"Trey Tuesday" - December 29, 2020

The End

No wait!

Yes, this is the end of Trey Tuesday devotionals as we know it, but God has paved the way for us to have a new beginning TODAY! (see below)

Trey Tuesday began on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 just days after Trey's diagnosis and the night before his first surgery.

THANK YOU for loving Trey and Jay and Rachel and Joe and Bella for the past 10 years in countless ways!

THANK YOU for walking beside each other every day, loving, praying, sharing, and supporting!

And THANK YOU for encouraging me with your kind words and appreciation!

Tonight is the end of Trey Tuesdays, but we still have TODAY!  TODAY is the name of my new devotional found on my website: https://aheartforhome.org/today-devotional/
I still plan on posting every Tuesday on my personal Facebook page and you can subscribe on the website.  I look forward to staying connected with you!

Tuesdays will always remind me of Trey, so let's continue our journey together TODAY!

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,”  Hebrews 3:13

"Trey Tuesday" - December 22, 2020

 Unprecedented

: having no precedent : novel, unexplained

adj. - never done or known before.

I'm not so sure we are living in the most unprecedented times......

A virgin birth

A fully satisfying sacrificial death

Hundreds of prophecies fulfilled

Fully God and fully man

Perfection

Sinless

Miracles

Defeating death

Eternal Life

Let's set every cultural distraction aside and savor the thrill of Hope as the weary world rejoices!  :)  Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!

"For to us a Child is born,

to us a Son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

 

"Trey Tuesday" - December 15, 2020

 2021

Everyone is ready to send 2020 packing and usher in a Happy New Year - 2021!

Don't you think that's a little bit funny? Blaming everything (bad) that happened this year on the cover of your calendar?

First of all, what about all the good things that happened this year?
Like my granddaughter being born!!!  :)

And finally having snow in winter!  

And all of us learning Zoom and Google Classrooms and MUCH, MUCH more!

Second of all, what about Wednesday!?
Tomorrow is a new day, much closer than a new year, but with all the same potential!

So, let's look forward with great expectation to all that God will do on Wednesday!  And Thursday!
And EVERY DAY! :)

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."  Psalm 90:14

"Trey Tuesday" - December 8, 2020

It's Personal

Cancer

Covid

Autism

Arthritis

Alzheimer's

Addiction

Each of these labels is well known.  You have probably heard that "people" experience them.

But until it gets personal we keep them at arm's length....not really feeling the pain and burden of those affected and the life change and battles they experience.

What happens when these diseases get personal?
How significant is the change when you attach a loved one's name?

Not just cancer.....but Our Trey had cancer!

Attach a name to each heartache and the tears begin to flow!

The prayers are intense!
Love overflows!

Praise the Lord we have the Ultimate Comfort from God:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,"  Isaiah 43:1-3

"Trey Tuesday" - December 1, 2020

 Morning People

I'm not naturally a morning person....at all.  My best sleep comes in the morning when I shoulddddddd be getting out of bed!  :)

Yet....through all this sickness and heartache, nights have been long....
I have actually been longing for morning to come.

The other night as I was praying myself to sleep, God reminded me of His presence and His peace and I actually couldn't wait to wake up the next morning to see what He would do!

Maybe I am a morning person after all!  :)

"Let the morning bring me Word of Your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in You.

Show me the way I should go,

for to You I entrust my life." Psalm 143:8

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:23

"Trey Tuesday" - November 24, 2020

 Not Just Thursday

Thanksgiving at your house may look a little different this year....Or rather, should I say....this Thursday at your house may look a little different this year.

What's the difference?

Thanksgiving is not just a Thursday in November. 

God calls us to be thankful all the time!

Our families and friends need us to give thanks to them often!

So, whatever your "Thursday" looks like this year, don't skip over giving thanks on Tuesday!  And Wednesday!  And every day!  :)

Psalm 100

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."  

"Trey Tuesday" - November 17, 2020

 A Sing-a-Long

What song are you singing today?

