Hillsong Halloween

On Halloween night, we traveled to Phoenix to see a concert featuring the band Hillsong. This was kind of a risk because we still have a 10 year old that loves trick-or-treating and might not enjoy the music as much as he would the candy, but we decided it was something we were going to do as a family! Of course we start off our trip bickering and biting at each other, and I think, “Oh great this should be fun. What a stupendous way to begin our ‘Bonding Time’!” I immediately question if this was a good idea or not and hope that we can pull it together!

“Lord, calm my anxious spirit! Help me to relax and enjoy this time with my husband and kids! Change my heart. Change my attitude. Help me not kill anyone.” (That’s my go-to prayer a dozen trillion times a day)

As the lights dimmed and the music begin to play, I was OVERWHELMED by a sense of rightness…It is well with my soul! Before the first song finished, I was quietly praying over each of my kids that they would let the words of tonight pierce their hearts and they would follow Jesus the rest of their lives. That they will always know they ARE LOVED! I prayed my husband would find refuge in the songs and his heart would overflow with the praise of God’s awesomeness. I wasn’t singing along because the music was a backdrop to my conversation with God and I knew we were meant to be here!

At this point Bryan looked at me and noticed I wasn’t as involved in the concert as I usually am. He knows I love Hillsong and I am a handraiser, jumper, mover and shaker in an awkward- I-don’t-care-kind-of-way, when the spirit moves me with some music!! “Kimberley, are you okay? Can you see? Do you need more room?” Nope, I am good…it is well with my soul!

Over the next two hours I experienced God’s glory shine so brightly consuming the darkness and filling the room with his Holy Spirit offering hope, joy, life, freedom, redemption, forgiveness, and most of all LOVE! Words cannot adequately describe watching over 3500 people with their hands in the air worshipping Jesus, shouting out praises to our Savior, the King of Kings, and the Creator of life!

If that wasn’t enough I got a precious gift, the BLESSING of watching my children connect with Jesus. I saw my son jumping up and down shouting out that Jesus is Lord. I saw my reserved daughter singing all the words of songs that were impressing upon her heart who is King. After my 10 year old woke up (yes he slept through some of the loudest parts) he told me that the book that was passed out he was going to give it to his friend’s mom that didn’t know Jesus and write a special note in it…....I wasn’t proud of them! Not even close. That puts the focus on me like I am doing something right! NO I WAS TRULY HUMBLED because it wasn’t about being a good or bad parent it was about seeing HOW AMAZING GOD is and getting a chance to glimpse Him at work through my kids. It is well with my soul!!

Without a shadow of a doubt I know we were supposed to be at that concert, on that night, with those people, no matter the obstacles, no matter the rough start, no matter the anxiety, no matter what we gave up to get there….because God was reminding me I GOT THIS! I AM!

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor 4:6

I Get Knocked Down!

A few years ago I told my husband that one of my theme songs for my life was, "I Get Knocked Down But I Get Up Again." He looked at me and said, "That's nice Kimberley because that is not the name of the song. It's called Tubthumping and the whole song is about getting drunk."

Oh...well.... I must have missed that, what a dumb name! But I think it's really catchy and it just speaks to me.

In my head, I would literally chant over and over again, "I get knocked down but I get up again you're never gonna keep me down! I get knocked down but I get up again you're never gonna keep me down!"

Because life is hard. Really hard. It's easy to  feel knocked down a lot! Relationships, finances, family drama, work problems, house or car repairs, paying for college, saving for retirement, medical bills, the list is endless. The minute you seem to catch your breath something can come and blow you over again! Give you a 1, 2 PUNCH! For me, growing up in a dysfunctional family was difficult. Being a teenager without much guidance and dating the wrong guys did a number on my self-esteem. Getting through college without any financial support was tough. Making a lot of dumb decisions in my young adult years made me face some not so pretty consequences. Losing my grandma and my best friend in one year was life altering. Getting into a car accident, twice, that took away my military career seemed unfair beyond belief. So many times I felt like I'm done! I can't take much more. There has to be something else to life than just this! How many times can a person get knocked down? It was tiring and lonely. But I knew, I felt it in the depths of my soul, that no matter what I would get back up again. I just couldn't put my finger on the why.

