One Degree launched one year ago. I am in awe.
Happy 1st birthday ODM! Image courtesy of: Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net
One year ago my prayers went something like this:
Who am I Lord, to write about you? To share what you are teaching me with others? Ah yes– I am Your forgiven, redeemed, and beloved daughter. THIS is who I truly am.
You know that writing is a challenge for me. I anxiously trust that Your Spirit will help me. I am overwhelmed, but I love You too much NOT to try this…
But what if no one reads or comments? What if criticism crushes me? What if this is more MY will than YOURS for me in this season?
What am I doing?
I am still sitting in front of a pixel canvas
There are days I stare at the screen and feel overwhelmed. I still wonder what I am doing. {smile} Joy and peace have dulled my fear.
Because:
- God is bigger than “what ifs.”
- God encouraged when the criticism came.
- God remains bigger then the criticism yet to come.
- God convicts when I mistake His Glory for mine.
And because:
- You joined me here and commented.
- You shared your struggles and your praises.
- You offered your prayer requests in trust.
- You prayed for and encouraged my own heart. Thank you.
Going back to the beginning
On February 13, 2012, I posted my first blog post. Here is an excerpt from that post:
“We have no idea what the days before us will hold. Some of them will make sense and others will not. On some days our hearts will be joyful, and on others they may be broken. No matter what unfolds, both of us will do one thing: change.
‘And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.’
~2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV, emphasis mine
In my opinion, the process of becoming more like Jesus Christ can be just as mysterious as the 2 Corinthians verse I just quoted. Sensing our transformation in Him (our one degrees) can be challenging at times. We who have received Jesus Christ as Savior need encouragement as the change happens. This is why I am here. I am writing to you because I believe each day you encounter provides a chance for freedom to be found, change to be embraced, and glory to be seen. I don’t want you to miss out! I believe what you choose to do with your individual days matters.”
Over the past year, I’ve shared how microwaves, a screaming toddler, an antler hat rack, people’s backsides, Lightening McQueen, moving boxes, and a pair of yellow flip flops provided me with opportunities to find freedom, embrace change, and behold God’s glory.
God has changed me over the past year, and He has changed you too. I still believe that our days matter, and that what we do with them matters. I want you to notice and rejoice over your one degrees with God. Have you noticed them yet?
I truly appreciate YOU,
Let’s celebrate with another GIVEAWAY!
I found these fabulous journals at iloveitall.etsy.com
Because I am grateful for YOU, I will be giving away one of these AMAZING 2013 Grateful journals. I bought one from the lovely Monica on Etsy (iloveitall.etsy.com). To enter, simply leave a comment below and tell me one thing you are grateful for. Earn another chance to win by leaving what you are grateful for AND one example of how you “found freedom, embraced change, or beheld God’s glory” over the past year. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, February 12th!
Loving your blog. Hard to believe it has been a year already. I’m grateful for my family. They have been a huge support the last year.
Hi Emily! I know time is flying by. Family support is indeed a blessing. Give Mr. Noah a hug from me 🙂
Congrats and happy blogaversary, sweet Tracy! I love your blog, your heart, your… Well everything about you!
I’m grateful for our friendship. For rainy Thursdays. For the final countdown days of pregnancy when the biggest thing on my list is to REST. I could go on all day 🙂
Over the last year, I’ve found freedom AND embraced change AND beheld Gods glory by allowing Him to shape me, break me, mold me from a woman who is independent in and of herself to a minister that depends on Him for everything. (Still a work in progress, of course.)
Love you… And keep pressing forward! God is soooo pleased with you!
Thank you Sharita. I am excited to meet Little Patriot! Love you too sister and thank you for cheering me onward. Go Cats 🙂
What a great milestone! Love your heart and the things you share here. Keep on keepin’ on 🙂
Will do Erin! Thank you for joining me here. I appreciate you 🙂
Once again, our Precious Lord has allowed you to shine forth for HIM! I am so very thankful for the life that our Lord has Blessed me with! For each and every minute even in the difficult days as well as His Joy filled days! Keep on keepin on for His Glory my dear sister! Blessings to you and your family, prayers lifted for all of you!
Thank you Terry! I appreciate you walking with me and for praying for our family. It’s been quite a year. God bless 🙂
I am grateful that God brought you into my son Chad’s life and into our family and for those precious grandchildren of mine that I utterly adore!! God has blessed your writing. It touches my heart and the hearts of so many – to God be the glory. I can’t wait to see what God brings the way of One Degree Ministries this next year. Happy Birthday! Love you.
Yay my awesome Mother in law commented!!! 🙂 Debbie-I am grateful that you raised an awesome man who chose me to be his bride! This ministry wouldn’t be possible without Chad, so your influence and wisdom have left their mark on him. So you also play a huge part in One Degree- be blessed. 🙂 Love you too.
I am so glad that Erin connected us and I have the privilege of getting to know you! You rock. And I’m not just saying that.
I am thankful we connected too. You rock more 🙂
Beautiful! Glad we collided into one another in the blogging world. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you Eileen, I am glad God crossed our paths too. His timing was perfect, wasn’t it?
Happy first blog birthday, sweet girl! Your words have blessed me over and over throughout the year and I am grateful for your friendship. Thanks for your courage and continued obedience to the call on your heart.
2012 was an incredible year of growth. God’s planted me in the book of Jeremiah since July. The biggest lesson is “Stand! Get ready. Pick up your sword and WATCH what (God) does all around you.” NOTHING is accomplished in my own power, but soley in God’s power. His glory shines when we let Him do the work.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn-I appreciate you walking with me this year. I am thankful that I found your blog and for how you challenge and encourage me. I second that it is “soley in God’s power.” His glory is shining through you sister. Keep writing!
I love you Tracy, and the encouragement and truth you always put forth. I’m praising our great God for what He has done in both of us this past year! Happy Friday friend! ~ Love, Amy
Amy-we have kept God plenty busy 🙂 So thankful for His patience and grace. Thanks for walking with me dear friend.
Wow such an awesome blog!
I am so grateful for my family and especially my husband?
Hi Mandy, I am so glad you joined us today. I love your email address– tractors rock 🙂 (I am from Kansas, hence why I believe this) Thank you for sharing what you are grateful for. I entered you in the drawing!
Awww! Thank you Tracy, I am a 5th generation farmer on my family’s farm so it just kind of fits;)
That’s awesome Mandy! Love it 🙂