Have you ever seen an “everyday miracle?”
I believe we will find “everyday miracles” around us if we just open our eyes to see them. God is so amazing and when I slow down long enough to notice, I find little surprises all around me!  For example, a miracle sprouting up in my driveway.

Can you believe this beautiful petunia?  Yes, it is growing in the middle of the asphalt!  Never planted…never watered or cared for…but still growing and blooming and vibrant!  This flower that grew in my driveway looked better than some of my potted ones planted in fertilized, beautiful, nutrient rich soil!

This petunia teaches me a lesson in perseverance.  

When I first saw it, I immediately thought about Romans 5:4 :
“…we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” NIV
…and James 1:4 :
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

This little seed, wherever it had come from, had persevered through the rock, the lack of rain, and even the lack of nurturing.

Even through trials, hope perseveres!


Persevering with you,
Tracy

Weeping....


".....weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5
I love this verse. It is such a reminder that sorrow doesn't last forever....there will be JOY again. The night may be dark. It may seem long. It may bring pain....trembling....foreboding....
but, in the morning, there will be joy.
There will be peace.
There will be comfort.
There will be rest (no matter how un-restful the night had been.)
There will be celebrating.....
REJOICING.
I absolutely love this weeping willow tree. It stands so regally near my home. I took this picture when I was running one morning. The sun was rising beautifully behind the tree. As I thought of the sad tree, the weeping willow, the sun was a reminder that in the morning there will be
JOY.

Blessings!

Freedom!

Oh, Lord, You have freed me from my chains!
Hallelujah!
Thank You, Jesus that You came, not only to forgive me for my sins, but that You also came to free me, heal me, and restore my joy!
When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed His intentions by quoting Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed
me
to preach good news to the
poor.
He has sent me to bind up
the
brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom
for
the
captives
and release from darkness
for
the
prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the
Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of
our God,
to comfort all who
mourn,
and provide for those who
grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of
beauty
instead of
ashes,
the oil of
gladness
instead of
mourning,
and a garment of
praise
instead of a spirit of
despair.

Are you experiencing any chains in your life? Anything that is holding you down, keeping you imprisoned?
A sin that you cannot break free from?
Doubt?
Fear?
Unbelief?
Jesus came to set the captives free- to break any chains that bind us.
Jesus came so that, in a relationship with Him, we find freedom. We experience joy. He wants to heal us, restore us.