After I started going to church and learning about God, I realized what the why was. I knew then that I didn't have to be alone. The fight wasn't me against the world. I finally understood that there is more to life than just surviving the punches. He's called Jesus! The world  would not keep me down. My past would not keep me down. My problems were not going to keep me down. When I get knocked around, instead of feeling defeated I know that God has a plan for my life. I know that I am loved beyond anything I could ever imagine! Not one hurt goes unnoticed. He doesn't promise that this life will be easy, fair, without issues, or all about my comfort. What He does promise is that He is preparing a home for me where I can spend eternity singing and dancing with him. He does promise me that when life gets too much to handle because it most certainly will, He will pick me up and carry me the rest of the way!

So although that song has a very silly name and the words were written in a different context, I choose to sing that chorus and put my spin on it, " I get knocked down and I get up again nothing is gonna keep me down because I have an army of angels on my side and a Savior who promises to be my shelter from the storms!"

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalms 42:1-3

Front Row Seats!

A few months ago, I had the honor and privilege of baptizing a friend of mine. When he first asked, I thought he texted the wrong person! Are you sure you meant me? It kind of caught me off guard because I kept thinking I am not a pastor, I don't know how to do this really. It seems too colossal to screw up!

After my initial freak out, I realized this request WRECKED me! I couldn't stop crying all day. I was overwhelmed with the bigness of God working through this young man. I was in awe of how God pursued him relentlessly, knowing He had plans for him. I was also extremely grateful that God gave me the chance to have front row seats and be a small part of Ricky's journey.

It was an experience I will never forget.

That night when I went to bed I looked over at Bryan and cried, "I want everyone to have front row seats! I wish they could experience something like I did today because it was such a blessing! I want everyone to 'get' that investing in the lives of others is so worth it because you end up being blessed ten-fold! I know that sometimes it's hard, time consuming, messy, and even hurtful to walk alongside people, but if everyone could even catch a glimpse of what it's like to see God's amazing works through others they would all want to be a part! It's not just about being able to baptize others. It's being a part of their weddings, graduations, funerals, baby showers, housewarmings, sports events, piano recitals, and life in general. It's watching people take baby steps, falling down, helping them get back up, dusting them off, and pointing them in the right direction. It's seeing them own their relationship with Jesus, use their gifts and talents to give back to others, go on mission trips, teach in church, lead worship, grow small groups, have good marriages, and be lights in the world!"

"Bryan, why doesn't everyone want to do this? Don't they see? The last 20 years with Jesus and loving on people has been like having front row seats to the most epic movie ever! I can't imagine doing it differently! It's not because we are great people it's because we serve A GREAT GOD!" 

My husband looks at me to see if I am finished with my exuberant speech and simply says, "Kimberley, many think the cost is too high."

Huh? NO! I will not take that answer anymore. When I think of the cost I think of the cross...I am so glad Jesus didn't look at me and think, "Hmmm this one really is kind of a screw up. She is drama, has a lot of baggage, and she keeps making the same dumb mistakes. This girl is broken; it will take too much work. She is not worth it." I will continue to shout it and I am a LOUD girl, that loving on others IS WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR! This is not something good Christians should do, it should be WHO WE ARE! God is inviting us to sit in the front row seats cheering people on in His name!

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

Jen and Matt's Story

I want to give you a little background on Jen and Matt's story. Why the two of them standing up here getting married today is a huge blessing and a journey that has an overall theme of TRUST.  Their story is not flashy or dramatic. It wasn’t love at first sight and it didn't happen overnight. But is one filled with hope and awe of how God works in the lives of people who trust him.

Jen and Matt became friends 4 years ago at a Bible study. A few weeks later, Jen came to Bryan and I and said, "Matt told me he likes me, but I just want to be friends. What do I do?" We told her she had to be honest and tell him the truth. Then Matt came to us and said, "I really like Jen but she just wants to be friends. What do I do?" We told him, "There is not much you can do. But by the way are you in the right space to be dating her? Can you lead her spiritually? Is this the right time?"

After this they grew apart. Feelings got hurt. One wanted a relationship the other wanted to just be good friends. Now they were neither. We encouraged both of them to work on becoming the man and woman God wanted them to be. And to TRUST HIM. 

Fast-forward a year.  Matt and Jen started hanging out again. And lo and behold, Matt still likes Jen more than a friend. And guess what? Jen still just wants to be friends. Matt comes to us and says, "What do I do? I really feel like she is the one for me?" Again we tell him, there is not much you can do she is just not there yet. You are going to have to TRUST GOD with this.

Meanwhile, Jen is wondering if God has forgotten about her. She has followed Him a long time and be pretty obedient with her life, where is her prince charming? We tell her you have to TRUST HIM. He's got this.

