Tracy H.

Today, Tracy shares with us thoughts on the Holy Spirit and how it empowers, the inspiration behind the jewelry she creates and designs, and how we each have some type of creativity because we were created by a creative God.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: Philippians 4:19 is written on a sticky note on my laptop. It reads, “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

I’ve been having a particularly challenging season in my personal and business life. I’ve leaned on this promise for a few months now, and God has not disappointed. Although my head has confidence that God keeps His promises, somehow, my heart can doubt. Sometimes, I’m surprised at how God meets needs and works everything together.

“Although my head has confidence that God keeps His promises, somehow, my heart can doubt.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: At the moment, I’m studying the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the believer. I’ve never had an in-depth study in this area and God has laid it on my heart and mind that now is the time. I’m listening to the lecture series “Who is the Holy Spirit?” at Ligonier Ministries and digging into the Word.

It has been a fascinating study.  My most recent takeaway is how the Spirit empowered Jesus in His humanity rather than Jesus acting in His own Godliness. The Spirit does the same for us, so that the Christian life [with] no emphasis on the Holy Spirit is a powerless one. I’m excited to see the impact of the study and to have a more balanced focus and devotion to the Trinity.

Profession: I am the owner and designer at Tracy Hibsman Studio. I design meaningful jewelry, inspired by Scripture, for your walk of faith. I really resonate with Exodus 31:3, where God endowed people with the skills needed to build and adorn the tabernacle.

I believe that God enables me to combine the skill of metalsmithing and knowledge of the Word to create tangible reminders of the intangible gifts He gives to all believers.

A one sentence bio of yourself: I’m a California girl in a Pennsylvania world, doing my best to serve God, love my family, and be all that God made me to be.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 15. To look at me from the outside, you would have thought I had my life together. I had really good grades, I was dating a starter on the varsity football team, I had nice clothes, and lots of friends. Inside, however, was a different story. I knew something was desperately wrong and missing from my life. I knew it wasn’t something that would be destructive, but I wasn’t sure what exactly it was. I thought I ‘had it all’.

I always believed there was a God, but never had any kind of education. God put several people in my path to teach me about who Jesus was and why I needed Him. It turns out, I thought I needed a ‘what’ in my life, but I really needed a ‘who’. I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life and he provided what was missing.  From that point on, He has guided me daily. He provides strength and direction.

“I thought I ‘had it all’.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Like many people, challenging times help me grow spiritually.  They cause me to run to God for answers and to understand which gifts I need to exercise. I’ve had a lot of challenges this year, from the loss of a family member, to relationship issues with a sister in Christ, to the desire to grow my business and encourage other believers. Through it all, God is there guiding me to leave behind practices like perfectionism, and building my character to be more like Christ. There’s nothing like a good pruning to make you grow!

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): I recently read the book Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff. Someone posted a picture of a page from the book on Instagram. It sounded so much like me that I decided to read the book. I thought it would be a book of tips and tricks. It’s really a book on how to kick perfectionism to the curb. Just what I needed. It taught me to make imperfect progress, stop trying to please other people, and set realistic goals.

Top three essentials:

1. Online Bible: I use blb.org because it goes where I go and has great tools.
2. My Family: They bring joy to my life and support me well.
3. Alone Time: I’m a real introvert and need some time by myself every day to recharge.

How did God speak to you recently? Recently, God really impressed on me that I needed a more balanced view of the Holy Spirit and His power in my life. I really need His power to accomplish what God wants me to do in my life. Without it, I’m operating in my own power and that’s not what God wants for me.

“I really need His power to accomplish what God wants me to do in my life. Without it, I’m operating in my own power and that’s not what God wants for me.”

Hobby: I love canning, gardening, reading non-fiction, and crafting. Right now it’s tomato juice canning season, so I’m spending lots of time with that. I make it for my husband, for the rest of the year. I’m also enjoying the harvest. Growing things really brings the agricultural references in the Bible come to life… literally!

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong:

1. Meditate on the Word every day. Choose a scripture and really pray over it, analyze it, and listen to what God says to you about applying it to your life.
2. View challenges in life as God working to mold your character and to help you grow in your spiritual life.
3. Surround yourself with an in-person group of like-minded Christians. There’s no substitute for this type of community. Online is great, but face-to-face is best. We weren’t made to be alone, but part of a community.

Favorite person in scripture? My favorite person in Scripture is Ruth. I love her story of commitment and perseverance. I also love how her story shows the kinsman redeemer as an example of what Christ did for us.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to learn that God made each of us with awesome talents and gifts. Everyone is creative in some way, because God is creative, and we are made in His image. He loves us, wants a deep relationship with us, and wants us all to be who He created us to be.

“Everyone is creative in some way, because God is creative, and we are made in His image.”

Favorite season? My favorites are spring and fall because they both feel like new beginnings. In the spring, all of creation comes alive and the planting season begins. Fall is back-to-school time and the start of a season of learning new things.

Favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love that it’s just about gratitude, food, and fun with family! We always invite college students and people who are away from their family to join us. We don’t start thinking about Christmas until we have had a time of gratitude for what we have already been given.

A dream you have? I dream of encouraging as many people as possible to remember the gifts God has given them through my business. My goal is to create jewelry that is a tangible reminder of the love, peace, and joy they possess. When people wear my jewelry, I dream that they will feel a deeper connection with God.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We always attend church together on Christmas Eve. It’s a great time to focus on the overwhelming gift of the Savior. After the service, we have antipasto and watch Christmas movies. This and Thanksgiving dinner are two of the highlights of the year.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? Really, Eve… Adam?

Thing you want to raise awareness about: I want to raise awareness about the efforts of Central Detroit Christian. They are a community development organization that is making a real impact. Lives are being changed through education, employment and economic development. I support CDC by donating 10% of all sales to the work of missionaries Nate and Lissy Gangwer. They do amazing work one person at a time.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I like to exercise at about 8. This helps wake me up and gets me ready for Bible study. Then it’s a review of goals for the day and I’m off.

What is on your nightstand? On my nightstand, I have an alarm clock that wakes me with light, a lamp, my phone, my Bible, and whatever book I’m reading.

Define Christianity in a sentence: Christianity is the reconciliation of man with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

For more Tracy:

Instagram & Pinterest:  @tracyhibsman

Facebook:  TracyHibsmanStudio

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO