Stacey Thacker's Blog, page 3

Fear(less) Girl.

Fear has been bossing me around lately. The truth is, I’ve willingly let it happen. I’ve crouched under covers and cried hot tears. I grew fear, instead of faith. In fact, I invited it into my house and served it coffee. I made friends with it.

But my fearless God is not having it.

 

“In fervent prayer, we discover something: Our God is fearless. And because He is fearless, we can be fearless too.” Priscilla Shirer, Fervent p 113

And here is the thing. I know better. I tell other women what and who fear really is. I write about overcoming it boldly.

“Romans 8:32 comes to mind and it says, “ If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him?” (The Voice). Why would I ever need to worry or lack faith that he would go the ends of the world on my behalf? No, the Gospel reminds us that God gave it all to deliver us from the Enemy who is dead set on devouring our hearts. The Enemy has no true power over us. I don’t know about you, but when I call to mind this truth, it stirs up in me holy boldness. 

Dare I say boldness?

What is the alternative to boldness? We will crouch in fear. We will live devoured and destroyed.  When fear is on the warpath, I merely need to anchor my soul to the sacrifice of Jesus and plant myself firmly in the victory he has already won on my behalf.

We can’t fight losing battles anymore, sweet friends. They simply don’t exist. “

I let fear boss me around until I have become a shell of the girl Godhas called me to be. I have stumbled in the darkness and fog fear has left in its wake and started fighting battles already won by my bold savior Jesus.

This week, my friend Robin reminded me, “Stacey, you either believe God’s Word or you don’t.” In that moment I realized I was not living my belief. I was saying it. I was writing it. I just wasn’t living it.

And so, this is my wake up call. This is my battle cry to fear.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear

but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I cannot.

I will not.

Let fear have the last word.

My God is bigger than my biggest fear. And I’m going to live like I believe it.

I will fear(less). And I will pray.

I know two are better than one. And twelve would be even better. So, if you care to, let’s make this our joint battle cry. Let’s not allow fear to be the boss of us anymore. Leave a comment and I promise to pray for you. Maybe, you could pray for me too, and the woman who leaves a comment just before you.

xo,

Stacey

*This book by Priscilla Shirer is rocking my world today. I’m so grateful. You can find it here. (affiliate link)

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration is Everywhere – Creative Basics Course

Do you wish you could create beautiful social media graphics quickly and easily?

Are you frustrated spending so much time creating graphics using tools you barely understand?

My friend Crystal Stine has designed a 30 day course that teaches you how to create inspiriting graphics with easy to use tools!

Goodness, I love this girl! I am so happy to share this course with you! It’s an amazing course from a savvy social media and content creator. She hosts this course live at conferences all the time and now you have the opportunity to take it yourself… at home… in your pj’s… with chocolate if you’d like.

Here are just a couple things you will learn:

Where to find royalty free photos
Font and text treatment rules of thumb
How to use Canva, PicMonkey, and several of the most popular social content creation apps
… and by the end of it you’ll even create a free printable to offer your readers!

You will love it! So sign up now! The course begins on Monday, April 4th.

And because Crystal is as sweet as can be she is offering my readers $10 off! Use code STACEY at checkout for your discount!

Click here to view more details on the course.

Ready to buy? Click below!

A Good, Good Friday

When I first heard the song, “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin I could not sing it. The words would form in my mouth but they would not come out. Maybe these Fresh Out of Amazing words will explain why:

My family asked me to sing at Daddy’s funeral, and I couldn’t. No way. It is virtually impossible to sing when you are weeping. Do you know your throat actually closes up and you can’t sing? It’s true. Besides, the song was nowhere to be found. In the early days of grief, my worship pastor, Jon, said, “Don’t lose your song, Stacey.” How did he know I was so close to letting bitterness swallow up my song? I had no idea how to respond to Jon. I’m a worshipper. I lead worship. I love to sing. The trouble was, when I tried to sing after my daddy died, the lyrics got stuck in my throat. When that phone call came, I started swallowing song lyrics, and they were balm to my heart. Yet even today, singing about heaven stops me mid-note. But God had promised, “She will sing there.” His people came out of Egypt singing songs of deliverance, and the God who enabled those songs promised that this bitter place, this valley of Achor, would also be filled with a song. He had promised, and I was holding on to that promise with both hands. Quite frankly, though, the song in my heart was really more bitter than sweet.

