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Lessons From Emma’s Life: Trusting God When Life Hurts

posted on : January 4, 2017 0 Comment

She would have turned 17 this year. I can’t imagine the length of her hair or the hue of her eyes anymore. The sound of her voice and things that would make her heart beat fast elude me, this sweet’s girls mama. Would her face resemble mine or…

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When I was in 2nd grade, we lived in a small Conne

When I was in 2nd grade, we lived in a small Connecticut town for a short 13 months. I have few memories of our time there, more like snapshots, really.

PT Barnum’s statue in the center of town.

A snake slithering across our driveway as I jumped on top of my mom’s car.

Chopping down a tree in our backyard.

Watering dead plants in our basement.

And this cross atop a hill.

The cross wasn’t in our town, but I remember seeing it as my dad drove us around. The cross seemed steadfast and permanent during a time I felt little and perhaps a bit lost.

Then we moved to IL, and left Bethel -and the cross - behind.

Through the years since I’ve asked my family if they remember this cross atop a hill. Being so young, I didn’t remember where I saw it, only that I did. They didn’t remember it.

But I couldn’t forget.

Fast forward a few decades when my daughter and son-in-law, who live 20 minutes from that small Connecticut town, drove me up to Concord, Massachusetts on a visit. As we rounded a hill on our way my eyes drifted to the top.

And there it was … the cross. I recognized it immediately though the landscape looked nothing like I remembered from over 40 years earlier.

Steadfast and sure, there it stood, reminding me of God’s presence throughout my life, even when I didn’t recognize him.

And now, a few years past that visit, I pass this cross as I travel from my home in Massachusetts to visit my daughter and her family in Connecticut. I stare at this cross in wonder, this reminder of God’s love and sovereignty throughout the ages.

And it brings me hope.

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms‬ ‭100:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

#hope #hopefortoday #hopewriter #remembering #godisgood #goodmorning #morningmeditation #amwriting #writerlife #writing

I never expected to live near the ocean. I wante

I never expected to live near the ocean.

I wanted to. I grew up heading from the Midwest to the ocean every year for vacation with my family. But to be so near? Just a dream.

Yet, here I stand.

When I think about the road that carried me here —the heartache, the death of a child, the death of my marriage, the reconstructing of life as I not only knew it … but expected … I realize there’s only One who can bring such beauty from the literal ashes.

Living through my biggest fear and surviving.

Healing from betrayal and heartbreak.

Tasting joy even when a piece of my heart dances in heaven.

As I stand at the ocean’s edge … I don’t ever want to forget. He is good, and His love endures forever.

#ocean #oceanlife #lifeinthemiddle #hope #hopefortoday #life #lifeafterloss #grief #griefjourney #childloss #healing #healingjourney #writer #amwriting #writerlife #faithwriter #faith

Hi there - with all the new people who’ve joined

Hi there - with all the new people who’ve joined recently 👏🏼, I thought I’d jump in for #fridayintroductions.

So, hi 👋🏼 - I’m Kim, a life-in-the-middle Midwesterner living in New England.

My family has taken on different shapes over the 30+ years of adult living.

These days I live with my hubby and two bonus kiddos (17 yo twins) while my oldest lives not too far in CT with her husband and adorable son (I’m Nana 💜). And my youngest daughter … lives in heaven.

Besides my family, here are a few of my favorite things:

* books
* jelly beans
* the ocean
* easing into my mornings
* photography
* writing about the intersection of life, loss, faith, and hope
* mint chocolate chip ice cream
* not having to choose what’s for dinner
* road trips
* personality profiles (any enneagram 9s friends out there?)

As an author and teacher, I love encouraging people and inspire them (and me) to fix our eyes on Jesus.

So, that’s a glimpse of me. Now, it’s your turn. I’m curious - how many of my friends here don’t like choosing what’s for dinner, either? 🙋🏻‍♀️

#lifeinthemiddle #writersofinstagram #writer #hopewriter #hope #faithwriter #womanownedbusiness #writerlife #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner

If you’re tired today, feeling weary … If you

If you’re tired today, feeling weary …

If you’re looking at your growing to do’s …

If your body says slow when you want to go …

If grief weighs heavy on your shoulders …

May the Spirit of God breathe life and hope into your weary soul. May you experience an abundance of his grace and mercy and strength.

Not to pull up your bootstraps and press on, but to be lifted by his breathe just as the wind allows eagles to soar.

📷 @kimdotfindlay
📍 Outer Banks, NC
. . . . . . . . . .
#hope #hopefortoday #lifeinthemiddle #encouragingwords #encouragement #encourage #hopewriterlife #hopewriter #soar #faith #faithwalk #faithwriter #faithwritersofinstagram #writerlife

One night, Jesus and his disciples got in a boat t

One night, Jesus and his disciples got in a boat to cross a lake.

But on their way, a great storm rose up.

