I am REALLY enjoying the beautiful landscape of Arkansas. The trees are trimmed with beautiful colors of red, orange, and yellow. There is a nip in the air that feels refreshing to this desert loving girl. 🙂
I am also excited to share about my love for “mighty oaks” over on the blog of my friend Donna Bostick. No, I am not talking about oak trees (even though they are pretty), but about the spiritual oaks that pour into my life.
In fact, Donna’s own testimony of overcoming her childhood pain inspires me. She also drove a couple of hours to attend my mother’s memorial service last weekend-even though she never met my mom. I know she loves me.
She is an oak.
Tracy, All I can say is that it is an honor and privilege to have you in my life. Love you and remember that you are being lifted up in prayer.
His, Donna
Thank you Donna! (My mighty oak in Texas) I sure can feel those prayers during this new season. So thankful you got to meet Roxie. Love you 🙂
Tracy thank you for this blog to an old one who knows the value of sharing with the younger ones but sometimes needs a prod. This article touched my heart as I get ready to lead a group in the study of Greater. WOW! I was telling my husband last night that I know what I need to do, and how hard it is going to be because we are starting a huge remodeling project on our home because of foundation problems. I was a little down because I don’t like “change” in my home – I love my “cracked” tiles and my sinking countertops and I don’t want new – but the project starts the same week as Greater and I thought to myself how can I do it all (and yes my daughter is coming two weeks and every room in the house is having to be packed up for new flooring and carpeting – every closet and it all has to be packed next week). Anyway, with all that, holidays and subbing in the schools I was saying how can I give Greater 100%, and maybe I should not do it if I can’t give 100%, but then I know what God wants. Thank you today for this confirmation of what I need to be doing. I wanna be a “Mighty Oak” to my girls.
Debbie-thank you for reading and for your comment. I love God “prods” too. Blessings on your study of Greater! God will help you in this current season. Just show up, listen, hug, and the Holy Spirit will carry out the rest for His glory! Praising God for willing and beautiful “oaks” like you today 🙂
Tracy,
I love your You are an Oak! It is just so great.
I shared my thoughts on this over on Donna’s blog. It just touches my heart and I love visuals!
Please pop over ther and read what I wrote. SHECAT125
Blessings,
Catherine.
Catherine-thank you for commenting on both blogs. You are such an encouragement-thank you. I chose these particular examples to show that you do not have to be a Pastor or theologian to minister or serve others. Praying, listening, hugging, your time/presence are powerful ways to serve too. You can do this…God bless you as you continue to follow our AMAZING God!
Tracy, your post is a gracious gift to me this morning. How beautifully you have reflected the amazing role Donna has played as God has worked in your life. Given my being an older woman who truly adores all of Isaiah 61, you have feed me with spiritual food and tremendously encouraged my heart. I am so grateful for the opportunity to view this beautiful relationship, to gain a glimpse of your precious mother who is now with Jesus, and to receive this affirmation from God that we are moving in the right direction in several areas of ministry. Donna’s influence has reminded me to constantly encourage those to whom we would minister to keep their eyes on Jesus. Her wisdom to focus on that “audience of one” has richly blessed me as well. Thank you for blessing all of us with this marvelous post. I am confident your Bible study will help transform many women young and old and will inspire the older women to share while the younger women receive and then bless us with their growth in God.
Thank you Deanne for reading and for your comments. You bless and encourage me as well, thank you! Praying blessings on your ministry. Be faithful to just be “you” and I believe that the Holy Spirit will work through you to change lives to the glory of our AMAZING God. Have a blessed day 🙂
Tracy, once again you are allowing your Lord to shine through you and in you for all to hear and see. So very blessed by you being in my life! You are in my prayers too! Love you greatly!
TJ-yes I pray that God is glorified today as I share a part of my story. He keeps providing “oaks” for every season I find myself in-praise Him. Thank you for your continued prayers. It was wonderful to see you at Roxie’s celebration. My love to you as well 🙂
I love Oaks and once when I was asked to choose an object that I wanted to be like, I said an Oak Tree! Their roots go deep and their branches are outstretched. The trunks, covered with bark, have character and beauty. Thank you so much for your encouragement today. Following your blog now. 🙂 Love and Prayers!
Beth-I love your comment and desire to be like an oak. I want to be one too! I also welcome you to One Degree. I am honored to have you join us as we talk about God and His work/love/grace in our lives. Please feel free to leave comments or send prayer requests my way. God bless 🙂
Wow Tracy! You always so greatly inspire me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Praying for you!
Thank you Amy for reading and for commenting. Praising God for how He provides and uses others to encourage us. I thank you for your continued prayers and for attending my mother’s service. It was wonderful to see you and to meet your husband too. God bless 🙂
Tracy, beautiful woman of God! “We will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. We do not fear when heat comes; our leaves are always green. We have no worries in a year of drought and never fail to bear fruit.” {Jeremiah 17:8 NIV, emphasis mine} …Love out to you sister and all our other sisters here! ~ Love, Amy
Amy- thank you for sharing this amazing verse from Jeremiah 17. I am adding this one to my memory list and praying it over us today. Love to you as well 🙂
Oh my dear friend, I read with tears running down my face! I miss you, and I wish I could have been with you to celebrate the beautiful life of Foxy Roxie!! I love that woman, especially for the daughter(s) she raised!
You are a gift to me, and I treasure all that God has allowed between us. I’ll always treasure the day we started praying for your husband to show up. I remember the day you told me about Chad, and I knew God was at work. Your romance was so fun to watch, while at the same time we would pray your mom through treatments and maladies. I celebrated twice as much at your wedding that your mom was there and your dad could walk you down the aisle. It was magical. Who would have ever thought we would live together while Chad was deployed?
Tracy, you are a blessing to everyone around you, and I am so grateful to call you my friend. Thank you for this special blog post…and thank you for your friendship. We’ll keep doing this thing called LIFE together, because its better when we do it together. To God be the glory, great things He has done!!!
Love you…Tracy
Great things God has done indeed, Tracy! I am so glad that God “planted” you in my life. There are more memories yet to come…Love you too 🙂
Great things God has done indeed, Tracy! I am so glad that God “planted” you in my life. There are more memories yet to come…Love you too 🙂
Oh Tracy! I am in awe of your heart felt words! You express yourself eloquently, and use your gift of writing to inspire, encourage, and bring hope, as you glorify God. You have blessed me beyond measure to be included in your “oaks.” I have prayed for you, celebrated with you, rejoiced with you, grieved with you, and watched you grow strong and sturdy in the Lord. Thank you for the joy, honor, and privilege of walking with you on your journey, and being a small part of holding your hand along the way. Cheering You On, Susan