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On How Our First World Hearts Are Really Starving

November 25, 2013 by Traci

(image credit)
I don’t think our first world hearts truly know the half of what gratitude really is.  We sit in our toasty homes, and fold our cute pinterest crafts, but do we really know the depths of what gratitude is?  

You and I will remain in a perpetual state of starvation, until our world is shaken from within, and we understand the desperate state of our world’s condition.

Across the world today, there are families huddled together in broken down shacks over a shared bowl of rice (for the week), having a feast.  Yes, a feast. Because feasting isn’t about the food, or the things we accumulate on Fridays dubbed black, but the feast happens within a heart that’s grateful.
  
I’m convinced that the truly rich are found across the globe; the ones in third-world conditions.  They are feasting in the dirt while we are starving at decked out tables full of glistening fine china.  

So how do we gain these grateful hearts of the rich?  How do we move past our selfish first-world problems and gain the heartbeat of those huddled in the dirt with smiles beaming from within? 

I think the only answer is,  we simply must go.  At some point in our life, we must go and travel beyond our selfish ways.  Just go. Until we go, and see, our minds and hearts simply cannot fully mesh and merge as one.   

So go.  Maybe it won’t be right now, but make room in your life to go on a mission trip to a third-world country.  You can close your eyes to the needs a world away, but when you step onto that foreign soil and witness the love and gratitude, your hearts will truly be full forever; and you will know what it means to be truly rich!

Some great opportunities for you and I to consider:
World Vision
Compassion International 
Faith, Hope & Love Infant Rescue
Mission Trips within your local church body
Consider foster care

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About Traci

I'm a curly-headed dreamer, currently living in Ashland, Ohio. I'm a photographer, and recently made my business official (LLC). I would love to talk to you about booking a photoshoot with me! View my photo gallery (click here) Check out my pricing and choose your package (click here) I love coffee, chocolate and potato chips.  I love a good … Read More...

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Friendship ❤️ #extrav2023 Friendship ❤️
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Blushing with your delicate, rosy hue, a gentle b Blushing with your delicate, rosy hue, 
a gentle breeze blows through fresh, new blooms.
Your time is fleeting, yet faithful,
a promise of beauty each spring.

Gifting petals that fall to the earth,
You are waiting for me to visit you.
Basking beneath warm shadows,
Deeply breathing in nature’s favorite perfume. 

A legacy of faithful promise,
Graceful, elegant, familiar and kind.
As the sun streams through branches,
Your reflection twinkles and twirls, 
Leaving your dance card upon my heart.

You whisper, come linger a little longer,
No need to be in such a rush.
Through storm clouds, torrential rain, 
and those picture perfect days,
You continue your steady climb toward the heavens.

Your limbs grow stronger, your roots deeper still.
Your humble beauty speaks for itself. 
No need to shout, nor beg for attention.
You hold the secrets of many who return year after year,
Who sit beneath your branches,
and find healing to bloom as well.

- Traci Little
TraciMichele.com
@traci_michele_photography
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - A "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn 

@traci_michele_photography @kingwoodcentergardens
What Jesus offers is nothing compared to what the What Jesus offers is nothing compared to what the world offers.  Read 1 John 2:15-17
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don’t trade God’s perfect timing for impatient substitutes. 

The counterfeit isn’t anything compared to the real deal. 

Surrender brings peace, joy, and rest. 

So trust fully to His perfect plan for your life. 

No more rushing ahead. 
No more backseat driving. 
No more comparing.
No more striving. 

Lay down the endless coveting of an illusion of perfection. 

He’s everything you’re longing for, 
striving after, and so much more. 

Open your hands and release your grip. 
Now you’re ready to receive His good 
and precious blessings.
In a time with so many voices, opinions and commen In a time with so many voices, opinions and commentaries, we can get overwhelmed by the noise. 

What should we believe?
What should we say?
Who's side are we on?

You can never go wrong with running to the feet of Jesus.  Get alone with God today, open His Word, and hear the words that matter above all else.
Walk in God's law Keep God's testimonies Seek Hi Walk in God's law 
Keep God's testimonies 
Seek Him with your whole heart 
Steadfastly keep His statues
Keep His commandments diligently 
Fix your eyes on His ways 
Praise Him with an upright heart 
Guard His Word 
Hide His Word in your heart 
Be Teachable 
Declare His ways with your mouth 
Meditate on His precepts 
Delight in God's statues
Ask to have your eyes open 
Ask for understanding and wisdom 
Find your strength in His Word 
Choose the way of faithfulness 
Set His ways before you 
Turn your eyes from worthless things 
Trust in His Word above all else 
Find comfort in His promises 
Make God's ways your heart's song 
Be friends with those who fear God
Value God's Word far more than riches 
Remember His faithfulness that endures through all generations 
His words are sweeter than honey 
His Word is a lamp to your feet 
His Word is a light to your path 
His testimonies are your heritage 
His testimonies are the joy of your heart 
He is your hiding place and shield 
Do what is just and right 
Hate every false way 
Ask the Lord to be gracious to you
Ask His face to shine on you 
Learn to be saddened by sin 
Daily put His promises to the test 
Peace is given to those who love His law
This world will offer you information, but true kn This world will offer you information, but true knowledge comes from God and His Word.  What are we filing our minds and hearts with? What we meditate on, will consume us and change us.  Let's makes sure we are being filled with truth.  Read Proverbs 2 today.  Look at all we gain from seeking after the knowledge of His Word :

Receive 
Treasure 
Listen 
Be Attentive 
Incline Your Heart 
Call out for insight 
Raise your voice for understanding 
Seek & Search 

-> then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God, righteousness and justice.

He is my shield 
He gives me abundant wisdom 
He guards my path and watches over me 
Wisdom will come in my heart 
Knowledge will be pleasant to my soul 
Discretion will watch over me 
Understanding will guard me 
Keeps me walking on the paths of righteousness
Hello! I'm Traci and I own Traci Michele Photograp Hello! I'm Traci and I own Traci Michele Photography, LLC.  I've always been passionate about photography and I decided to chase after my dream of becoming a photographer. 

I serve the Ashland, Richland County and surrounding areas of Ohio. 

My focus is on portrait / events / business branding photography.

#mansfieldohio #ashlandohio #woosterohio #photography #photographer #portraitphotography #brandingphotography 

@traci_michele_photography 
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