At this point, most guys would have probably given up, cut their losses. What does Matt do? He stays her friend. Which was not easy, and often pretty painful. But he keeps TRUSTING in God. That December he sits in my living room and asks me, “Kimberley, what do I do? I really feel in my heart that Jen is the one for me. I love hanging out with her and just being around her. But this is hard. It’s been three years."

I said to him, "Matt, if you believe she is the one. You have to trust God to place that on her heart. You can either quit and walk away and no one would blame you or you wait. And trust Him."

At this point Bryan and I are silently rooting for Matt. Because in the last 3 years Matt has definitely changed. He seems happier and his spirit is lighter. You can see that he takes his relationship with God a little more serious and has grown so much in his walk with Jesus. He has proven to be trustworthy, steadfast, responsible, and treats Jen great!

4 months later, Matt went away for 10 days to Washington. On the day he was to come home, Jen comes over to talk to us at 10 at night. She says, "I really have missed Matt being gone. I mean I have missed, missed him like as in more than a friend miss him."

We asked her what was different and what she was she going to do about it?

She said he is my best friend and I love spending time with him. But she was scared and didn’t want to make things awkward or lose him if he didn’t like her anymore. 

We told her she had two choices, do nothing and just let it be or take a risk and tell him the truth about her feelings. The worst that could happen is he tells you no, but then you have been telling him that for years! You have to Trust God on this.

She text me that night and said, he didn’t say no!

 A few weeks into their relationship, I might have emailed Matt to respectfully let him know what some of the expectations were for the guy who wants Jen’s heart might be:

Does "this guy" recognize her beauty on the inside and out? Will he tell her she is beautiful often and show her by the way her treats her?

Will he push her outside of her comfort zone so she can become the woman of God she was created to be?

Will he teach her to stand up for herself and never let her hide in a closet again because she is worth more?

Will he lead her spiritually so she can continue to grow in Christ?

Will he know she is sensitive and not make her feel dumb when she cries, but yet won't let her emotions rule?

Will he know that she loves spending time helping others and try not to ever isolate her?

Will he fight for her even when she is being ridiculous because he is on her team no matter what?

Will he not be afraid of conflict and push back if he needs to because she can't win all the time? Many times growth happens in the fire.

Will he realize that she is ONE OF A KIND and important to so many?

AGAIN! MOST GUYS WOULD HAVE RUN AWAY at this point! Here was Matt's response:

I love that list. I love that God has spent the last few years preparing her and I both for the kind of relationship He wants us to have.  

It's implied that I am working towards marriage with her and even though there have been hiccups over the last couple of years; it's what I've wanted for a very long time. I am continually working on my character and growth and I'm passionate about living that out alongside Jen. I want to reassure you that I care for her SO MUCH. She is my best friend and I love her and I know she deserves such great things.  

Above all, I will treat her in a way that shows her worth and I will fight for her everyday through conversation, prayer, and my actions.  I'm seeking her heart and it's my desire to keep it safe, confident, courageous and strong. 

We joke that Matt should write a book on slow and steady wins the race. But really the chapters in Matt and Jen's story are more about TRUSTING GOD even when things didn’t make sense, trusting Him even when you felt forgotten, trusting God even when you feel like quitting. Trusting God that he has a plan that is MORE THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Whispers To My Graduate!

My son is graduating from elementary school and starting junior high next year! My daughter is going to high school! Talk about transitions! There are so many feelings, memories, and nostalgia swirling in me that I really can't wrap my brain around it. Where did the time go? How are we here already? Didn't I just drop them off at the front door to kindergarten like yesterday? I need time to stop. Stand still. Give me more time to catch up. God, it's going too fast. In a few years I will be sending them off to college. AGH! Breathe! Deeply.

What is it that I really want them to know as they walk in this different space in life? How do I put into words how important the next few years will be but yet, help them understand that these years will only represent a small sliver of their future?

Dear Lakin, Landen, and Lawson,
As your mom, I cannot tell you enough how PROUD I am of you both. Not because of how well you did in school and sports or the accomplishments you achieved, but because you are turning into such wonderful young adults. I have LOVED watching you grow along the way and being a part of every step of your journey. This next phase of your life I have to start letting you go, slowly, to experience things and make your own path. Instead of holding your hand like when you were little, I will be walking behind you, still watching and guiding, but from a bit of a distance. NEVER forget, not for one moment, that I will not be there for you! I will still be there to catch you if you fall or to lean on if you stumble. Remember without a shadow of a doubt that your dad and I love you with all our hearts! There is nothing you can do for us to love you less and nothing you can do for us to love you more. We love you just because you are ours!