The disciples looked at the waves, terrified, they feared they would drown.

They went to Jesus for help, only to find him asleep.

“Jesus,” they cried out. “Don’t you care?”

With compassion he considered their fear. “Why are you afraid?” he asked.

And then he called out - “peace, be still.” Then the waves settled.

The disciples marveled —who is this that even the wind and waves obey him? (Matthew 8:23-28)

Lord, tonight I ask for peace. Peace from the storm, peace in the storm. May we have faith to turn to you for help as you calm the storm in our hearts so we can rest tonight. Amen

. . . . . . . . . .
#peace #peaceofmind #goodnight #nightprayer #prayer #prayers #findinghope #amwriting #writer #writersofinstagram #writerlife #hopewriter #faithwalk #storytelling #story #lifeinthemiddle

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your hea

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” William Wordsworth

What are the breathings of your heart?

For me … hope. And healing. And encouragement. Words that first stirred in me and, soon, words I hope will encourage you to see goodness and grace. 💜

. . . . . . . . . .

#amwriting
#writer
#writing
#writerlife
#lifeinthemiddle
#midlife
#midlifewomen
#hope
#hopewriter
#hopewriterlife
#writings
#writersofinstagram
#rockport #sunset

A gentle reminder … You are loved with an e

A gentle reminder …

You are loved

with an everlasting love.

No matter what.

#love #lovequotes #everlastinglove #hope #goodnight #encouragement #encouragingwords #lifeinthemiddle ##hopefortoday #faith #water #watersounds #shells

A prayer for the start of your day: Thank you, Lo

A prayer for the start of your day:

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this never-been-used-day, for breathe in our lungs, and the abundant mercies that await as our day begins.

We praise you as the Creator and Sustainer of life, for the strength you give because of your love.

Align our hearts with yours, even when we can’t see the way. Remind us of your Presence when we feel alone. Grant us wisdom and compassion as we interact with those around us.

Today, in this moment, we choose to trust you even in our uncertainty. For as the heavens declare - you are good, and your love endures forever! Amen

#morning #goodmorning #morningprayer #morninginspiration #lifeinthemiddle #prayer #hopefortoday #amwriting #writerlife

I am so glad God doesn’t give up on us, or the d

I am so glad God doesn’t give up on us, or the dreams he sets in our hearts.

Joseph dreamed of leading long before he was a leader.

David was anointed king years before he was King.

Jesus, the Messiah, was written about decades upon decades before he was born in Bethlehem.

God is not against allowing us to wait for his plan to unfold.

While I’m not Joseph, David, and definitely not Jesus … I believe God continues to work out his plan through my life.

For that, I am grateful.

👉🏼 Question for you - what dream are you waiting to see unfold?

#gratitude #grateful #amwriting #writer #faithwriter #hope #hopewriter #hopewriterlife #writelife #lifeinthemiddle

A blessing for your day. Today. Today there is

A blessing for your day.

Today.

Today there is enough.

Enough of His grace.

Enough of His mercy.

Enough of His peace and strength.

Enough of His presence.

For what carried you yesterday is new today in abundance. His love for you is enduring, and never runs out.
. . . . . . . . . .
#goodmorning #morning #morningmotivation #sunrise #sunrises #faith #morningvibes #lifeinthemiddle #encouragement #prayer #breathe #breathprayer #soulcare #hopewriterlife #amwriting #writerlife

Dear Mom & Dad, While today is a day for celebrat

Dear Mom & Dad,

While today is a day for celebrating your 58 years of marriage, I want to pause to say thank you.

Thank you for choosing each other six decades ago, and for choosing each other every day since.

It’d be easy to scroll through these snapshots of your life and see all of the good. And there’s been a lot - and for that, I am also grateful.

Many don’t have the kind of life you created for us, for each other. I see that now.

Dad, you determined to give Mom a life with more than what you both grew up with. Thank you for your hard work, steadfastness, and deep love for her. I see it in the way you look at her, even six decades later.

Mom, you chose to serve Dad and truly put him first. Thank you for displaying what sacrifice, patience, honor, and unconditional love looks like.

I’m not naive (anymore) to know the good we see also blurs dips and valleys. Thank you for pressing on through days you probably wanted to give up and choosing to believe the best in one another until what you believed was seen.

Today we celebrate you, your ever-growing love for each other, and the 58 years you’ve had to practice loving well. Happy anniversary!

I love you bigger than the miles that separate us,

Your daughter

#happyanniversary #family #lifeinthemiddle #love #lovestory #enduringlove #legacy #legacies #thisislove

Sit here a moment. Breathe. Breathe in God’s l

Sit here a moment.

Breathe.

Breathe in God’s love.

Exhale.

Worry.

Doubt.

Uncertainty.

Repeat.

#besidestillwaters #soulcare #selfcare #quietevening #breathe #peaceful #peace #lifeinthemiddle #prayer #breathprayer #bestill #enduringfaith

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