If We Didn't Know Pain, We Wouldn't Know Beauty

Over the past year I have had the privilege of being a co administrator for a NASCAR fan based group on Facebook called 24LIFE. We are all rooting for our driver, Chase Elliott. But to my surprise, this group has become so much more than a "fan page".

I'll never forget the day my two close friends, Donna, Keith and I decided to start this group. We worked for a few days figuring out what we wanted this group to look like, how we wanted to run it, and who all we hoped would join the group. We launched the page, started inviting friends and family who are NASCAR fans to join us, and then said a little prayer that we would have at least 20 members accept our invitation to have some fun together while cheering our driver on.

All along I think the 3 of us had a feeling that there was a bigger purpose for our little group, but for that day, we just hoped for a few members. And then they started coming. Twenty members the first day, then 30 and 40 and so on. We actually had to become a secret group on Facebook in order to cap off how many members we would have.

We are blown away every day by this little group of 200 members, men, women, young and "older", Chase Elliott Fans and fans of other drivers. These people never cease to amaze me. Here are a few things I've learned from 24LIFE.

Tolerance of everyone is a gift of love that I see everyday in our group.

We can all differ and yet all care so deeply.

Somedays the comedy is hilarious, and somedays we are all in tears together.

Online friendships are real and can become very deep when you open you life to others.

A word of encouragement goes a long way.

Forgiveness is a must in life.

If you need prayer, this group will gather around you and pray. Most of us have never met in person but we are prayer partners for life.

God can use a simple dream of a NASCAR group for His glory. I know this for a fact. I see Him in our group every day.

When we open our lives to others, the love comes back to us a thousand times over.

I think what sums up this past year, and our little FB group is a quote I read by Phillip LaRue.
"Life us a lot harder and more beautiful than I imagined when I was young. What a paradox. If we didn't know pain, we wouldn't know beauty."

Together we've seen our share of pain, sorrow, and loss. And together we had our share of joy, happiness, and victories. None of it had to do with NASCAR. All of it has to do with doing life together.


Much love to my 24LIFE friends and family, and much love to those who take time to read when I write.

The Waves and Winds Still Know His Name

It's been so long since I have written. But tonight, through a series of teachings, and some music I have been listening to, I feel so compelled to write. You see, if I have anything in me that I can share with you, then I want to do it. If I am struggling and someone else may have the same struggle, then lets go through it together. I want to share with you a very personal struggle that I am going through right now.

For me, I am battling fear. I am afraid to walk into those rooms full of people I do not know. I am afraid of dying alone. I have a fear of failure and a fear of rejection. Life has handed me a whole lot of fear over the past few years. I don't remember battling most of these fears when I was younger.  I think some of it came about when I became single. For the first year I was single, I was surrounded with so many people who were reaching out to me, holding my hand, and walking the journey into a new way of living with me. But over time, the new wore off for all of us. I seemed to be healing well from the scars that were left on my heart. And I started finding a new normal.

I have had a real unrest in my soul over the past few months though. I will call that unrest fear. I have become afraid. As God so often does, He brought some teachers into my life who confessed that they battle with fear. Through their confession, I am choosing to confess, also, that I battle with fear almost everyday of my life.

I watched Chonda Pierce's documentary last night, "Laughing in the Dark". At the end of the film she confessed a fear that punched me in the gut so hard. Why did it shake me to the core? Because I have the same fear. She confessed that she's afraid of dying alone. I'm afraid of dying alone, of having no one to hold my hand or care for me.

Tonight I watched a short live feed from Beth Moore. Low and behold, she was speaking on fear. She confessed that fear is one of her biggest battles. I suppose if Beth can say it out loud, and Chanda can say it out loud, then I can say it out loud, too. I think talking about it is one of the most effective ways of learning to conquer it. No, I'll probably never be completely free from fear, but my God will cover me in such a way that I can live my life and not miss out on the things He has for me. He and I can walk through fear together. One of those things He has for me is this confession. I believe that when I say it out loud, then others will completely understand, and begin to seek freedom from fear just like I am doing.

I will be praying this Scripture constantly.
Isaiah 41:10 says this:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I am choosing to proclaim this Scripture every time I feel afraid.Whether I am afraid of dying alone, going into a crowded room alone, or whatever my fear is, this verse will be the words that God speaks over my heart. After all, that's why He placed these words in the Scriptures. He placed them there for you and for me. He is speaking them over our hearts right now. Do Not Fear!!!! For I am Your God!!! Amen! Praise His name!
Will you walk this journey with me? After all, as the song by Bethel Music says"so let go my soul and trust in Him. The waves and winds still know His name." When He says "Be still", our fears will be still, just like the waves and winds!

Much love! Kim