WHISPERS TO MY GRADUATE

The road ahead will not always be easy or fun or go the way you want. More often than not there will be mountains and valleys that you did not expect.

Don't QUIT! Even when it gets hard. Really hard. Or even when it seems impossible. Never give up! The finish line could be that next hill you have to climb, that next step you have to take. 

Life is not fair. Don't focus on trying to make it equal or just. This takes a lot of unnecessary energy. Do what you can do and BE THE CHANGE that you want to see in the world.

Character Counts. Really. Doing what is right is still right even if no one else is doing it.

Choices matter. Doing what is wrong it still wrong even if everybody else is doing it.

Real friends are hard to find. The ones who not only hold your hand but hold you up when the storms of life try to take you down. Be that kind of friend.

Watch what you say! Words are powerful and can be very painful. I have seen them destroy others. They also have a tendency to come back and bite you in the butt!

OWN your Junk! If it's your fault don't push it off on others. Take the hit. Accept the consequences. 

DREAM BIG! God created you for a reason. Don't settle for less. You can do MORE than you ever imagined!

You are UNIQUE. There is only one you. Don't try to be someone else just to fit in. Don't compare yourself to others you are not them. Just be you!

Have FUN! Enjoy yourself! Laugh a lot even if sometimes it has to be at yourself. You only get to live life once! 

PRAY. PRAY. PRAY. God's got this! Even when He seems silent or not paying attention, He is there. He promises never to leave us. He has a plan. Trust Him. 

TEAM LEE FOREVER!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

She Comes Home in 48 Hours!

I sent my 14 year old daughter off to Washington DC and New York for eight days. She was going with her 8th grade class to visit all the historical museums, memorials, monuments, and buildings that are the political foundation of the United States America. Throw in a Broadway play, shopping in Times Square, and a Yankees game, and she had the opportunity to experience a trip of a lifetime!

And I didn't go with her...I wanted to make those memories with her. I wanted to share in all those amazing experiences and take pictures together capturing those moments. But I didn't go...As I saw her walk off with her friends at the airport my heart literally lurched in my chest. Wait! Wait for me! She can't go by herself. I will go to protect her. I will be there just in case anything goes wrong. If she gets sick I can handle it. If she has friend troubles I will guide her through it. I will make sure she doesn't get lost, brings her jacket if it’s cold, has her umbrella in case it rains, gets enough sleep, eats right, puts her money in a safe place...and, and, and! But I didn't go!

I knew, deep in my heart, that I had to begin the painful process of her growing up and making decisions and choices without me. She turns 18 and goes off to college in four years! I know I have to spend this precious time I have left, helping her prepare to face the world on her own. It was time to start letting her go. 

"GOD! I am not strong enough to do this! I think this is cruel and unusual punishment. She has never even been on a plane or out of the state without us! So many bad things can happen. So many things can go wrong. She is not ready. I don't like going to bed at night and not seeing her in her room. We drive to school every morning together. It will be quiet and lonely. I would never recover if something happened to her. It's like a piece of my heart is missing already and it hurts!"

"Kimberley, my precious, hysterical child, I GOT THIS! Her name is written on the palm of my hand. I created her and have a plan for her life. Give me your anxiety, your worries, your fear, and let me comfort you and give you strength to carry on. Your job is to love Lakin and raise her to be independent and have faith in Me! You have been teaching her since she was little to be courageous and confident for such a time as this! She is the daughter of a mighty, mighty King who loves her beyond anything you can imagine. Trust me with your daughter!" 

Worry happens when we assume responsibility God never intended us to have.

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Demand List For Heaven

Dear God,

The Bible describes heaven with streets made of gold, as pure as transparent glass. The foundations of the walls made from precious stones. The gates made of pearls. There will be no more disease, dying, sorrow, pain, or tears! While that does sound exciting, I have decided that if I am going to be spending eternity there I would like to offer up some suggestions for my extended stay. Just a few things that maybe might not seem a big deal to many but would make my "Heavenstay" really enjoyable :)

No Calories, not a one. Even the triple chocolate Pazookie from Oreganos.  In the same line of thinking nothing should be made fat free. If it doesn't have fat in it why bother? It's like drinking non-alcoholic beer. Or coffee without caffeine. An ice cream sundae without whip cream and a cherry. Pointless.