Every time I sang about my Good Father, I couldn’t help think about my dad. But during those early days of my journey with loss and grief, God gave me a promise in his Word:

I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there (Hosea 2:15).

It came from a sweet blog reader who had been through her own hard days. I took that promise to heart. God has been faithful. And yes, a Good Father.

About a month ago as God would have it,  a friend of mine sent the words of Good, Good Father to my daughter who has been quite ill over the past year. I started sining it daily and instead of it getting stuck in my mouth, it became my valley of Achor song.

Today is Good Friday. Today also marks 2 years to the day my dad entered heaven. I sill miss him. I  miss him when I see someone at the store who looks like him, I miss when I need to be brave and really want to hear him say, “You got this.” I miss him interacting with my girls.  But, I am encouraged by this quote I read recently from Billy Graham:

“One day you will hear that Billy Graham has died.” He said, ‘Don’t believe it. On that day I will be more alive than I ever will be.”

My dad is more alive than he ever was because of our Good, Good Father and a Good, Good Friday when Jesus suffered and died for us.

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery,” Hebrews 2:14-15

Jesus through death destroyed the power death has over us. There is a song to sing. I guarantee you my dad is singing loudly today.

I’m singing, too.

The song has not been lost after all.

Looking Forward,

Stacey

What are You Still Holding On To?

I’m feeling a bit battered and bruised these days. There are many reasons, but when it comes down to it, I’m holding on to a few things I need to let go of. 

 

I am holding on to:

fear
weariness
good works
approval

Maybe you are too. I was reading today in the book of Hebrews, my new old best friend and I was reminded that God’s grace has already destroyed all those things. Why do I struggle so with them? I think it is because in this place my flesh must release its own will to the unseen hand of the Father. My faith must rest here. No more works. No more doing. But rest in his already done work.

“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” Hebrews 8:13

My heart is bending toward this truth today. I’m going to sit with it awhile.

xo,

Stacey

What I Wore

Happy Wednesday! Happy March. Spring is coming friends! I can feel it in the air. We had one more blast of cool air this week, but I do believe a new pair of sandals are in order to replace my fave boots that died a sad death last month! Happier thoughts…happier thoughts….

Here is What I Wore!

 

Left: Cardigan, tank, leggings (LOFT), Shoes (Target)

I grabbed this long cardigan with a leftover Christmas gift card. It is super soft and perfect for the weekend. I’m hoping I can wear it a few more times this spring, maybe with a pair of denim shorts? Maybe. Also, I really wanted a new Evy’s Tree Hoodie, but did not have the $$ for that investment right now. So, I used what I had and I love this one!

Center Left: Cardgian (Target), T-shirt (Marshals), Jeans (Edie Bauer), Shoes (Kohls)

All about the “When In Doubt Drink Coffee” shirt on Monday! Sometimes you have to dress what you are feeling, right? I love these boyfriend jeans, but I really need to replace them with a new pair. Any ideas where I can find a pair? Always on the hunt for good jeans.

Center Right: Jacket (Stitchfix), Shirt (Loft), Lace Tank (Grace&Lace), Jeans (American Eagle), Boots (Kohls), Cuff (Farmgirl Paints), Necklace (Origami Owl)

I love when layering works and it is cool enough to try! The Jacket has shoulder pads if you can believe it and I *think* they are about 10times smaller than the ones I wore in the 80’s. Thank goodness for that.

