Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day

The following is a partial post from years ago.

My boys want to be like their Daddy. They want to try preaching and leading church services. They want to dress like him. They even talk about going to college for 14 years like Dad. Heaven forbid! They adore their dad.
My husband has a weight problem that results in a liver disorder, so he tries to watch his weight. One way that he does that is to order diet sodas when we are out at restaurants. The boys have noticed that and for a very long time have asked for diet as well. I wouldn't let them because I don't think the artificial sweeteners are good for them. This year I finally gave in and allowed them to order diet soda.
I was surprised that after the first time they still wanted diet sodas. Ugh! After a while though, I noticed that when they ordered it, they sat up a little taller and had a proud look as they peeked over at Dad. It wasn't the soda they were wanting, but to be like their father.
Last week, while ice skating, the younger one ordered a diet because he "needs to lose some weight". He is extremely skinny and wiry. I came home and told my husband what he had said. Without another word from me, my husband called the boy in the room and talked to him about why it is important for Dad to watch his weight, but not for the child. Health was the important factor, not weight loss.
I was so proud to see the father not only set the example, but explain the example as well. They play ball with their dad, watch his movies, and his every move. Oh that every child could have an earthly father like my children's. Loving, involved, interested, proud of his children.

Some things have changed; the boys don't order diet sodas. But some things have not changed; my boys still have the best dad ever!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

My Purpose and The Big Reveal

I evidently don't think like everyone else. Not that I am the only person who thinks my way, but my husband assures me I am a bit different. So while I imagine that the little blurbs I write on this blog are common, everyday thoughts, perhaps they are not.
I have gone back to review some of my first posts, and I realize that the reason for my writing has morphed just a bit. I believe my purpose is to point toward God. God has created quite a world for us to work in, rush in, and consume ourselves in. But that wasn't the reason that He created; He created so that we could see Him.
And therein lies my purpose. I do see God, every single day. I encounter Him in nature, in His word, in people, and in myself. But, I have friends who don't get these daily glimpses of God. So God has directed me to show Him to the world.
I told you a week ago that this terrifies me. I do not want to screw it up and make God look bad. Then I came across Psalm 69 in which David says:

Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me.

And now I ask the same.

My name is Traci Stead. I have blogged anonymously for close to nine years. I have to the best of my ability protected myself and my family from those who would harm us. I now place our care in the arms of God. I am ready to fully enter His service.

Look soon for this blog to change to a website under my name.
Look for a book, out at Christmas or in the Spring called Devotions Of a Gerbil, authored by my name.
Look for my name and opportunities to interact with me on FaceBook and Twitter.
But as you look for my name, remember that my full name is Traci Stead Pointing To God and look up to the Father of us all.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Smack In The Face!

This year I am using Jesus Calling by Sarah Young as part of my morning worship routine. I can not tell you how very often what is written on the page is in direct relation to what I am going through or praying. For instance, on Saturday, June 8, I was going through my prayers and apologizing to God for being so concerned about everyone else in the family. The boys were taking the ACT test, Hubby was stressed with all that needed doing, family members were sick, and on it went. "It's just as Paul said," I told Him, "when you have a family you have other concerns and not just God's. So you'll have to forgive me for not being able to give you all of my attention."

Then I read, "I want you to be all MINE, filled with the Light of my Presence. I gave everything for you by living as a man, then dying for your sins and living again. Hold back nothing from me."

Yeah, I felt the shovel hit me square in the face. How dare I try to make excuses to God for not making Him the first priority ALWAYS. He knows I have other commitments. He can deal with that. My ultimate goal must be to always and forever stand in His Presence.

I am Thine, O Lord.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

Sheltering Shadows

While I was on retreat a couple weeks ago, I daily enjoyed walking. My final walk for the day would be back over the hill to stop at my log and look over the hills and sunset. Not surprisingly, that was often the first walk of the day as well.

But one of the other walks would be down the main road toward the center of the little village where I grew up. The center is a nursing home. It used to be my school. It still looks like my school from, oh let's say 30 years ago and leave it at that, but now it has old ladies rocking on the covered porch.

During one of these walks, I enjoyed the clouds that were piling up in the sky. They seemed especially low and puffy, and I just had to take a few pictures.

But when I stood back to look beyond the clouds and noticed the entire surroundings, I realized that the countryside was darkened because of the clouds.

I thought about what a tiny bug must be thinking buried deep in the grass shaded by those clouds. A terrible storm is brewing. This might be the end of me. Too much rain and I will surely drown.I didn't think anything about a storm myself, because I could see beyond the shadows.
 And then I started to wonder. How often do I worry about an approaching storm in my life when there is really only sunshine and warmth headed my way?

Does God look over the countryside of my life and say what a beautiful day, what perfect clouds, when I say, Why have you forsaken me, Lord!?
If only I could step out of the shadows and see the big picture.

Shadows are two-fold personalities. A shadow can be menacing and cold. You wish you could escape into the sun. The other shadow offers shelter from the burning heat, a place of refreshment and relief.

 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2
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Wednesday, June 05, 2013

A Broken Mower

The bumblies and flutterbies are very happy. It seems last week while I was gone, #1 went out to mow the grass only to discover that the mower was broken. He was able to make one swipe around the yard before he had to head in to get his father.

"It's blowing white smoke and looks like it's on fire!"

Hubby took it around one more time, agreed with the son that this was out of his range of knowledge, and called the mower repair company.

They came to get the mower the day I was driving back home. The idea was that the service would call if the repair was too expensive and we should just buy a new one.
 So for a week now we have been walking through high weeds and wondering if we need to take out a loan for a mower. Today the mower was returned to us in working condition. No more smoke. No need for a loan. Whew!

Now the boys are out mowing the grass, which has grown abundantly in this moist, warm climate, with the blade on high. #2, mostly growing up in NASCAR country, has to be reminded to slow down as he mows. He likes to take the turns a bit too quickly and leaves behind a patch of high grass and weeds every few swipes.

The boys understand that they will be mowing again in a few more days with the blade a bit lower. That's the way it has to be done in order to get through all of the grass.


The problem with a lawn mower is that you don't know it is broken until you already need to use it. The grass needed mowing a week ago- maybe even earlier but the weather wasn't cooperative. Now, at least a week past mowing time, the grass is full of weeds, ant hills, and problems.

Paul told Timothy to be prepared in season and out of season to correct, rebuke, and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2) He was saying check your mower before it's time to mow. Raise the blade, go easy around the curves, and spray some ant killer. But always, always be sure your mower is ready.
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Monday, June 03, 2013

Home Again, Home Again

Jiggety Jig and here I am again: trying to get everything done. It hardly seems possible that less than a week ago I was on retreat enjoying a quiet holiday all alone. I am surrounded by lists of things to accomplish and only one way to get it all done: ignore everything else!
Soon there will be some changes here on the old blog. For instance, you are soon going to discover my real name! I have struggled greatly with that. I began using a pseudonym in order to protect my privacy and that of my family, but to go to the next step of my writing career- which feels like step 1- I have to tell you who I am.
The issue now is not so much about privacy as it is a great responsibility to let you know who this sinner is. I don't want to screw up and have you think less of God because of my deficiencies. I was thinking about that this morning as I read Psalm 69. Then I came across this verse:

Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me.

I guess David had the same concerns. Putting that in perspective, I am not king, ruler of God's nation, or even in the running for such a position. If David, with all that was riding on his shoulders, still felt that he had to put himself out there for God, then I can do no less.
But for a few more days I will enjoy anonymity. Angel