What’s on my mind…

What's on my mind? Catching Your Breath

You know that moment when you can’t take another step unless you stop and catch your breath? Most of the time we think catching our breath only relates to physical exertion.

What about those times when catching your breath is about more than your breath? When it’s about ceasing something in order to give yourself a break - to slow down long enough for your soul to catch up with the activity or the frenzy or the overwhelming experiences of today or this month or year…

What’s on my mind today? Noticing the invitations in life. One of the ways I have discovered God’s presence in my life has come through recognizing and responding to the invitations that have been extended to me.

An example of a rather significant invitation is the one I received in October 2017 - the invitation to leave full time church music ministry. It wasn’t an easy invitation (especially because I had no idea what was coming next), but it certainly was a compelling one, and deeply personal.

What's on my mind? Pushing the clutch pedal! I am forever thankful that my first car was a '68 VW Bug. My dad bought it to travel to seminary (which I mistakenly called 'cemetery' the entire time he was there - I was . He traveled from Carmi, Illinois to Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in KY each week. He paid $1,500 for it. I remember offering to pay for the car because I heard the $15 part, not the hundred part. Hey, I had a savings account - I've got this, Dad!!

You may be thinking, “Oh, I’ve already taken that leap, Tracy, and there is no turning back.” I hear you! But, I’m going to encourage you anyway, because I believe there is something to be learned from reflecting on our experiences and story.

What’s on my mind this morning? Having a guide - a coach! Many of you may already know, or at least have suspected, that I am an independent person - sometimes fiercely so. As one who has been single, and not lived near family for the majority of my adult life, I’m not inclined to ask for help. At least, I wasn’t before I began doing the hard work of going inward, becoming more aware of my ‘ways’ and the areas of growth that needed attention, and healing.

What’s on my mind this afternoon?  Getting Uncomfortable!  Notice, I didn’t say “being” uncomfortable.  It’s a subtle difference, but the former implies a choice or decision has been made.  Perhaps the greatest hindrance to making positive (and important) changes in our lives has to do with our willingness or unwillingness to get uncomfortable.  

What’s on my mind today? The lonely people. Anytime there is a holiday, it heightens my awareness of the lonely people. We love to celebrate and on days like yesterday, family and friends gather together to celebrate. It’s a blessing! 

Well, it certainly looks like a blessing. Social media is filled with…

What’s on my mind this morning? The glory of the Lord - savoring a God-sighting! You know - those moments when you feel God’s presence or see signs of God’s work. It might be the kindness of another person, or the order of things that happen right before your eyes that draw you into the already present Presence of God. Sometimes these moments seem simple and …

What’s on my mind this morning? Letting go of fear. An unsettled feeling has been brewing in me for the past few days. It’s a feeling I rarely acknowledge to myself, let alone publicly. It’s fear. And unless I miss my guess, I’m in good company here. We all experience…

What’s on my mind? Mother’s Day, adoption, and stepping into the Light! I’ve been thinking a lot about Mother’s Day this week. I am so thankful for my own mother, my new mother, and all the wonderful mothers I have known throughout my life and especially those whom I call friends. I delight in watching…

What's on my mind this morning? My favorite quote: "Comparison is the thief of joy!" Let that thought sink in for a minute - Comparison is the thief of joy… Almost the very moment we compare ourselves to another (or vice versa), we have missed the…