Everyone can dance, even Oprah. It's a sad day to watch the awkwardness of some people dancing, especially when they think they are John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever. Let everyone have some rhythm for when we are dancing in the streets.

Bikinis (all in good taste) look good on everyone! On Earth trying on bathing suits is a traumatic and horrifying event for 98% of women. It's up there with ripping all your body hair off with hot wax. I want to run free in my two piece without the thought of anything falling out or looking ridiculous.

Mosquitoes and Cockroaches Banned. I know you are the creator of everything but these things are just nasty. Anything that can live without it's head or through a nuclear explosion is creepy. Mosquitoes are terribly annoying and ruin most picnics. The repellent we have to use takes away the natural smells of nature around us.

No Gaps in Our Favorite (appropriate of course) TV Shows. It used to be a season meant more than 13 episodes. Now there are so many breaks it seems like there is always a hiatus or a rerun. We just need consistency in our lives.

Teachers Get "Paid" As Much As (or at least closer) Sports Stars. I realize I became an educator knowing money was not going to be the goal. But teachers spend more time with children than their parents, shaping the lives of the future. And while dunking a basketball or pitching a perfect game is incredible, A-Rod gets paid 170,000 per game. A teacher would have to work 4 1/2 years to make what he makes in 2 hours. 

A Big Selection of Books. I love to read and am worried with so many people in heaven I might have trouble checking out books. I am hoping the library will have all my favorite authors. Maybe people who never read on Earth will become avid readers in heaven!

Frequently Asked Questions Handout. I am sure people come up with A LOT of questions; many are probably the same ones. Maybe we could get a "Guide to Heaven" with all those answered and a map to get around? Could you also include the typical daily schedule and heaven expectations? I wouldn't want to take a wrong turn or something! Being organized is always a good thing, don't you think?

I am looking forward to hanging out with You and Jesus! I have so much to talk to you about! I know you have prepared a home for us and you have GOT THIS! 

Love,

Kimberley

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

Can You See the Beauty?

The waves crashing on to the beach overlooking a massive ocean that seems to go on forever, the majestic mountains in Colorado with snowy peaks touching the clouds, the lakes that shimmer like glass in their stillness, a field of flowers blossoming with all the colors of the rainbow turning their faces towards the sun; nature's wonders can be amazing and awe inspiring! Certain views can actually take our breath away; fill us with a sense of peace, rest, and even a profound sense of knowing, deep within our souls, that something BIG, POWERFUL, AND LOVING made such splendid creations! It is easy to see the beauty in the world when faced with such picturesque wonders that are too magnificent to have been made by man. 

But why if we can acknowledge the beauty and glory in nature, is it so hard to see the same glory, majesty, and awe inspiring work in people? Why can't we see people as God's ultimate masterpiece? I mean, we were made in His image, which has to be pretty amazing right? But don't we often overlook that same kind of beauty in the face and lives of others? One of my friends was complaining about cliques in church. My reply back, was, "Yes, if you look for cliques you will find them everywhere. But I challenge you to dig a little deeper. Have you noticed the beauty in the single mom showing up toting three kids just to hear the worship music? Have you seen the drug addict finally free from his addictions helping with communion? Have you watched the big burly man all tatted up raising his arms in submission to God?

Jealousy, apathy, greed, forgiveness, fear, lack of compassion, and bitterness block out His glorious work in humans. "But Kimberley, mountains don't move, lakes don't hurt your heart, oceans don't argue back! A flower wants nothing from you!" Yes, I know that people are messy, hurtful, and hard to deal with. But the same God that formed the mountains and commands the oceans, the same God that created the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef, created people! Do you think He gave us humans His leftovers? Can you imagine that He put less effort into us than nature? 

Jesus sees "all our flaws, insecurities, and sins" exposing them for the ugliness they are and "against all reason and rationale", looks at us and declares us beautiful! He hung on the cross, and gave his life for all "those difficult, awful, and broken" people! Jesus doesn't see a prostitute or a young man ravaged by addiction as worthless; he doesn't look over the "least" of these! He doesn't point the finger at the adulterer, liar, thief, abuser, cheater, drunk, gossiper, slanderer, and say, "You are beyond hope and redemption is not for the likes of you!" He doesn't complain when we just don't "get it" or yell, "I'm done trying with you"! He doesn't zero in on all the ways we need to improve to meet the "standard". Jesus simply offers the gospel, "You can't but I did!"

