To my beautiful Mom

Today is a very special day. For some of you, maybe not...but for me, it most definietly is. Today is my beautiful mother's birthday!!

This morning I was looking through an old photo album, and I realized something. I truly have an incredible mother. I'm the youngest of four kids, and my mom always made sure that we were running around, playing, doing fun things. I can't even begin to imagine all that she sacrificed so that we could have more. I know most people would be exhausted by all she did...she's kind of like a super hero in that way! But as I looked trough the pictures, I couldn't help but realize the most amazing thing. She loved it. She loved being our mom, and she still loves being our mom. Growing up my friends always just loved my mom. I mean, I get it. She's beautiful, outgoing, charming and fun. But I would always get embarrassed by the fact that she was constantly wanting to know about everyone's life. And even as an adult, I sometimes find that I just want there to be a time with no more questions coming my way. But it finally hit me, the reason people have always gravitated toward my mom is because she cares. My mother genuinely cares about people, and most of the time she sacrifices her troubles or cares, so that she can be there for someone elses. She would rather be there for someone else in need, than focus on herself. She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. So I guess all of this, is to say this...

Mom, thank you for everything you have done for me. I can't imagine having another mother, and I wouldn't want to. You have always been a rock, someone strong that I can turn to, a shelter. But you've also been a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and someone who loves me unconditionally. You've been a motivator. You've shown me that life is going to knock you down, but you can't dwell on it, you can't fester. You have to get up, and move on because there is joy to be found just around the corner. You've shown me what it means to be a good mom. Checking up on me, making sure I knew the real difference between right and wrong. As i've grown you have become my friend. Someone I laugh with. You were there through the hard times in life, the drama in school, and my first broken heart. As i've become an adult, you've encouraged me, and wathced me succeed, always so full of love and pride for me. And I will always be thankful. I can't wait for what the next chapters in life hold. I can't wait for you to be there when I start my life with somebody, when I have my kids, when I come to you for answers because I just don't know what to do. But I do know that someday I will be a great mom, because you have taught me how. I know I don't always appreciate you like I should, but you deserve the best. I love you mom! Happy 54th birthday

Always,
Kimberly

A step of Faith

Holy Hallelujiah God is good. But seriously people. I truly mean that. See, I have always loved Jesus. Really and truly, I have...but in the last couple of weeks, he has been calling me out to do things for him that I never could've imagined. I mean, i'd sort of imagined them, but for some reason I always thought i'd be "established" first. Or something like that. I don't even know what to tell you, except that when you decide to REALLY take a step out of your normal, everyday whatever...you'll be saying holy hallelujiah too!

Okay, so things have been moving and shaking in my life for a little over a month now. It's seriously incredible. God has been opening doors, and bringing people into my life to encourage, metor, lead, etc. It's awesome. I've been being filled, and filled and filled. But that's the thing, once we are filled, we are called to POUR OUT. Right? And don't get me wrong, it's been awesome pouring out to people who already love him. Yes, there are still hard things that come along, but we are called TO REACH THIS WORLD FOR HIM!!!!! WOOO HOOO! Sorry. I'm easily excitable these days. ANYWAY...moving on. This morning I went to the gym to get my workout on. Go me! And I really felt the Lord challenging me to choose someone to talk to, to encourage. Well, no one was really fitting the bill, and I started to get nervous. I mean, here I am working out, listening to worship music just BURSTING to scream to everyone that Jesus loves them. Don't worry, I didn't. I like the gym I go to, and quite frankly they might've thought I was a tiny bit crazy. HA well, they'd be right but who cares! Anyway, finally this girl gets on the treadmill. And instantly I KNEW it was her. Something in her eyes. They were downcast, and her long hair wasn't up or anything. She had on full makeup and she was walking slowly on the treadmill. Now, don't get me wrong, i've heard lots of people meet their significant others at the gym, but there was just something about her screaming that she needed to know SOMEONE loved her. I got super excited. Stopped really paying attention to my work out. Probably looked like a fool. Awesome. Anyway, I started asking God for scriptures and immedietly two came to mind. I think she sensed something, because she quickly jumped off her treadmill and like a nut job I instantly jumped off mine and was a few paces behind her. She knew something was up and she began to walk quickly toward the exit. DANG! I thought...missed my chance. I grabbed the cleaner and went back to my treadmill to clean it. I didn't even finish the 15 minuets I had left on my treadmill because I was super bummed. I was like "God, if you really want me to tell her this, you gotta bring her back." Well he's just super cool like that, because right as i'm walking out, she starts walking toward me. I give her a big smile and she smiles nervously back. Before she can get away I say " Hi! Excuse me can I talk to you for a minute?" "uhhh sure." "Okay, so this is probably going to sound really strange, but i'm a Christian and I really felt like The Lord wanted me to tell you that he thinks you're amazing, and beautiful, and he loves you so much. Again, I know this sounds strange..." "that's okay." "okay, awesome. And he gave me a few verses which are Song of Solomon 4:7 which says ' You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.' and Isaiah 49:16 ' See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...' So yeah, I just felt like he wanted you to know that." She sort of smiled at me and said "okay thank you." "no problem! have a good day." And that was that. Now don't get me wrong. Pretty cool....but I won't lie, I was sort of bummed walking out to my car like 'God, why didn't she ask me more questions? And how come she was so nervous? Was that creepy to do?' And this is where the coolest part of my whole morning happened. He said " You don't need to know so much about her, because I already know EVERYTHING about her. You don't know what you said did to her, and you don't...because I do." WOW. Boom. Okay. Got it. So I drove home and prayed for the girl who's name I didn't even know.

Here's what I want any one of you reading this to take from this story, that can be you. Don't wait to share the love of God with ANYONE! Here's the bottom line, he can use ANYONE! Seriously. Even creepy girls in the gym like me. Because the bottom line is this, we live in a hurting, devestated, starving world for truth. And you and I as believers HAVE that truth. So what if you make a fool of yourself? Odds are you'll never run into that person again. The Lord also gave me this revelation today. You know those people who fall asleep in church even when the message is amazing and you can't help but think " HOW ARE YOU LETTING YOURSELF MISS THIS?!?" Well, instead of sitting there wondering, we can always tap them on the shoulder to wake them up. Anyone who is not yet in the body of Christ is that sleeping person. They already belong, they're already God's, he loves them with an everlasting love. They just need someone like you or me to tap them on the shoulder, wake them up, so that they can fall right back in love with him too. Be blessed today, bless others today, and never forget the INCREDIBLE LOVE God has for you!