Right: Shirt (Loft), Jeans (American Eagle), Shoes (Target), Tassel Necklace (Fairtrade Friday)

So  yes, the maroon shirt and the navy blue shirt are the same and both from Loft. I happen to love this style. I have a similar top in cream. So easy to wear and dress up or down. Tell me you do the same thing?

***

Thanks for being awesome. I promised to be a What I Wore faithful this year, and then I went and skipped a few weeks on the blog. I did post on Instagram, so if you are not following me over there, just go here and fix that! Life around here has been crazy and hard.

But God? He is always with us. He is a Good, Good, Father.

And I do so love What I Wore. I’ll be back.

xo,

Stacey

 

Someone Who Inspires Me

(post contains affiliate links. when you click and shop I receive a small compensation to support my family and ministry at no extra cost to you. thank you!)

When I started blogging a few years ago, I was greatly inspired by Holley Gerth. Her words of encouragement spoke deeply to my heart! Every chance I had to meet her was bathed in sweet fellowship. She has always made a point to see me, speak truth over my life, and give me encouragement to keep writing. In fact she was the first person who told me I should write a book. Holley is the real deal! I’m so honored to call her friend!

Allume a few years ago.

 

@Raising Generations Today in October 2015

She has written some of my favorite books and this week added an important resources to her best selling book, “You’re Already Amazing”.  This new interactive guide will take your experience to a whole new level! It is also packed with video teaching from Holley herself!

You can find this at Dayspring and wherever books are sold.  To celebrate Dayspring has also put some of her other products on a flash sale for $5 each through Wed, March 2! Y’all, the mugs are my favorite!

Only $5 – super cute! 

Click here to shop and get more information on the sale and her NEW Amazing Life Growth Guide!

I would love to know, who inspires you?

xo,

Stacey

 

 

Just Click Away

So today, being is Leap Day. One “extra day” to do whatever we do for the glory of the Lord. What will you do with your day?

(cute magnets available @dayspring)

I’ve been thinking about an interview I saw with Mary Tyler Moore and her cast of friends. What was said of her was “She was so generous with lines. She would say, ‘You take this line, it sounds more like what your character would say.’ This had me thinking in my own life — who am I being generous with? What other mom, writer, blogger, friend, am I pushing to the front and saying ‘ You take this one.’ — I want to be generous like that.

So today, I’m going to point you elsewhere. As much as writing in this space is a gift and I love that you meet me here, I never want this platform to be be a stumbling block for you or me.

So, with all of my heart, please generously click away!

Prayers for Girls – my dear friend Teri Lynne has started a new monthly prayer challenge for mothers of girls. Her new site launches Monday, March 1.  If you are a girl mom, just add your name here. Join a growing community of praying moms.

The Happy Hour Podcast hosted by Jamie Ivey – this episode with Sally Lloyd Jones is worth listening to more than once. Writers, creatives, parents, people who love a good story go ahead and listen while you do dishes. Simply put it totally encouraged my heart. You know Sally right? She wrote this in my favorite Children’s Bible about God’s love for you: (image below found here)

A beautiful Book on The Gift Friendship: Dawn Camp sweetly pulled together some of the most beautiful words on friendship from some of my favorite people. If you look a little closely at the story shared by my friend Kristen Strong, you might notice the weeping hot mess of a girl she is talking about sounds vaguely familiar. That chat over cupcakes if forever imprinted on my heart. Grab one for you BFF today to remind her she is dear to you.

The First 5 App: The women of Proverbs 31 have created a new app and currently they are walking through Hebrews and Leviticus. Today is day one and I’m going to tell you, if you start your day with Jesus, it will bless your heart. I love this app and two of my four girls have downloaded it as well. It gives us a chance to talk about the Word together in a conversational and yet rich style. It is available on Google Play and iTunes. Find them here on #insta as well to light up your feed with Truth!

xo,

Stacey

P.S. See you real soon! Maybe, I’ll be back Wednesday with What I Wore?

