Who You Are by John Croyle

Who You Are: A Story of Second Chances is the story of  John Croyle, founder of Big Oak Ranch for Boys and Girls in Alabama. Croyle was an All-American defensive end at the University of Alabama with a promising future with the NFL. Yet, in 1974, he turned down a career that would have led to personal fame and fortune to fill the calling God had placed on his heart...to make a difference in the lives of young boys who were being abused and neglected and have the best Children's Home available. (The Big Oak Ranch for Girls was founded in 1988 and Westbrook Christian School in 1990.)

The book's title comes from the request he makes of each of the children when being introduced to someone: "Tell them who you are!"  Introducing oneself, with a firm handshake and looking the person in the eye, helps each child realize their own intrinsic value. Their worth is not based on their past or the circumstances that brought them to the ranch. Nor is it the perception of what the child (or anyone) believes God can or can’t do through each individual. Each child is a unique individual who is valued and loved.

Photo Credit: Kent Gidley

Who You Are is filled with memories of the 40 years of the Croyle family's ministry. John started this right after college, with no idea what he was beginning. He had 5 teenaged boys living with him, and a few months later married his high school sweetheart, Tee (Theresa) Smith. The book is filled with anecdotes, ranging from heartbreaking to humorous, but each points to the difference an individual can make in someone's life by following the plan they believe God has for them. There have been triumphs and failures, but Croyle's honesty with the reader is as transparent as his honesty with the children who are brought to live at Big Oak Ranch.
Each child who moves to one of the ranches is told 4 things during their initial meeting:
1. I love you.
2. I’ll never lie to you.
3. I’ll stick with you until you’re grown.
4. There are boundaries; don’t cross them.

Photo Credit: Kent Gidley

Croyle's adult children, Reagan Croyle Phillips and Brodie Croyle, are now taking on a large part of the responsibility and daily hands-on tasks of the Big Oak Ranch system, but they have the same love for these kids as their parents. This is definitely a family labor of love, including the extended family of those who have made Big Oak Ranch their home.

Photo Credit: Lifeway

I loved this book. Even though it is partially a 40 year stroll down "Memory Lane" with an emphasis on how and why Croyle chose to do this, there are lessons to be learned just as there are in any of his books (and I recommend them all!) that will speak to the reader. Whether you are in the position to mentor a child (and who isn't to some degree?) or if you just need a reminder of Who YOU Are and that you are valuable in the eyes of God, there is something to gain from reading it. I have heard John speak at a church event and on the radio several times. This book captures his style and personality so well. So, if you know him at all, you will recognize him. If you don't...you will after reading this.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Big Oak Ranch 40th Anniversary Video from Cam Video Productions on Vimeo.

John’s philosophy can be summed up in this statement: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house we lived in, the kind of car we drove or how much money we had in the bank, but the world may be different because you and I were important in the life of a child.”John’s philosophy can be summed up in this statement: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house we lived in, the kind of car we drove or how much money we had in the bank, but the world may be different because you and I were important in the life of a child.”For ways you can help, click on this link.

Big Oak Ranch website
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Raising A Princess by John Croyle

Raising a Princess: Eight Essential Virtues To Teach Your Daughter by John Croyle

So many little girls dream of being a princess, but former Alabama defensive back, John Croyle, has further defined exactly what qualities it takes to raise your little girl to be more than just a fairy tale princess, but to truly be a princess---a daughter of the King. Croyle, founder of the Big Oak Boys Ranch in Southside, AL, and Big Oak Girls Ranch in Springville, Alabama, uses the example found in Proverbs 31 to raise girls to become strong, courageous, compassionate young women.

Croyle, through the acronym P.R.I.N.C.E.S.S, says there are 8 virtues to remember and practice for raising your daughter.

Praiseworthiness – A princess understands she is worthy of praise simply because she is made in the image of God.

Righteousness – She lives according to God’s normal, not the world’s normal.

Initiative – A princess makes good things happen.

Nurture – God built into girls and women an instinct for nurture that boys and men simply don’t have in the same way.

Character – A girl of character knows what her deepest desires are and chooses accordingly.

Empowerment – Your princess needs to understand life isn’t just something that happens to her. She has the power to choose.

Servant-Heartedness – A princess finds purpose not in being served, but serving others.

Stability – As stability is provided for daughters, they will grow into the kind of people who help create stability for others.

Although the book is written primarily toward men, the book absolutely can be used by women, too. The importance is in raising your daughter to be the confident, compassionate person she is cable of becoming. Croyle and his wife, Tee, are the parents of a daughter and a son, but also have 40 years experience in helping to raise abused and neglected children and repair the damage done to them by others, usually their parents.

Each child who moves to one of the ranches is told 4 things during their initial meeting with "Mr. John":
1. I love you.
2. I’ll never lie to you. 
3. I’ll stick with you until you’re grown. 
4. There are boundaries; don’t cross them.

Building the trust of a child is just the initial step  From there, he and the house parents make the above principles a part of teaching a girl that she is of value to herself, to others, and to God. This book was filled with wisdom that a parent can use to instill confidence and build trust with their child. You won't raise a perfect child---no one can make that promise---but I have heard numerous success stories of children that had gone through unimaginable lives and these practical and godly principles made the difference. You will want to go through this one with a highlighter! It was all good, but several things just made me stop and want to soak in the words I had read. This is the perfect gift for anyone who will have a part in raising a little girl. 

100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT BIG OAK RANCH!!

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

PS: I have never read this book, The Two-Minute Drill to Manhood: A Proven Game Plan for Raising Sons, but several years ago I heard John preach on the topic before it became the book. Using the acronym M.A.N.H.O.O.D., I have never forgotten his words:
M - MASTER
A - ASK AND LISTEN
N - NEVER COMPROMISE
H - HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS
O - ONE PURPOSE
O - ONE BODY
D - DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP

If you are raising a son, get this book too!!

John Croyle was an All-American defensive end at the University of Alabama during a renowned title run under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Croyle declined a career in the National Football League and instead went on to found and develop the Big Oak Ranch for Boys. Over the next few decades they worked to start the Girls’ Ranch as well as the Westbrook Christian School. He and his wife, Tee, together have raised hundreds of young men and women, including their daughter and Big Oak child care director, Reagan Croyle Phillips, as well as their son and former NFL Quarterback, Brodie Croyle. For more information, please visit www.bigoak.org.