Back To Work

Today as I got up for work, I dreaded the thought of going back after two weeks off. I loved having an open schedule; waking up when we wanted to, eating a slow breakfast with my family, going to the park after lunch. I would piddle around my house getting stuff done that I had been putting off for months..because now I had a little extra time. But today it is back to the grind and chaos of getting all five of us ready for the day.
 
So, I am brushing my teeth, grumbling, and I think to myself, "Kimberley, you have a choice to spend your day with a bad attitude or you can CHOOSE to look at this differently. You can choose to be grateful that you have a job, when many don't. You can choose to go to work with a happy heart and bless others who are maybe feeling the same way you are right now. You can choose to be thankful that you are alive and healthy with one more day on this earth. You can choose to look at all the good things around you. Or you can choose to just sit back and complain."
 
Yeah, well right but what if I really like to complain and grumble? "Again the choice is yours but how do you want to write your day? With Me, Me, Me? or Jesus, Jesus, Jesus?"
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for other people." Colossians 3:22

One year and still chugging along...

It has been a year (and a few days), since one of my friends told me I should write a devotional..for real people. As I look back over my blog, there were some months where I was on fire (look at February) and some months where I could barely get it together (sad November). Many of you have sent words of encouragement or left comments, which I really appreciate because to be honest..it is often a struggle to write. Whenever I push the send button I doubt myself. I question, "Did that even make sense?" or "What if that was too much?" or "God, are you sure this is what you want me to say?" My thoughts, feelings, beliefs, convictions, and personal story are all there for everyone to see and critique!! Again, it is like opening up your diary or trying on a bikini in public! AAAAGH!

My hope, my deepest prayer is that I have been obedient and let my words reflect the glory of God. I want to make people laugh, cry with joy, and most importantly point the way to our Creator. I want to inspire people to love more, live more, and enjoy this ride of life they are on. I am humbled and amazed that God would even use such a broken, broken vessel like me. At the end of the day, I want my heavenly father to say, "Kimberley, well done my good and faithful servant."Thank all of you for being on this journey with me... for following me, reading what I write, commenting, and just being encouraging. I will keep on chugging along, keep on blogging, and continue to write even when I don't feel like it :) I can't wait to see what the New Year brings and what God will have us all do for Him!

"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Many, Many Blessings....
Kimberley Lee

New Relationship? Don't Lose Your Mind!

Many of us love having a new relationship. We love the excitement of the first date, the first kiss, the long conversations, texting until our fingers fall off, holding hands, laughing together, and just spending time getting to know the other person. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the hype and fun we forget to keep our head screwed on right. We start to lose ourselves or compromise on important things. I recommend having a game plan before you start any new relationship. Failure to plan usually ends up.. well in..failure! I've heard it all before, "I will be different. It won't happen to me. I will listen to people. I am in control.....blah,blah,blah." But let's be honest. Relationships are powerful. Good or bad they have the ability to drastically change your life. Something this serious needs to be well thought out and prayed over...a lot!
 
1. Have your non-negotiables prepared BEFORE you get into a new relationship. This isn't, "I have to have him be 6 feet tall or she has to have blonde hair."  What are the three to four things that you are not willing to compromise on? What are your core beliefs that you will stand firm on, no matter how much "in love" you become?  Maybe something like, "The person I am dating has to be actively pursuing a life with Jesus or I won't give up my relationship with Jesus no matter what or I will remain physically pure until marriage."

2. Have accountability set up with people you trust and won't dismiss when they tell you something you don't want to hear. Too many times to count people kick their accountability partners to the curb or better yet hide things from them. Seriously? Playing hide-and-go-seek is for children not adults trying to figure out a dating life. Who are you really hurting?

3. Don't vomit your past. I don't advocate keeping secrets but I do think it is wise to gradually get to know one another, building on a foundation of friendship and trust before you throw out all your junk. Make sure the other person is stable, mature enough, and ready for you to share.

4. Ask yourself, often, "Am I better person when I am around them?" If the answer is no, run, FAST. Life is hard enough without being around someone who brings you down, makes you feel crazy all the time, or helps you turn into someone you dislike. Look in the mirror...do you recognize the person staring back? And if so do you like that person anymore?

