Peace – Kimberly

Peace – Kimberly

Rox and husband, Mark

Good morning. I’ve been trying to write this long, amazing, make you think, deep, blog for my 4th blogging anniversary, and I’ve failed however I’m not convinced I’ve done so by accident.

If I’ve struggled with anything over the last 4yrs, it has been in the area of relationships. I’ve had my share of intense, “hurt me to my core” experiences and honestly, I’ve probably caused the same damage to some. It’s been interesting to say the least.

But with a 20/20 hindsight, it has all been worth it because life experiences have done me justice by sifting through who should be where and how close. And though I’m grateful for several close acquaintances, I’m even more grateful for the simple fact that I possess the one thing that many would give the world for…ONE – TRUE – FRIEND. Ironically, I met this friend shortly before I started this blog. She inspired me then, and she inspires me now. She accepts that I’m human; she knows when I’m hurting and allows me to hurt; she prays for me, and she genuinely cares about me. She helps me to see my wrong, but she doesn’t judge me. She is a woman of great faith, and I am so thankful that God chose my life to be graced with her presence.

I love you, Roxanne Stanton!

Peace – Kimberly

Peace – Kimberly

Speaking of…

Right in the middle of talking to my best friend this evening, Fred Sanford said, “Lord, I only need one good friend so you can pick up the tall, ugly one at your convenience.”

Very smart man. 1. He recognized the “keepers.” 2. He turned those that were not keepers over to God. 3. He didn’t hang around with tall, ugly people. (JUST KIDDING)

It’s mere coincidence that my best friend is short and pretty.

Peace – Kimberly

Rox – LOL. That’s what I think about when I say your name.  I just get tickled.  The reason is because you know how to make me laugh.  We can find humor in the worse situations and at the most random times.  After I’ve dried my eyes from laughing hysterically, I simply smile.  I smile because I’m blessed enough to have someone in my life that can take me and all of my mess and accept me genuinely and love me the same.  I smile because of our friendship, and even greater, I smile because God chose me to be in your space.  Awesome.

Terri – I don’ t like half the things that come out of your mouth.  I’m going to be honest.  I don’ t like them because most times what you speak is what God is saying, and that’s not always what I want to hear.  Nevertheless, you keep speaking those things.  And because you keep speaking those things, I’m being made better inside and out at every word.  I appreciate you staying on me; I appreciate you praying with and for me.  Last but not least, I appreciate you loving me, (P)astor (T)erri (B)arnes.

Jahviah – Boy! I think every year I say, “Watch what you ask for when asking for a brother.”  And I said it again this year.  :)  You challenge me so much.  So so much.  I don’t know whether to hug your neck or hit you over the head. In your own twisted way, you bring out the best in me.  You inspire me, and you jump start my ambitions again.  What would I do without you?

Kathy – The meaning of your name is “Pure” and you are epitome of just that.  Your heart is so open that it’s almost scary.  When you love, you love with no restrictions and your motive is to love and love only.  I used to try to be all hard and upright around you.  That didn’t last long.  You’re one of the most powerful, ambitious, professional women I know, yet you have the biggest, softest, warmest heart I’ve ever witnessed.  You “are” my reminder that I can trust people and that it’s okay to be vulnerable sometimes. I’m so glad God has allowed us to stay connected all of these years.

Gwen - Wooow.  I honestly don’t know what to say.  No, seriously, I don’t.  With all we’ve been through good and bad, I swear we’ve known each other longer than (the soon to be) 4 years. You’re like that person that just won’t go away – not that I want you to of course.  Like Terri, you do and say things that get all up under my skin, but when I’m cool, reflective, and open, God reminds me of a few things I asked for a long time ago and you happen to fit the description of one of them. We work each other, but, man, do we love each other!

Bridgett - I saved you for last because this one’s easy.  You hold me accountable and expect nothing less from me. Enough said.

For the last several years, the number of people that I write to and about hasn’t grown.  Some may say that I’m not allowing people into my space. Some may call me guarded. Well the truth of the matter is that I am.  The people I’ve mentioned here are more precious to me than all the money in the world.  They are my valuable possessions, so yes, I’m guilty of being guarded and protective.  God will allow in whomever He sees fit. Until He does, these 6 people are stuck with me, and I’m proudly stuck with them.

These 6 people are one of the main reasons for two characteristics of mine: 1. When I know without doubt that I’m connected beyond emotions with someone, it’s hard for me to let them go when they don’t “get it” or don’t realize it. 2. I don’t go after people that I know without doubt shouldn’t be in my life.

These 6 people give me more and more reasons every single day to live, love life, and give love.  These 6 people see past my shades.

Peace – Kimberly

Remember, the end is not where we learn the most, it’s the journey we take to get there. Even at our most uncertain times, the worse moment isn’t until we no longer have a chance to get it right. Where there is breath, there is fight. Never forget that. Stay the course.

Peace – Kimberly

I could only come away with the assumption that though he knew his older car was able to burn pavement on a short highway, he failed to understand that it could do the same in the distance.  Nothing changed but the highway, but when it was time to go the distance, fear controlled his confidence, and he simply chose to fall back. Because of his own insecurities and doubt, he placed limitations on the car and simply became hind sight to all around him. What the owner of that old car failed to see was that all of his power wasn’t just under the hood.   He forgot that more power existed in his faith and confidence, than in the engine alone.

Many people are very similar to the driver of that old car.  They will be right there with you for the short, wild rides that don’t require anything of them. They will be there during those moments when seemingly life itself can’t touch you. They will push you to your max but only to get out of you what they need at that moment.  But when it’s time to go the distance, they decelerate out of uncertainty.  When the bright colors and flashiness is gone, so is their faith and support in you.

When it all comes together, you and that old car need the same thing… someone whose faith matches yours.  Someone who’s strapped in and in it for the ride.  What you need is someone who isn’t afraid to break you and tell you the truth by pushing you beyond your limits so that they can help repair you – so that they can help make you better.  Much like my friend, Rox.

Peace – Kimberly

Peace – Kimberly

I was talking with a friend a few weekends ago and she told me how much of an impact my writings have on her and how they often speak to her. Well yesterday, I experienced that very same feeling. Another one of my closest friends blogged about the very thing that I’ve been struggling with lately…loneliness. Now, mind you, she and I have not talked about what I was going through, and I personally didn’t want to. Instead, I chose to spend a week of fasting & praying…(A week that started off a little rough, but with the prayers of another close friend, quickly kicked into gear.) Right in the middle of my 3rd day, she ministered to me so deeply without being near me and without saying a word!! Her writings spoke to me and without doubt contributed to the re-aligning of myself and of my life.

“The Loneliness” by Rox

When we think of loneliness we usually think of relational ‘aloneness.’
I have experienced it many times in my life. Often we wish for a significant other or a friend. Sometimes we wish we were closer to the friends we already have. As a married lady, it’s easy to get wrapped in family and neglect friendships, although you want them desperately.

There’s the bigger picture of loneliness in relation to ‘a greater being.’ Some people truly feel disconnected to anything on this earth… I would think that would be the greatest kind of loneliness.

See, that’s what happens when our lives and relationships are divinely ordered. Neither one of my friends mentioned live within 100 miles of me, but see that’s the thing…its not the physical connections but rather the spiritual that counts! We can rush or force relationships all we want, but the only ones that truly matter are the ones that are lead into our lives.

Why waste the effort of reaching out and reaching out to people to people who may not even want to be a part of your life, when all you have to do is say a prayer and let God lead all of the right ones in? Much Love JM, RS, and BB!

Peace – Kimberly

K.M. Cooley
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