I have 3 songs that are on a loop in my brain and heart:

In Christ Alone

It is Well with My Soul

This is the Song that Never Ends....!!  :)

Which songs are most powerful to you today?

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."  Psalm 32:7

"Trey Tuesday" - November 10, 2020

Next!

Who is 29?!?  I AM!  :)

I LOVE when I pull the little ticket at the deli and it says the number 29!  Who wants to yell out, "I'm 72!??"  LOL!

Back on the playground, in line at the grocery store, or waiting at the DMV, we can't wait to be next!

As we have traveled together through almost 10 years of Trey Tuesdays, God is leading me to what is next.  I'm not 100% sure yet, but I know He is moving my ministry.  December 28, 2010 was our first prayer for Trey and his family and I thank God for you being on our journey!  My plan is to complete our 10 years together and then begin a new chapter in writing.

Until then, take a deep breath, don't worry about tomorrow, and let's accept God's best for us today!

"God again set a certain day, calling it "Today."  Hebrews 4:7

"Trey Tuesday" - November 3, 2020

 The Perfect Response

There are many hot topics these days.  Potential arguments and division lurk around every corner.  Don't get your blood pressure up!  Don't lose sleep! 

Think about these things:

"Whatever is true,

whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable

--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--
think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

"Trey Tuesday" - October 27, 2020

Mirror Mirror

Those who knew Trey loved him.  How could you not adore our charming and silly Young Warrior?!  Everyone had nice words - fun words - encouraging words - lots of prayers and intentional acts of kindness - for him!

What if we treated ourselves with as much kindness and grace as we treated our special boy?

How often do we realize that God sees each one of us - you, your in-laws, your boss, your nemesis, your rival - with MORE love than we shower on the cute and pleasant people in life?

Next time you look in a mirror, see yourself through God's eyes.  Greet His child with delight!

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

"Trey Tuesday" - October 20, 2020

Social Media

How's it working for you lately?

Maybe we never should have put those 2 words together!

It almost sounds like an oxymoron:

social:  companionship

media:  mass communication

I understand the mass communication part, but how can social media truly fill our need for companionship?

Reach out this week - set aside your device - connect socially.

Find companionship in person with one of your online friends.

"When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours."  Romans 1:12

"Trey Tuesday" - October 13, 2020

Trey's Girlfriends

One of Trey's best girlfriends is sad and struggling.

Another girlfriend just had serious surgery.

I'm not sure Trey ever met the young lady who just had surgery, but Trey considered every girl his girlfriend! <3

Do you love that large?  Do you love that unconditionally?
Do you believe the best in everyone?  Do you squeal and jump for joy when you see people?  (OK - maybe that last one is a stretch for most of us!) :)

Trey wasn't perfect, but he sure knew how to make someone feel good!

Will you please pray for Trey's 2 girlfriends tonight?
For health and speedy recoveries

For hope in a brighter tomorrow

For God's peace that passes understanding

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  I Corinthians 13:13

"Trey Tuesday" - October 6, 2020

 Worms!

Do you suffer from ear worms?  Not a hygiene issue, but when a pesky song gets stuck in your head and is played over and over and over and over again!  "This is the song that never ends.....it just goes on and on my friends...."  THAT kind of ear worm!  (FYI - There are lists of Top Ear Worms for each year - who knew?!?) :)

Other than catchy songs, bad commercials, and clever slogans, what goes through your mind over and over and over again each day?  Do you rehearse reminders for work?  Grocery lists?  Bills due?  Arguments?  Hurtful words?  Worries?

What about exchanging all those ear worms for the sweet song of God's Word?

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

"Trey Tuesday" - September 29, 2020

Rest in Hope

Feeling the need for rest these days?

It has been a longgggggg 6 months since our lives were turned upside down.

And each day continues to bring more change in countless, unpredictable ways.

How are you and your family doing?

Are you finding rest in God?  Or searching for rest in temporary fixes?

Some days I think I am farrrrrr too busy to even find rest anywhere!

I worry, I complain, I spin my wheels....but I then stop and consider Psalm 62:5.

