Wisdom, Whimsey, and a Whistle.
Helping Moms Live JOY! No matter the challenges you face, or will face, as a mom, you have been divinely equipped to face them and grow through them. God is the Potter and you are the clay. He is molding and fashioning you and, through you, your children. That truth holds great beauty and divine security.

About Tracey

On a good day you’ll find me outdoors hiking and squeezing in some writing. I love my man and my children, [read more]

Happily Inadequate

May
25

I admit it – I am woefully inadequate.

Frequently.

Oh how that used to bother me.

A lot.

That is what is so very interesting about the work of the Holy Spirit and time spent reading God’s word. The more I read the Bible, the more I realize how far, far away my life is from the life of Christ.

I mean really, at every turn He willingly, with grace, put others before Himself and took time, lots of time, to love others – no matter their short comings, faults or wicked sins.

And then there’s me.

So easily aggravated by others, so “offended” and “put off” when things don’t go my way on any given day. Oh, I may be slick enough to keep my mouth shut, but the thoughts that skip through my head. Shameful.

Heavy sigh.

I think I understand now the true meaning of the phrase – “ignorance is bliss.” When I was a “casual Christian” I thought myself quite grand and well put together. I believed all the lies I had invented about myself.

As I have become a seeker of truth and spent time studying the Bible I have been reminded daily just how far from His ways my thought life can be. Which causes me all the more to pursue His grace and love – and freely offer it to others.

Recognizing my weakness helps me to see more clearly the strength I can possess when I am more like Christ.

I, left to my own devices, am happily inadequate.

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School’s Out For The Summer

May
23

I am always so excited this time of year because my kids will be home more during the summer and my days, and nights, will be a bit more carefree and casual.

Yes, of course there is still lots that must get done…but daggum it I decided several years ago that when I was a kid I loved summer cause the pressure was off! So I made sort of a personal declaration that just because I was a grown up did not mean I couldn’t have a summer “break” too!

Everything is just a bit more laid back and relaxed around here in the summer. The house isn’t quite as tidy, the meals are a bit more simple, the evenings a bit more random with fun and a quick yes to most ideas that get tossed up as a possibility.

The kids can have sleep overs two (and even three) nights in a row, sleep outside, create mud pits, eat gross jelly beans, make unusual meals, get loud playing games with their friends, create strange videos, stay up half the night…you know all the stuff that used to make summer fun for you.

The way I see it, I can let them have no holds bar amazing fun at our home with their friends, or I can set up lots of rules and push them right out the door. Not knowing where they may end up, or at a home where I don’t know what the definition of fun could be…or where parents are not around and the fun is unsupervised.

We are blessed to have several friends who agree with our approach and the teens have a few houses to rotate through for fun and frolic. A couple  weeks ago they were here for our Kentucky Derby Party, the week after they were at the Glub’s house for a Cereal Party!

What I have found is having light hearted kids around our home all summer havin fun, helps keep hubby and me light hearted and havin fun!

Maybe we get a bit less sleep and our grocery bill goes up – but there will be plenty of time for sleep and small grocery bills when our kids are off living their own lives.

So tell me, what extra mischief to your kids get you into during the summer? Share with me some new ideas for fun with teens!

 

 

Filed Under: Fun Mom Ideas, Mom Traps (all 7 of them!) Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment

Foster Care Prayer Vigil – online

May
21

Welcome to Be the Mom, as I mentioned in my post titled, Foster Care Prayer Vigil  today my post is part of the prayer vigil for foster care children.  I am inviting you to offer up your own prayer in the comment section, or on your own blog as you join with me in the National Foster Prayer Vigil going on all this week.

 

Father God, I praise you and thank you that you are the Alpha and the Omega and that you know each of your children personally.  I thank you that spring reveals your glory, newness of life and new beginnings.

As I contemplate the fatherless, the thousands of orphans and foster children I find myself drowning in sadness for the ache that exists in each individual child.  Father God I ask that you would help each of those children feel your love and your hope. I pray that they would come to know you personally so their ache for love and acceptance may be filled by you.  Draw them to you. Grant them your tender grace and mercy.

Father may those that serve the fatherless be strengthened in their efforts, may you fill them with your Holy Spirit as they serve and love each child.  May you cause the hearts of many to be touched for the fatherless.  Whether personal lives need to be intertwined, monies need to be donated or prayers be lifted up, cause thousands to learn about the plight of the Fatherless and become involved in some way.  Turn knowledge into action, action for individual lives.

Bless all those who have opened their homes and hearts to the fatherless and provide for their needs, both emotional and financial in abundance.  Place in the hearts of many the desire to open their homes for the fatherless and grant them the courage and steadfastness to be obedient to your call.

