Thursday, May 8, 2014

Grateful - Oh Yes I Am



Five Minute Friday

So...it has been a few weeks since I have participated in Five Minute Friday.  It was a case of me letting busyness rule.  No more. 

Five Minute Friday is all about letting go and being free.  Lisa-Jo shares a word prompt and we go for five minutes.  Five minutes of being free and unedited.  It is an amazing time with amazing people.  After you write, you share and you read, you learn and you grow.  It is pretty amazing.  Join us by heading to Lisa-Jo's Five Minute Friday Post

Today's prompt is GRATEFUL.


GO


If I look back at my life to where I am right now, I can't help but be grateful.

Back story:  In 2005, I moved 3000 miles away from home to get away from an abusive relationship.  That relationship was five years too long.  Through those five years, I lost all confidence in myself and lost all hope.  Moving was a desperate act, because no matter how hard I tried, I could not get away from this man.  He showed up everywhere.

For two months, my son and I lived off of savings, and I decompressed.  I spent a lot of time in prayer and a lot of time healing.  My family in California counseled me and loved on me.  I needed those two months, but when month three came up, I needed to find a job.  I began sending out resumes and filling out applications.  I took lots of tests and waited. 

Nothing.

Finally when down to my last $40, I knew I was nearing the end of my rope.  I had to get a job.  I was on the way home from a job interview, and wanted to head home to freshen up before heading out for another step in an application process.  I began to cry.  I was scared.  Things weren't working out too well.  I just didn't feel good about my last interview.  Even the ones that I had felt good about didn't end up with a job. 

Suddenly the song that had been playing in the background seemed louder.

"Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
"


As tears streamed down my face, I pulled the car over and listened to the song.

"I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
"


It was as if God reached right out to me right there in my car.  At the time, I didn't even know who sang the song, but I knew God used it to show me His love.

I pulled myself together and drove back home.  I freshened up and headed out to the next opportunity.  I timidly applied for the job and was given an interview immediately.  I was then hired, and I passed a background check in an hour.  When I shared this with my co-workers they were stunned.  It took them months to complete the process.  The uniform for this job was supplied.  All I needed was to get shoes.  Twenty of my $40 paid for my shoes and the final $20 went to gas for my commute. 

I am so grateful that God saw me (never stopped watching over me really) in that moment and showed me His deep love.  

Here's where it gets pretty crazy cool.  Eight years later I was married to my soul mate (6 years married now), working in Christian radio and was given the opportunity to interview the person who wrote and sang that song.  Best of all, I got to thank him for it (minor PS - My program director only told me I was interviewing Matthew West 10 minutes before it was to happen, because he didn't want me to freak out...PPS I freaked out anyway).  It was like God gave me the opportunity to go full circle.

Life is not always going to be easy.  I know this.  I also know that God saw me through the worst and shared with me His best.

How cool is our God? 

How grateful am I? 

Very.

STOP

Oh...here's a link to that song.  Still gets me every time.


21 comments:

  1. Kelly, your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Oh Lisa Michele, thank you so much for stopping by. I still cry when I think of how amazing our God is. He literally has stunned me with his love.

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  2. Kelly!
    Tears are streaming down my cheeks... that song... your testimony. Girl- I could hug you! Your words have reached over and given me light to look up into the face of the One who calls me by name. Thank you for sharing!

    ~Brandi

    (Hi from FMF and Compel!)
    www.faith2shine.com

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    1. Brandi! Thank you my Compel and FMF sister! I really just cannot believe how great our God is. There is no way I could ever doubt His movement in our lives. I am so grateful to Him. He loves you so, my friend. :) God bless you. Thank you for visiting today. Your words have been a blessing to me.

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  3. Keep sharing your story! God IS good! Visiting from fmf

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by Jamie. What a blessing your visit has been!

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  4. Hey neighbor and friend. Grateful for you: for your words to me on my post tonight; for your words in the sweet card; for being part of this community and writing brave with your story. I have my own echoes I'm hearing in so much of what you're sharing. I know this story. Thank you for blessing us with this and for being willing to put out this beautiful testimony of redemption and love to encourage others. I lifted up by what you've written here! Your story points to God's incredible grace, love, and perfect timing in all things. Have a blessed weekend friend!

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    1. Hello beautiful Rebekah! I am just completely blessed by your wisdom and encouragement. I am so grateful for our Lords grace and reminders of love. Thank you for coming by today. I am blessed by your heart.

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  5. It's amazing how God brings us just what we need, right when we need it. And how cool that you got to interview Matthew West (I hope you told him your story!).

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    1. I did. Fortunately I was the last interview of the day so after I did my interview, I asked if he had a few more moments so I could share something with him. It was such a wonderful opportunity from God. Most Christian artists are very willing to share with listeners and hear their testimonies, but time is not always good for a long one. :) I met him two years before I interviewed him when he had stopped by my station's booth at a concert to apologize for missing an interview and I just burst into tears. I never do that. LOL

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  6. Wow, this is an awesome testimony, Kelly! Yes, you do have a lot to be grateful for, as do I. God never fails to amaze me how he knits our lives together just perfectly so For His Glory! Love you, Meredith

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    1. Hello my dear friend! So blessed to have you stop by. It really amazes me how God works so much for His good. This is just the tiniest glimpse, but for me it was definitely profound. To God be the glory! Thanks for stopping by today my friend! I couldn't look at all the great posts this morning (busy day at the studio) but I am definitely going to be visiting. You totally intrigued me with your tweet last night. :)

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  7. WOW! Glory to God! It is always amazing that God provides and makes a way when we don't see it or don't think it's coming. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I know that God brought me to your blog today for a reason. Thanks for reminding me of His goodness and that everything happens in His time.

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    1. Thank you so much for coming by Laila. Other than knowing that God certainly was speaking to me through a song that day, I surely had no idea how God would continue to work and put things in place to get me to where I am now. He is amazing. No one would ever be able to convince me that God does not love or care about us. I know he is there and fully aware. :) Thanks again for visiting and blessing me with your words.

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  8. Isn't it funny how God takes you down to the last $40 (that you're going to need), figuratively speaking, but he still doesn't let you down. It's amazing, and I've seen it time and time again in my life and in other's lives too. And I am grateful as well. :)

    I'm glad you moved on and healed. And now I'm going to go listen to the song.

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting. Yep. He really is amazing. The job I got thanks to God was a huge blessing. They paid for my medical and my son's. Provided one meal a day. I also was able to make enough money to help family when they were in need. What an amazing God! Thank you for always being so encouraging!

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  9. What a cool story! How awesome that God touched you with that song, and then you got to interview Matthew West later! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Marie! It certainly was something I never expected. I am so grateful to the Lord for reaching out in just the way I needed at that moment. :) Thank you for stopping by today.

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  10. Oh, I love a full-circle moment! I quit college to marry my former spouse who was an abuser. Escaping with a 5-yr old and 7-yr old made me think I'd never see that degree completed. But prior to my 40th birthday I walked the stage with college degree in hand and my two children sitting in the audience. God clearly repays the years the locusts have eaten! Thanks for sharing your story of gratitude!

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    1. What a beautiful testimony to your strength and our Lord's faithfulness! Thank you for sharing Holly! I am so glad you overcame!

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