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him."  Psalm 62:5

YES indeed!!!  In this world that promises everything and delivers nothing, our hope can only come from God alone.

Let's stop looking elsewhere..."find rest in God."

"Trey Tuesday" - September 22, 2020

 Seasons

What season is it anyway?  Frosty grass and it's still summer?
Masks at school and it's not even Halloween?

And football games without rowdy fans in the stands?

Maybe your season doesn't make sense right now, or maybe you don't even like this season!  I get it!  We gathered last weekend to honor some very special family members.  It is a season of celebrations for the Mitlos.  Yet as we gathered for our traditional cousins photo, Trey wasn't there.  It's not his season to be in our photos.  His memories are everywhere and in everyone, but God chose Trey to spend his seasons in Heaven with Him!  :)

What season are you in with your walk with God?  Budding springtime?  Abundant growth of summer?  Dropping leaves of blessings?  Or hunkering down for deep study together with someone?

Own your season - A valuable crop awaits!  :) 

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains."  James 5:7

"Trey Tuesday" - September 15, 2020

 Before You Brush Your Teeth

Tomorrow morning before you brush your teeth, consider the calling of the Lord:

"O LORD, in the morning You hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch."  Psalm 5:3

How do you start your day?  With great dread?  Or great expectation?

Is the Lord the first One to hear your voice?  Or do your children hear you "greet" them?

What kind of sacrifice do you plan on offering the Lord tomorrow morning?  Your social media usage?  Your earnings?  Your patience?  Your tongue?

Ok - As you go brush your teeth - consider that last Word.  The Lord hears your prayers.  He WILL listen.  Your job is to, "Watch".

"Trey Tuesday" - September 8, 2020

 Your Trey?

Trey was a cute, adorable, strong, sweet, charming little boy! (spoken by his adoring aunt!)

Throughout his battle with cancer, Trey was easy to love.  Easy to support and cheer.  It was fun to swoop in and offer distraction and gifts and fun for Trey and his siblings.

But what about your annoying neighbor who has a broken heart?
Or your family member who has a chronic bad attitude?

Or your coworker who has crippling arthritis?
They probably aren't very easy to love...maybe not even possible to like them!
But God's law of love is the same for everyone.  Just like His love for you!

So who is your Trey?  How can you love them a little better today?

"Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:31

"Trey Tuesday" - September 1, 2020

Super Size It!

Who orders just small fries these days?  Of course we need to Super Size it!  :)
Who wants to earn $5 an hour?  Definitely Super Size that!

And patience and rest and vacation time?  Super Size for sure!

What about other parts of your life?  Are you willing to Super Size them?
Your dreams?  Your hopes?  Your plans?  Your faith?  Your boldness for believing God?

Trey was called our Young Warrior.  Not our Young Cute Little Boy....our Young Warrior!
Super Size Fighter with great faith and a big smile!  :)

Are you living a God sized life these days?  

So big that all you can do is pray and watch and wait on God for results?
It's scary, but exhilarating!  And such a joy to brag on God for the GOD SIZED results!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20

"Trey Tuesday" - August 25, 2020

 A Visit to the Vineyard  

Jesus Himself said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" John 15:5

Notice He didn't say that He is the Vine and His disciples can choose to be branches of other vines depending on their preferences/comfort/need/wants?!?  

There is One Vine = Jesus

And the rest of us are branches = together.

So let's live like the messy, sweet, sticky, intertwined Vineyard of God that we are!

"If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

"Trey Tuesday" - August 18, 2020

 Fading Flowers

Beautiful summer flowers in their vase remind me of Trey...a once vibrant and bright little boy.  But as the blossoms fade away, I think of Trey leaving this earth and arriving in Heaven.

But that's not the end....what happens next?!

The fading flowers drop seeds which can grow in to new fields of flowers!  :)

And Trey left manyyyyyy seeds behind of God's life and light and love which continue to grow in each one of us!

What kinds of seeds are you leaving in your path?

"Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."  Psalm 126:6