As you hear the prayers on behalf of Foster Care children I pray that the church will rise up and offer safe havens, in loving homes, for Foster Care children and that love of a forever family will be freely and obediently given.  God cause a stirring and burden in your people that causes them to take steps to become involved.

Your word tells us that pure and undefiled religion is caring for the orphan and the widow…burden every believer to become your hands and heart in the care for the least of these.

May sacrificial giving of ourselves, our time, and treasures be a reality in the life of all believers.  May we study the life of Jesus daily and commit ourselves to living His example.  Forgive us our sinful, selfish nature and continue to teach us your ways.  Thank you for your forgiveness through Christ and I pray this is His name.

As moms, we pray for our children daily…now is your opportunity to pray for the fatherless… children alone. Since this is an attempt to hold an “on-line” prayer vigil for the fatherless I hope you will add your prayer in the comment section.

Whether in the comment section, or in your heart, will you commit to pray and Be The Mom for those who have no mom?

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Wow

May
19

As I sat down to write I was struck by the fact that I didn’t quite know where to begin.

Suffice it to say I have had quite the twenty four hours.

Yesterday I was on a one hour conference call with some amazingly gifted and Godly folks who believe, really believe in the book I have written and want to work with me to get it into the hands of moms.

Wow.

My daughter, who got home from college on Monday left again yesterday to head to her two week training for her job as a wrangler at Pine Cove. Thankfully she will come home after those two weeks and will be here for a good month. It was great to have her home, but not long enough. I miss her already.

Wow.

This morning I was a speaker at the American Christian Writers annual conference here in Arkansas and I spent time with some amazing writer’s using their gifts to bring others closer to God. The writer’s there were very inspirational – big hearts.

Wow.

Had to leave the event early – got a text that my son had been in a dirt bike wreck and was injured. Heart dropped to my stomach and I started praying and trying to remain peaceful as I got to him as fast as I could.

Wow.

He seems to be fine, he did receive a concussion – join me in praying that he will be completely healthy and have no long term effects. He was supposed to go with friends bowling tonight and he just left – yeah, we let him go. Trusting.

Wow.

I am so grateful that God is in charge of every one of my 24 hours and none of this is a surprise to Him. He will use every hour of my life for His purposes and His glory!

Wow.

 

Filed Under: Faith, Writing Tagged With: , , 1 Comment

Fifty Shades of Grey No Way

May
16

There are days when you read something on someone else’s blog that you find so compelling you just kinda think…why say what’s already been said?

Such is the case today.

I have much admiration and respect for Dannah Gresh and she has dedicated the last several years of her life to speaking into the lives of others on the subject of purity and sexuality. She has done the research and has a pure heart in her motives to speak on these subjects.

Well, on her blog today she’s claiming, “I’m Not Reading Fifty Shades of Grey” and asks others to join her in that statement. If you have heard all about Fifty Shades of Grey and are planning to read it – might I suggest you hear what Dannah has to say and you may just want to reconsider.

I, for sure, will not be reading Fifty Shades of Gray. There are some things you just don’t want in your brain.

To make a better informed decision for yourself on wether or not to read this book, I invite you to go hear Dannah’s thoughts and join with her in making the statement, I’m Not Reading Fifty Shades of Grey!

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Wedding Coordinator Observations

May
15

Over the weekend I had the joy of serving a friend as the wedding coordinator for her daughter’s wedding. I have had lots of experience through the years as a party planner, wedding planner, but as of late I “gift” my services to those I love because it blesses me tremendously to see a peaceful mother and a happy bride!

As I sat on my back deck today praying for the new bride and groom I had several snapshots of the day click through my head.

  • the bride and her mother and attendants getting ready before the wedding, seeing that nervous anticipation on the bride’s face…and remembering my own
  • the groom’s look of awe as I told him – five minutes before “first look” photo’s
  • the prayers of my 16 year old boy work crew as we were preparing for the out door reception while the ceremony was taking place
  •  the sun bursting forth the moment the bride and groom stepped out of the church (answered prayer – the forecast was 70% chance of thunderstorms)
  • the father of the bride singing as his daughter had the first dance with her husband
  • the contented look of the mother of the bride as she stood by throughout the day, a short distance away, watching and relishing the joy of her daughter no doubt realizing a season has passed
  • the bride stooping down to talk with a wide eyed five year old little girl who saw standing before her a princess of fairy tale proportions
  • a weary groom, patiently waiting to steal his bride away from chatting wedding guests and carry her to her surprise honeymoon destination
  • the final goodbye’s of the parents of the groom and parents of the bride before they ran out of the church into a sea of bubbles

Weddings are glorious. Marriage is difficult.