 

 

 

 

 

Making Peace When You Just Can’t Fix It

Last week started with me dropping a dozen eggs on the cold tile floor of my kitchen. The rest of the week pretty much followed suit. And if I’m being entirely honest, I felt just as broken.

I had planned on this being a tough week. My daughter was scheduled for a brutal test on Thursday that required an entire day of preparation. She fasted. So did I. By evening I was tired, hungry, and cranky. She was facing another phase of prep that required her to drink something she was dead set against. My husband came home and sent me and the other girls to Chick Fil-A and told me to eat something. My fasting wasn’t doing any of us any good.

When I retuned I took over the mission at hand. I probably broke ever parenting rule in the book. Finally, with the firmness of drill sergeant I set the timer on my phone and the cup was emptied minute by minute. By the time bedtime rolled around we were both exhausted. She slept. I didn’t.

The next day was a mix of more emotions than I can possibly express. How can you put into words what it feels like to follow your child into a procedure room and watch as they put her to sleep. To step away from her with a gentle kiss on the hand is like jumping into a turbulent sea.

I found solace in a mediocre cup of coffee and the company of the only other person on earth who understood, my husband. And we waited.

I wrestled, too. You should know, that I’ve been here before. 

“Early one spring morning I found myself making the best of a chair beside my daughter Caroline’s hospital bed. She was sleeping; I was not. Instead, I was wrestling with God in my pit of despair. It felt like I was drowning while standing on dry ground. I had no eloquent words. No verses rose up from the hundreds I could have recited the day before. The only thing I could remember was the story of the Centurion who went to Jesus and begged healing for his servant. The centurion told Jesus that it wasn’t necessary for him to come to the house: “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). So, like a woman long ago and, I’m sure, countless since then, I grabbed hold of his holy hem and would not let go. Over and over I prayed it: Just say the word, Jesus” ”

A doctor’s diagnosis comes slowly. Or at least it comes much more slowly than moms and dads would like. As the puzzle pieces began to fit together and our eight-year-old endured just about every test you can imagine, we found some answers. Those answers came with treatment I was nervous to say yes to. They also came with a large dose of mommy guilt I had to battle, because how could I not have known? What kind of mother does not know this is happening right under her nose? I wrestled with that too. Maybe I still am.

But the doctor spoke the words I longed to hear. In my heart, though, it was really Jesus who confirmed it: “She is very sick, but she is going to be okay.” And something deep within this weary mom broke wide open after I had held my breath for hours that seemed like days. And Jesus held strong. Because what is truer in the moment than his promise to never leave us and his call to take courage in him? Nothing.” Fresh Out of Amazing, Chapter 7.

 

In the few months since that week, we have daily battled a mystery we can’t quite grasp. And we were reminded once again this week, we might never be able to fix it.  How do you look your girl in the eyes and tell her all the treatment, all the pills, all the food she has had to pass on, and all the tests have not proven helpful. She is only nine years old.

It breaks you. It broke me. An honestly, I just sat down and wept.

We took her to Panera and let her eat whatever she wanted. We didn’t tell her anything until the next day. She must have known because she started asking questions we knew we couldn’t avoid anymore. I think her response was better than mine. That has been the case more times than I care to admit.

So here I sit, trying to make peace with it all. Endurance is calling out to me from a few feet ahead and reminding me of the marathon ahead of us. I’m doing my level best not to lose heart. And I know what I’m supposed to do. I know the truth of his goodness. I know he is present with us. I know he holds no matter what I am feeling.

I know this, because I have been here and his faithfulness was not void:

“God is not surprised by midnight phone calls to rush our babies to the ER, the passing of his saints, or the world’s rages or quakes. Our God is the one thing we need in such times and always. He can handle his people’s questions whether they’re asked by prophets of old or moms worried sick over their babies. Author Angie Smith once said on her Instagram, “There is something beautiful about the wrestling nobody sees.” Is it possible God looked down and saw my ache, my desperation, and said, “Beautiful”? He bore witness to my wrestling no one saw. He didn’t hide from me; he held me.” – Fresh Out of Amazing, Chapter 7.