I challenge you all, to digger deeper! Sometimes the beauty in others is WAY below the surface, not easily found....but IT'S THERE! Look harder! Pray for God to drop the scales from your eyes to see people the way He sees them. Start with your family, search for God's glory in your husband before he walks in the door from work, push back against focusing on all the reasons to criticize him. Find the beauty in your kids even when they are talking back or aggravating you to the point of frustration. Look for the grace in some of your colleagues, especially the ones who annoy you. Seek out all the blessings that are in your church even when you don’t like or agree with everything. Stop judging or overlooking the beautiful people God has already placed in your life, you just might not see it yet!

The old saying,"How do you see the glass of water? Half full or half empty?" I ask you, "How do you see people? As God's creations or all the things wrong with them?"

"So God created mankind in his own image,  in the image of God he created them..." Genesis 1:27

Does It Even Matter?

"What are you doing right now that will matter 100 years from now?"

Talk about being hit in the gut! This question was posed to me in Bible study and got me all riled up! Oh my gosh what if the answer is NOTHING? What if nothing I am doing truly matters? What if I am just running around like Chicken Little with my head cut off, not accomplishing much, but ruffling a lot of feathers. 100 years is a long time from now, what lasts over a century besides garbage bags and plastic bottles?

According to distractify.com if you compress all the time into minutes, the average person spends over 2 years watching commercials and 9 years or 80,486 hours watching TV, 1 year cleaning, 3 months waiting in traffic, 67 minutes a day eating, 5 years at a desk and 90,360 hours working. Women spend 8 years of their life SHOPPING, over 17 years on some kind of diet trying to lose weight and 14,000 hours doing our hair. 70% of our waking life is spent in front of digital media and 90% of our time is spent indoors!

Ouch! We all know that we need to probably cut down on T.V., Facebook, Pinterest, video games, or whatever else we do that distracts us from truly living but these numbers were depressing! I was tempted to start writing down a list of all my worldly achievements to prove my worth, or at least help me feel like I haven't wasted so much time!  

I cried out, "God, God I don't want to stand before you and give you my list of all the things I have "done for you" thinking I am going to get an A+ or at least a solid B, but really you will just shake your head, with a sad smile, and say," Kimberley you kind of missed the point..." What AM I doing that will matter a 100 years from now?"

"Kimberley, it's really simple, Love God and Love Others! Love does not return void, even if is rejected, thrown away, ignored, trampled on, or only one-sided. All the other stuff the world has to offer, are only substitutes for LOVE. You can't take your money with you, your cars will rust, your house might crumble, the memory of you will slowly fade BUT THE WAY YOU LOVED OTHERS WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS TO COME! When people are loved well, especially in my name, the effects are eternal. Love your husband like He is your greatest gift even when he doesn't deserve it, love your children, no matter what, pouring into them all my truths, love your enemies even when it hurts, and love the people I put in your life because I first loved you! That is what will matter when you stand before me." 

"Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor 13:13

Excited To See You!

The other day, I ran into a friend unexpectedly. She was standing on the sidelines of the soccer game I was attending and when I saw her I got so excited! I yelled her name, gave her a big hug, and started chatting away. You would think we hadn't seen each other in months but we actually went to dinner together only three weeks ago. My friend is encouraging, kind, and loves me for who I am. We are transparent with other, talk about our struggles and our screw-ups, and try to figure out how God is shaping us into the person He created us to be. Sometimes we have to call each other out on our junk or give a different perspective but it's done lovingly and with the best intentions. When I went home that night I was thanking God for my friend and I burst into tears. I was so overwhelmed because, in my mind, I saw snapshots of many people that He has placed in my life to love me, of which I am truly, truly grateful for.

But then I saw an image of Jesus, with His hands stretched out wide and a huge smile on His face, saying, "Kimberley, I AM so excited to see you! I love you desperately and can't wait for you to share your day with me. I never get tired of you placing all your troubles at my feet and letting me carry the load. Sometimes, lessons and character building in your life is painful but necessary. I promise to never judge or look down on you. I am very thankful you are my child and can't imagine not being a part of your life!"

I am in awe that the feelings I get when seeing people I enjoy; excitement, happiness, warm fuzzies, and laughter, will be ten-fold when I see my creator! I won't have to be on my best behavior, hold up a mask, or try a bunch of silly things to fit in. I can just run into His arms and know that I am loved beyond measure! That's pretty amazing if you ask me!

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1