by Kimmie Liette | Apr 6, 2017 | Writings |
Is the value of their soul worth the laying down of my pride?
Jesus wasn’t worried about what people thought about him or even what they accused him of.
He only cared about binding the wounds of the broken hearts and shattered souls.
He feasted with the hungry and gave of himself to the lonely. He spent precious time of his earthly life among sinners and outcasts because he knew that’s where he was needed most.
Aren’t we called to be like God and to live in the way that he lived? If he came to give his time, his life and his reputation to the sick and the sinner, then how should we give our lives?
He was not embarrassed to be seen with, and to recline with many tax collectors and sinners. Therefore, we should not be embarrassed of those who we are called to lay down our pride for.
For me, it is my children, they have embarrassed me more than I could dream up. They need love, they need affection, they need stability and they need parents who will take them as they are and fight for their needs. Is the value of their lives and their souls worth the laying down of my pride? Yes it is. A million times over, yes! They have caused me embarrassment (what kids don’t?), but more than that they have brought me joy and taught me what truly matters in life.
On many occasions, I have wished I could wear a shirt that says “they are foster children” so people wouldn’t judge me and blame me for their misbehavior. There have been too many times I’ve almost been kicked out of Hobby Lobby or been given dirty looks by people who can’t believe how “bad” of a parent I am.
It is incredibly ugly that my heart and pride would think that, but it’s the truth and I still must fight my pride each day.
I constantly have to remind myself to follow the example of Jesus.
He embraced those whom the world rejected. When questioned about those he placed around him, he didn’t make excuses, he spoke from a place of wisdom and authority.
“But when he heard it, he said, “ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12)
He heard what others were saying, yet Jesus knew the cost of his reputation was worth the saving of the needy. He loved him with a love that covered over insignificant things like what others thought about him.
Lord forgive me for every time I was more concerned about the thought others have had about my parenting than what I knew my children needed from me. I am sorry that I was embarrassed, when I should have been honored. I never need my pride anyway, so it is a double-blessing what you have done in my life. I pray that as you take what I never needed, and trade it for something meaningful that I would see what truly matters and live out of that place. May my actions and thoughts reflect yours, God. Thank you for the blessings of my children, for they have taught me many lessons and have showed me how to truly love as you do.
Where is your feasting table? Who are your people? Go and love them well.
by Kimmie Liette | Dec 17, 2014 | Writings
I have to tell you: I am in love with this man.
I am 23 years old, and he is 27.
We have been married for a little over 3 years.
(some would say I married young)
As one of my friends reminded me , we met in a parking lot at Southeastern University.
And I’m so glad we did.
Though, when I was a little girl I never dreamed of meeting my husband in such a romantic place.
It just goes to show , you never know where you’ll meet “the one”.
And I would love to hear stories of other crazy places couples met their spouse, so please do share!
I absolutely love being married, but it hasn’t been flawless.
Life is not always easy, but it’s much better with your best friend by your side.
God has blessed me with one who constantly encourages me and adores me for who I am.
I’m so thankful.
And I finally realized something I hadn’t totally understood before…
Marriage is more than the feeling of love.
Love is beautiful, especially if you see everything with a deeper meaning like me.
However, marriage is a little more like being battle buddies, who stand side by side.
They walk through life together during the joyful times and the treacherous times.
Husbands and wives also remember together.
They remember all of the little things and laugh or cry.
Your spouse helps you remember why you feel the way you do, or why you are acting the way you are-
because they know you, they understand you, even when you don’t understand yourself.
You take on life together. Whatever comes your way.
It’s so much better than having to remember on your own, laugh by yourself, or fight battles solo.
I love Brady more than I did on the day that I married him because we’ve grown together and we’ve seen each others greatest strengths and worst weaknesses.
Yet, we still choose to love one another and encourage each other daily.
Love is a commitment. Marriage is forever. And it’s so worth it.
“We are friends for life. When we’re together the years fall away. Isn’t that what matters? To have someone who can remember with you? To have someone who remembers how far you’ve come?”- Judy Blume
“Now is not the time to draw back in fear. It is a time when we must rise up and flourish in love.” – Lisa Bevere (Girls with Swords)
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by Kimmie Liette | May 18, 2014 | Writings
Today marks the calendar of being 9 weeks pregnant.
You would think I would be a baby whiz and know all that there is to know about pregnancy and motherhood, but the simple truth is that I do not. Nor will I ever pretend to.
What is hardest to me is that all over the media, and in every day life you see women who at first glance, resemble wonder woman. I mean, they knew every detail about every week and trimester of pregnancy before they even turned 10. Okay, maybe not, but it seems like they have it all together, and there must obviously be something wrong with me, I think to myself.
I have wanted a baby since the day I was married, (I know, I know) but I finally became pregnant 2 and a half years later. In all of that time of dreaming of little baby Liette, I completely forgot to do any research.
Thus, here I am being surprised every day about what it means to be a mom and grow a little miracle inside of me.
And let me tell you, there are many things to learn and plenty of decisions to be made. I am currently researching all things about natural birth, though I do know that I can’t quite get myself to deliver at home. At least not with this baby.
I suppose the point of all of this is, three months into the most exciting season of my life, I still feel pretty clueless on all things pregnancy and motherhood.
Even though I haven’t met them yet, I know I love this baby way more than I ever would have dreamed. And I have this sneaking suspicion that there are other first-time moms out there who are thrilled about this natural process of life, but also feel that they don’t know as much as they ‘should’.
But what we really need to know is that it’s okay and it doesn’t make us any less of a mom than we should be.
Every woman had to start somewhere, and at some time.
So, let’s do this together. Let’s research, learn, discuss, and be real about what it feels like to develop into mommyhood as our babies are developing body parts.
It’s okay to not have all the answers, as long as we are trying.
by Kimmie Liette | Apr 11, 2014 | Writings |
The past six months that I lived in Guatemala felt like a lifetime.
(In a good way)
I’ve been blessed to have met women like Veronica.
She has a beautiful heart and a radiant smile that always left me laughing.
She began as my Spanish teacher and quickly became a dear friend.
Since being back in the States,
(I’d like to say back home, but I’m still confused where home truly is)
I’ve come to the awakening of the gaping hole in my chest.
It’s difficult to leave your heart in another country with people who became apart of your story.
When your lives collide and you realize that you are more alike than you could’ve ever imagined.
That despite cultural differences, and sometimes (a lot of times) language barriers, we are human.
We all possess the deep longing to be seen and to be loved.
I came back to Florida and knew that the wild world outside had changed me.
My eyes couldn’t see things the same, though at times, they tried.
I longed for the warm embrace of a beautiful Mayan friend that I’ve met on the street.
The woman named Thomasa that I’ve adopted as my abuelita (little grandma).
She sells mangoes, papaya, and watermelon every day at the age of eighty-seven.
It’s these kinds of people who leave a lasting impact on the heart.
The ones who are content with the little they have, and encourage you to share in their joy.
They are the ones who changed my eyes, and I’ll forever be grateful to them.
