yet I find myself falling short of that.
One thing that Mama Hight always says when we're talking about relational issues is that "If you keep that Love... it all will work out". The first time she said it, I chuckled inside because of the way she said "Keep that Love".... but now I remember that phrase throughout my day. It doesn't matter whether I'm dealing with a client who's preoccupied, a friend who doesn't do or say things as I would like for them too, a family member who is unresponsive or my own inconsistencies with self and others... I remember to first love myself and then my neighbor in the same way.... and as long as Love is in the mix... it will all work out.
Maybe this all comes a little easier for you... but I put forth a challenge. Why not today, try something a little different.... (okay, so maybe you're already doing this...then kudos to you, really..... but if you're not...)
When you feel those negative thoughts and feelings arising about yourself or someone else.... do yourself a favor and Keep That Love. Ask yourself if you've done all you can (notice I did not say all you want) to express love to that person who's on your mind or heart. If there is tension... reach out to them with love... no matter who's fault the problem is. Unconditional grace is such a beautiful thing to both give and receive.
I guarantee that if you do something different... and Keep That Love.... things will work out all right!
With a Happy Heart!
Tracye
P.s. Here's a little scripture bonus that'll bless you :)
The Message
Matthew 25 Read This Chapter
25:34 -46
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.
And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink?
And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'
Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.'
"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell.
And why? Because - I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'
"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'
"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me - you failed to do it to me.'
"Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."
I live with two of the most amazing people I have ever met.....and I don't say that because they are perfect.... surely they are not. And neither am I.
We are a patchwork family... from different cloths, yet knit together with the love of God.
Mama Hight and Reco have accepted me into their home....not as a fair-weather friend or a visitor. They have given me not only a beautiful place to stay, continual gourmet meals and kindness overflowing.... they have given me their hearts and unconditional love at all times.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't realize that God alone could provide for me all that He has through them... and I am forever grateful.
Upon reflection... the past year of my life has been filled with people who were willing to open their homes to me. Being so independent in nature... this season of "needing others" has been difficult and yet refreshing. It has shown me purity of heart and motive... and also shown me the lack thereof....in myself and others.
By being on the receiving end of such giving people... I am changed forever.
Before this time of community came into my life, I was not as open and accomodating to others... and probably would not have been able to receive someone into my personal space, as they do.
There are so many excuses we all can use .....finances, not enough space, not wanting to share personal space, "I have to have it this way or that", they must respect my home by doing things this way.... the reasons are endless if that is the mindset.
It is only now... because of this new chapter in my life that I can clearly see that there is a portion of the word that the Body of Christ has not been great at following. I will be the first to admit that this has been vital for seeing beyond my self righteous attainment. So often in scripture the Lord commands us to put others before ourselves... and yet I find myself falling short of that.
One thing that Mama Hight always says when we're talking about relational issues is that "If you keep that Love... it all will work out". The first time she said it, I chuckled inside because of the way she said "Keep that Love".... but now I remember that phrase throughout my day. It doesn't matter whether I'm dealing with a client who's preoccupied, a friend who doesn't do or say things as I would like for them too, a family member who is unresponsive or my own inconsistencies with self and others... I remember to first love myself and then my neighbor in the same way.... and as long as Love is in the mix... it will all work out.
Maybe this all comes a little easier for you... but I put forth a challenge. Why not today, try something a little different.... (okay, so maybe you're already doing this...then kudos to you, really..... but if you're not...)
When you feel those negative thoughts and feelings arising about yourself or someone else.... do yourself a favor and Keep That Love. Ask yourself if you've done all you can (notice I did not say all you want) to express love to that person who's on your mind or heart. If there is tension... reach out to them with love... no matter who's fault the problem is. Unconditional grace is such a beautiful thing to both give and receive.
I guarantee that if you do something different... and Keep That Love.... things will work out all right!
With a Happy Heart!
Tracye
P.s. Here's a little scripture bonus that'll bless you :)
The Message
Matthew 25 Read This Chapter
25:34 -46
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.
And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink?
And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'
Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.'
"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell.
And why? Because - I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'
"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'
"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me - you failed to do it to me.'
"Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."
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