Friday, April 3, 2009

Divine Appointments

Have you ever had the privilege of meeting (in person) a blog friend? I know a number of you met through conferences or events such as She Speaks or the Siesta Fiesta. Others have planned special trips to meet a blog friend for lunch, for a day, or even a weekend together. While I’ve been privileged to speak to a few of my blog friends by e-mail and telephone, I have yet to meet any of them personally. This week, however, God provided a special opportunity …a “next best thing” if you will.

My son, Brennan is currently traveling with a team of students from his college. They are conducting week-long Christian drama seminars with high schools in various parts of the country. This week finds him at the high school attended by the son of a blog friend…Elaine of Peace for the Journey! On Monday, he met her son, Colton. Yesterday, he met her. She sent me a precious e-mail and then this:

My immediate response…tears. There was something so beautiful in the way God’s hand allowed for such a meeting. The sight of a friend and fellow Mom who has become quite dear to me here in blogworld, sharing a moment and showing love to my sweet boy touched me so. Tom and I had just spoken to him by phone the night before and we’re both missing him badly right now. It's been nearly two months since we last saw him and that's simply too long!

About a year ago, I met Elaine (via her blog). We soon realized we shared a number of commonalities. Her oldest son, Nick is Brennan’s age, which meant she and I had walked simultaneously the very difficult path of letting go of our firstborns. She too was from Kentucky. In fact, she grew up in the little town of Wilmore, home of the college Brennan attended last year. Not only was it her college as well, her Dad was (and remains) a professor at the associated seminary. Her Mom for many years, was the seminary registrar. She told me that among other things, she and Brennan enjoyed chatting about Wilmore. = )

Brennan has heard me talk about Elaine on a number of occasions. Many of her posts have impacted me and my walk with the Lord. She is not only an extremely gifted writer, the words that flow from her pen are truly anointed. I have often shared her posts with him (and others). I invite you to take a moment to visit her, too. Not only do I trust you’ll be blessed, I suspect you’ll go back again and again. (Thank you again, dear Elaine for spending a few moments with my boy and for sharing them with me. Hoping one day I'll get to meet you, too!)

Constantly amazed by God’s hand,
and the tie that binds us all…
Tracy

9 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

You all...

He is as precious in person as he looks in the picture! I went by to pick up my kids from school yesterday and purposefully arrived a few minutes early to seek him out. When I entered the gymnasium, he was the first one I locked eyes with...I motioned him over and asked if he was in fact, Brennan. We hugged and chatted as if he were my own son. I saw a ton of his mother written all over his face, but more importantly, I saw of ton of our Jesus written all over his heart.

Here's a young man, passionate about his life, his upcoming marriage, his education, and his God! His depth exceeded his age, and I feel privileged to have made the connection.

Friends, raising Godly kids is not only possible, it's probable when done so through the fear and admonition of the Lord. Nothing, and I mean nothing, blesses my heart more than to see young people take to their God with a heart and a passion that I know will stay with them for the rest of their days.

Tracy, thanks for sharing Brennan with the world. He is doing and will continue to do mighty things for the kingdom...of that I am SURE!

Sorry the picture wasn't better. Hope to get some tonight.

peace~elaine

Paula V said...

How wonderful. A God-thing for sure!

Just a little something from Judy said...

How fascinating this story was that you shared today. I like how you closed with "constantly amazed by God's hand, and the tie that binds us all..." So true! I look forward to meeting you someday too. Hope you have a good weekend!

Tricia said...

What a wonderful blessing that was! Thanks so much for sharing!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings!

Special K said...

How wonderful for you and your friend...I'll go by for a visit at her blog! Your son is a handsome young man!

I have met 2 of my online friends...one lives very near where I grew up and my dad still lives...and the other lives in Chicago and the opportunity presented itself and we went! Both meetings were amazing and truly wonderful!

Krista said...

That is an amazing story. God is wonderful! I enjoy your blog.

Hey, stop by and see my new blog look. It's really cute!

Hope you have a weekend full of God's richest blessings!

Becky said...

Aww, what a sweet surprise to get to see an unexpected photo of your boy...and all those sweet things Elaine had to say about him.

What a treasure it is to have dear Christian friends, and especially to be the parents of wise young people that have chosen to give themselves fully to the Lord.

You're abounding in blessings, my friend.

Joyful said...

What a special "Divine Appointment". The 'next best thing' for me right now is seeing her pic too! Although, the Lord did give Elaine and I a "Divine Appointment" last summer and you can read about that here if you wish: http://princessjoyful.blogspot.com/2008/07/his-peace-for-journey.html

Have a great weekend,
Joy

Leaon Mary said...

Boy oh boy
do I have
TEARS fillin MY eyes!
God's good!