Baseline. Birth. Commencement. Launch. Genesis.

This beginning has been years in the making. That statement, while entirely true, likely sets you up to be let down. This beginning likely won’t be the exhilarating, mind-bending charge that leaves you begging for more. It will, however, be honest and my prayer is that you will come along for the ride. So what is this beginning? I’ve found myself day dreaming over the years about launching this blog. I always found myself hung up on the types of things I’d write. I have a gift of unzipped lips, and I’ve always loved words. Reading words, writing words, speaking words. While I am not a fan of awkward small talk, the introvert in me is cringing at the thought of it, I do love REAL talk. I can get real deep, real fast. That was the first hang up. I didn’t want this to turn into a shallow, awkward, small-talk opinion piece. I knew right away what I should call this collection of words: Oaks of Righteousness. While I don’t expect the name to sell on a bulk order of t-shirts (I love a good t-shirt) It’s meaning is deeply personal for me, and I knew a large part of this blog would have to be personal to really be ME. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of words on… myself. The second hang up. After months of deliberation, prayer and waiting, I realized the best use of my time would be sharing the stories of some of the people in my life. I have met some of the most resilient, joyful and kind, and GRITTY people. I love a good story, and I live to encourage and connect with the lonely. I have been blessed abundantly with friendships that are so rich and full of color, and more importantly, stories of beauty from ashes. These are the Oaks of Righteousness you will soon meet. I can’t wait to welcome you into my “living room” and introduce you to my family!

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.