My prayer is that this sweet couple will spend everyday dying to self, for that is truly the secret behind the “I do” … “for as long as you both shall live.”

 

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Foster Care Prayer Vigil – Hosts Needed

May
11

I have supported Hope for Orphans since 2006 and it is my fervent prayer that others in the mom blogging space will join with Hope for Orphans for the National Foster Care Prayer Vigil.

Five years ago during a gathering of orphan advocates at Saddleback Church I stood at a small table and registered those who would commit to pray. That day I slowly watched the map of the United States fill up with prayer vigils being committed to all across this nation of ours.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could virtually hold a Foster Care Prayer Vigil?  Join with me on Monday, May 21st and use your blog to pray for children in the foster care system. And commit yourself and your family to continue to pray every evening that week.

Be The Mom in prayer, for those who have no mom.

Join with me on May 21st as my post becomes a prayer and I ask those who visit my blog to write a prayer in the comments.

Please register your own virtual Prayer Vigil by visiting the Cry of the Orphan website.

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Anxiety & Fear Wave

May
10

I am in a difficult place right now.

I just read over and camped on Psalm 23 for a bit.

Rather than quiet waters…I sense a churning.

An overwhelming crash of emotion…a wave of anxiety and fear.   As I concentrate on God and who He is in the face of my uncertainty, though the wave is upon me, it slowly abates with the ebb of peace and calm – just as the waves of the ocean.

God is not surprised by anything happening in my life right now.

I am learning that the pound of the wave is strangely welcomed. Because that turmoil and tumbling brings with it the promise of a gentle retreat and peaceful calm remains after the wave subsides.

The sea shell that finds itself trapped within the surf being rolled and tossed and relentlessly pounded has no way of knowing that tumult is smoothing rough edges and polishing to bring out beauty.

And the powerful wave is pushing that seashell towards a serene seashore that passersby may stop, stoop and admire all of its God intended gloriousness.

God’s creation was fashioned in the pounding.

This is the picture God gave me this morning of what He is up to in the pounding. It sounds splendid when it’s a seashell – it’s painful when you are a mom … attempting to go about your day.

I glance over at my Bible and the words somehow seem larger “…he leads me beside quiet waters,” indeed no matter the tumult…He leads me to the quiet waters. For that I am overcome with gratitude for His grace and mercy.

I will praise Him in this storm.

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Social Media Deaths Increasing

May
9

An alarming trend of loss and death continues to grow, leading to speculation that social media and media in general have become the fastest growing killers in America.

The public reporting of mounting deaths has been kept under wraps for several years, but no longer can our society look the other way.  We must all recognize the truth that there is a dark side of social media and media or the death toll will continue to rise.

Several first hand accounts of these deaths are now being widely reported and Americans are being asked to consider their culpability and involvement in an effort to put an end to the widespread death and destruction.

Reported Deaths:

“Our home used to be filled with conversation and laughter as we connected with each other, now we connect with our iphones, itunes and computers.”  Death of family unity.

“After school snacks used to be a time of hearing about my children’s day, it is now my opportunity to post on my blog, Facebook and Twitter, while they text their peers.”  Death of child/parent bonding.

“I used to play with my daughter at the park, now she plays alone while I chat on my phone.” Death of mother/daughter relationship.

“Gathering in the kitchen to share in meal preparation used to be a great way to bond with my husband and son. Now my husband uses that time to send out those last few e-mails while my son plays X-Box and I add a few more Pins.” Death of family togetherness routines.

“We used to hang out together in the evenings.  We now retreat to separate rooms and personal media choices.” Death of the “family” room.

“I used to enjoy my cup of coffee and quiet time with God. Now I check Facebook first thing…and linger longer each day.” Death of relationship with God.

What do you think? Are your relationships suffering due to media choices? Or have you found a way to step away? Please share!

 

I wrote this post a few weeks ago and feared the blogging world was not ready to accept it and it has been tucked away…waiting for the right time to share.

This morning a friend Mona sent me this link to a post a young mom, Rachel at Hand Free Mama, shared - and I was so touched by her post and lifted up a prayer that her words would be heeded by those that read her explosive thoughts. I hope moms will push their phones aside, rather than their children.

About an hour later, while I was enjoying my walk and prayer time, God pulled up to the front of my mind the truth that families all over America are dying.

He also assured me that now was the time to report on that very truth…

 

Filed Under: Be The Mom, Mom Traps (all 7 of them!) Tagged With: , , 6 Comments

Learnin To Be The Light Here! You?

May
4

Love, Love, Love this song…my anthem…officially!  Listen to those WORDS…and the melody…and that voice!

BEST SONG to describe me ever!!!! How about you?

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