Can you see me?
Surround yourself with people who have the ability to speak life into you, even when you didn't realize you needed it.
This weekend I have been blessed to hear from 2 dear friends who have taken the time to remind me of who I am and have always been. They have the special skill of seeing me, even when I can’t see myself. We need people like this around to keep us living in truth. People rely on me a lot to have answers about things and to offer words of advice and encouragement. Rarely is that favor returned the way it has been this weekend.
The first call I got yesterday, started with an early morning text message. It was about 3am to be exact. I sleep with my phone on silent so I didn't see the text until I woke up. I immediately burst into tears. It wasn't bad news or anything. They were actually grateful tears. My friend had texted me a video of… Me. It was a video of our 8th grade graduation. I was delivering my valedictorian speech. It was muffled but I could hear myself say, "Always believe in yourself. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't." I watched a little girl with all the confidence in the world encourage others, while she herself was living in a nightmare that no one knew about. I spoke about always putting God first in your life and that He would never steer you wrong. Even in 8th grade I knew that faith was the only hope I had of making it out.
As I reflected on my words, I couldn't help but to be impressed by the wisdom I had at such a young age. Who knew that those words would be placed back into my lap 20+ years later at a time when I most needed them? Who knew that my 8th grade self would grow up to help other 8th grade girls to believe in themselves? Who knew that my 8th grade self would become a life coach, charged with helping people discover their destiny and God-given purpose? Who knew???
The 2nd friend called a few short moments ago and is the reason why I sat down and started to write. I'm trying to do better at being obedient when God tells me to do that, because the way my procrastination is set up...
My friend called to ask me if I knew what my name meant. I knew I had looked it up before, but my mind is still in vacation mode and I didn't know I was having a pop quiz today. I searched my brain cells and came up with royalty. It's a piece of the puzzle, but not the full picture. He began to tell me about my name. I'm a complete nerd when it comes to stuff like this, so I couldn't just stop at our conversation. God had clearly sent him on assignment.
Kimberland
Kim-Ber-Land
Kim: royal
Ber: fortress
Land (Earth): life
Kim (ROYAL)
I grew up on royal street in New Orleans as a child. I used to think this to be a coincidence. But as I keep living I'm reminded that all things happen on purpose with purpose. Royal indicates having great value and worth, standing out and set apart from the norm, having kingly power and authority.
Y'all I try so hard to just blend in sometimes. I'm a natural introvert and often choose to observe and watch instead of engage. This never works, though. Ever. No matter where I go, I walk into rooms and people notice me. I've grown to just expect it. I'm not "normal," whatever that means. I'm set apart to be different. I've learned to accept that. Something else I know about royalty, is that they have a certain way of commanding attention, even when they aren't trying to. It's the authority and power that they walk in. People respect them. What I now know is that when people see me they respect the God in me (click here for a commercial break). My mother used to always say, "Favor ain't fair." There's so much truth in that statement. God's favor is real and doesn't conform to man's understanding. God's favor rests on me so that people may be drawn to Him. I don't take that lightly.
Ber (FORTRESS)
A fortress is a castle or other large strong building, or a well-protected place, which is intended to be difficult for enemies to enter. Another definition states, a person or thing not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance.
Sometimes I absolutely detest being looked at as strong. It's a backhanded compliment really. Because I'm strong, people assume I've got it all together. Many times I don't. People also assume that things don't bother you because you're so strong. I've become much more intentional these days at making sure I fill up my cup before attempting to pour out onto others. I'm doing a much better job at taking care of me. This holiday season was much harder than I expected it to be. It hit me out of nowhere. I thought I was doing a great job at keeping it together. But somehow all the stuff was unpacked out of my "not going home for the holidays" box and it became a lot to deal with. I'm in the middle of experiencing a new normal for my life that has me in a weird place. But what I was reminded of today, is that strength is woven into my DNA. And I thank God that I've learned how to use His strength instead of my own. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I'm happy to put my strength aside to embrace His. He's much better at it anyway.
Land (Earth) [LIFE]
I'm 37 years old and I have no children. It's not that I don't want any. I just haven't yet met the husband who will tackle parenthood with me. When I have my down moments, I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to bring life into this world. If I'll ever have the chance to nurture life. Then I get calls like I did this weekend. Though I haven't become a mother in the birthing a child sense, I have done quite my part in bringing forth and nurturing life. That realization reminds me that I am fulfilling my purpose, even if it doesn't look like I thought it would. God is trusting me with the lives and hearts of His precious children. And I, get to speak and breathe life into them. Each encounter with a student, client, friend or family member gives me a chance to enhance their life. I am a Life Giver. I am a Life Enhancer. I am a Dream Awakener.
I'd like for you to do 2 things for me. Well, for you.
1. Identify 2 friends that you can have a conversation with this week. When you call/talk to them ask them what they see in you that you need to see more of in yourself. Resist the urge to combat what they are saying and just receive. Allow them to tell you about how they view you.
2. Look up the meaning of your name. I can promise that even if you have a creative name like mine that you will find revelation in the core meaning. Once you figure out the meaning, spend sometime reflecting on the qualities and characteristics that you have that confirm that meaning. There's power in a name. I'd like you to find yours the way I did mine.
