“Can I help you please,” said the lady behind the counter in a rather annoyed manner, making obvious her displeasure for the man that was in front of me.  You would have thought that he was rude or impatient, but all he did was walk away before receiving his change.  She shook her head and scrunched her face up because he couldn’t hear her yelling after him.  Wow, I feel so warm and fuzzy to be received as her next customer.  Could you please show me the same hospitality that you showed that older gentleman?

Sadly, our hearts are not naturally inclined to want to serve people other than ourselves, and to serve with joy is an even tougher order.  I know a woman in our midst that is an AMAZING servant filled with joy!  That special lady is know in our household as Aunt Tracy, (a.k.a. Tracy Guyer).  Tracy is significant to me in a number of ways, but I want to highlight her loving heart to serve.  She is an example of loyalty–always faithful to step in and help me with my children.  She is the reason Doug and I can go out on dates as often as we do because she just wants to serve us, receiving no payment in return.  She is the reason my son just fulfilled one of his childhood desires–Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday.  She is the reason I can support my husband during special events like onesingleday.

We don’t easily give out special titles to people who are not  part of our family, but Tracy’s heart for my children has been so precious and meaningful that it was a no-brainer.  Tracy is always asking me how she can help me, and begs me to take my kids for any and all babysitting needs.  She gets giddy with excitement when things step up a notch to a sleepover.  I cannot express what this means to me as a mom, knowing that she is watching over them when I am unable to.  She is wise and experienced, fun and adventurous, patient and merciful.  You know, we might as well call her Mary Poppins–“practically perfect in every way!”

The even more amazing thing about Tracy is that I know she serves way more people than just me.  She has a sharp eye that looks for the needs around her, and willingly jumps to them with both feet.  When people see me somewhere without my children, they usually ask who has my children.  More often than not, I tell them that it is good old Tracy–what would I do without her.

Christ came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  Tracy follows her Savior closely in her life and service to God’s people.

I love you dear friend and so do my children.  Thank you for all that you do for the families at Crossway.