 

Tomorrow, he will hold again. When we take her for a new treatment we pray works this time. We will sit with her for the  three hours it is scheduled to take, trusting in the unseen hand of our good, good Father.

And he will hold.

Even if we can’t fix it.

xo,

Stacey

 

“…we celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance. Which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn to hope and anticipate God’s goodness.” Romans 5:3-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I Wore

Hey Wednesday friend! How are you? I am running about a day late…so this will be short and sweet! New around here? What I Wore was started by the adorable Lindsay at The Pleated Poppy. It is a daily challenge to get up and get dressed with a little thought and style. Take a picture and share it. Easy, right? Most days! I’ve been doing this for a couple of years and everywhere I go people ask me about it. I think it is because we all get up and put clothes on, why not try to be a tiny bit put together? I’m no fashion blogger. But I do love a good chat about cardigans and a great pair of shoes! I am so glad you are here!

Here is what I wore!

Left: Cardigan (LOFT), T-shirt (Gap), Jeans (American Eagle), Shoes (DSW), Necklace (Conference Swag)

I know, you are totally tired of the cardigan. Y’all can I confess I pulled it out of the laundry this week to wear it 2 more days. Yes. I did that. It is perfectly thin and wrap-able. Also my daughter was going to give this great Gap t-shirt away so I rescued it.

Middle: Jacket (Stitch Fix), Dress (LOFT), Boots (gift), Necklace (Kory Lane), Cuff (Farmgirl Paints).

I have never worn this dress with the brown boots and I have to say…in love with it. I like that it dresses it down a bit. And I am constantly happy with this dress. It works in so many ways! Do you have a go-to black dress? This was not cheap (about $100) but so worth it!

Right: Cardigan (LOfT), Jeans (AE), Shirt (Allume Conference T), Shoes (Kohls), Cuff (same)

This is  my dress down take the kids to school outfit. The colder weather has given way to warmer temps so this will be a standard look for me – with different t’shirts and cardigans. There are so many to choose from. Also, the Converse? Loving still.

I did order a new fun blanket scarf:

It is so soft! I love it. But, with the weather warmer I may not actually be able to wear it until next year! Still, it was on sale and I thought I would grab it! You can find it at

*Cents of Style – they have so many to choose from!

Have a great week!

xo,

Stacey

*affiliate link

What I Wore

Hey there Wednesday friends. It is almost 8AM and I’m already running behind. Plus it is raining. I think that means extra coffee today, don’t you?

Here is what I wore this week!

Left: Top (Target), Jeans (American Eagle), Shoes (Khols)

I love this top from Target. I had been looking for stripes and came home with this one in October. It has a cute half-zip in the back. It really is a great basic!

Left Center: Cardigan (Loft), Flannel (Target), Jeans (AE), Shoes (Kohls)

Once again it was FREEZING here. I layered and layered because who has gloves and warm clothes when you live in Florida?

Right Center: Jacket (Boutique in Greenville, SC), Shirt (Loft), Jeans (AE) Boots (Kohl).

This jacket though….I bought on a whim when I was at Allume in 2014. I never do that, but it was too cute to pass up. I also don’t get to wear it much because it is rarely cool enough. Sunday I wore it with great joy!

Right: Cardigan (Target), Shirt (Loft), Cami (Grace and Lace), Jeans (AE), Boots (Gift)

Again with the layers. I just love this tunic with the lace cami underneath. And you know how I feel about the boots.

 

Have a super great day my friend!

xo,

Stacey

FYI: Farmgirl Paints is only open until Friday of this week. Grab a cuff my friend. My cuffs are my favorite.