A Chat with Tracy Steel (Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned)

Jackie Smith Bell — Mon, 11 May 2020 12:38:05 +0000

What happens when you find you are not living the life you designed? That’s the question today’s guest, my friend, Tracy Steel will be answering as we talk about finding peace in the pandemic, and her book A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL HEAR:

What Tracy learned from redefined lines in motherhood

What we can learn about spiritual life through the principles of interior design
Encouragement for when life doesn’t go as planned

KEY POINTS:

God is the master designer and has a plan that does not rest on our shoulders.
Our identity in Christ allows us to balance our wise choices and unexpected circumstances.
You are not alone. Others feel disappointed by life not going as planned. We can support one another in friendship, community and our faith.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

A Redesigned Life: Uncovering God’s Purpose When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUR GUEST:

The Eternal Dance

Jackie Smith Bell — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 21:28:37 +0000

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” Revelation 21:4-5 (ESV)

I could feel the softness of her voice that no longer spoke with clarity, as I laid my head on her chest. I knew she was in pain. Tears began to stream down my face, as if a water valve had broken inside my heart.

Closing my eyes, my thoughts traveled down memory lane. It was summertime, and I was a seven-year-old little girl– bored out my mind. I had read two bookmobile books, played solitary, and ate several bowls of cereal.

My mother took one look at me and said, ” Dede, let’s dance.” She turned on the music, placed my hand in hers and with each rhythmic step, our laughter sent my boredom blues packing. Such sweet memories. And, yet, as I laid there, I sensed my mother was slipping away.

I opened my eyes, took one look at her, grabbed my phone, turned on the music, and whispered, “Mother, let’s dance.”

As I placed her hand in mine, I moved our hands back and forth, and watched my mother’s eyes dance with joy. Suddenly, I felt like that 7-year-old little girl, and this sweet moment, sent my blues packing.

The unrhythmic steps. The memories that lingered. The uncomfortable dance with time.

Let’s dance.

Today is the one-year hallmark of my mother’s transition to Heaven. Not one day goes by that I don’t think of her. I miss her deeply. I long to hear the melody of her voice and the cadence of her laughter.

But even amid this awkward place of her needing her, there’s a peaceful assurance inside my heart. An invitation. A knowing that I will see her face and dance with her again.

As I wake to another day of her absence, I anchor my thoughts on John 14:2,

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (ESV).

When the memories play back, and the tears stream down my face, I find comfort in knowing there’s an eternal home, created by God, where my mother lives without pain.

Our key verse says, there’s no mourning, crying, or pain. All things are new.

Y’all, I truly believe my mom is without pain and that she has implemented NEW rules for spontaneous dance breaks in Heaven.

If you’re like me, and you’re missing your loved one, today. Longing to see their face, or hear the laughter of their voice…

Can I encourage you with this truth? If your loved one accepted Christ, … you’ll see them again. Right now, there experiencing the joy of Heaven. A place where pain and tears are unpermitted.