5. You are not buying a car, so get rid of your checklist. This doesn't mean ignore red flags or compromise on your non-negotiables. It means when you buy a car or a house you can ask for your "perfect wish list" but when you are talking about dating a human being having a critical nature or a page long checklist of all your "ideals" might make you miss out on a great person.

6. Don't ignore red flags. If something sits wrong with you or seems off, keep asking questions until you get answers. If it is a red flag in dating it can be a detrimental life-changer in marriage.

7. Talk often about IMPORTANT things. It amazes me how many couples get engaged or even married without really knowing the other person. Get past the superficial and engage in serious conversations that give you an idea of exactly who this person is and what they believe.

8. Don't seclude. It is not healthy to cast off all your friends or ignore your family because you are so obsessed with this new relationship. Keep a balance. Keep people around that will see if you are changing into something you shouldn't or they are seeing things that might be a red flag that you are ignoring.

9. Don't over spiritualized everything. I have heard the "God card" overplayed and used when people want to twist things into their own desires and God has nothing to do with it. Deep down you know if it really is the Holy Spirit guiding you or really your selfishness to get what you want no matter the cost.

10. Take TIME. It is not a race (no matter how old you are). When you're rushing through the relationship you probably are missing out on important milestones. Relationships should be about seasons spent together and living life together in them. If you skip over all this you might be jumping into something without getting the full picture.

11. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO DIFFERENT? This is probably not your first relationship. Ask yourself, how is this one going to be any different than the last one? Dig deep. Be honest. You might be caught in a cycle of continually making one bad decision after another. 

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." -Einstein 

Sadly most people will ignore the above advice and do it all on their own. 

"This is what the Lord says:“ Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future."  Jeremiah 17:5-6a

Goodbye 2012..Hello 2013!

As I say goodbye to 2012, I tried to reflect on all the things that occurred. There were good times and bad times, many ups and many downs. Experiences that made me laugh..out loud and some that made me cry..a lot! What did I learn? What can I take with me into the New Year? What do I need to leave behind or let go of?

Things that I am going to take with me in 2013...

1. Love, love and more love.
“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' rather he will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?” ― Mother Teresa

2. Joy
Nobody can steal my joy. My joy comes from the One who lives in me who is greater than anything else. I can be batter, bruised, even beaten down but true joy cannot be taken.

3. Hope
Even in the darkest times, there is always hope. Hope for a new day. Hope that rises from the ashes. Even a small sliver, a tiny glimpse of light can be grabbed a hold of to get you to tomorrow. My destiny is held in the hand of Jesus. "No power of hell or scheme of man can pluck me from His hand."

4. Boundaries
It is okay to set healthy boundaries with people in my life. I was not born to be a door mat. I cannot do everything. I am not Super Woman. It is okay to say no sometimes even if people get upset.

5. Own who I am..I am MY CHOICES.
I will take responsibility for my actions, my emotions, my feelings, and my responses. I will not push these off on other people or expect them to fix anything for me. I am the daughter of a mighty, mighty king and I will live life trying to make wise choices accordingly.

6. The Truth

The world is noisy. Loud. It offers lots of distractions and false promises. I commit to constantly seeking the truth. Pushing back the darkness that pulls us into despair and addictions. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Things that I will leave behind...

1. Unforgiveness
Holding grudges and an unforgiving attitude usually hurts me more than the other person. Bitterness takes root and slowly destroys from within. I have been forgiven many times over and with God's help I will not let the spirit of unforgiveness settle down in my heart for too long.

2. Anger
Anger is not my friend. It often causes me to over react and put my foot in my mouth. Anger is a flashing red light warning me that something else is going on that I need to deal with. "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverbs 29:11

3. Negative Thoughts
My thoughts are powerful. What I choose to focus on, think about, and let run amuck in my mind is what will come out of my mouth. I will choose to capture negative thoughts quickly so that they don't control me and become a bad habit.

4. Selfishness
I will try to remember that maybe, just maybe it's not all about me. Most of the time I throw a fit or get upset is because I haven't gotten my way or an expectation hasn't been met. I was not created to be all about Me, Me, Me. I was created to "Love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength. The second is this: ‘Love my neighbor as myself." Mark 12: 30-31. 

I can't do any of this very well if I am focused on the person in the mirror.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. 

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. 

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. 

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 

― Mother Teresa

Life.....

One of my favorite quotes....definitely something to reflect on for the new year.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” ― Mother Teresa