BLACK LIVES MATTER

I was 8-years-old when James Byrd Jr., a black man, was gruesomely murdered by three white men in my hometown. As for myself and many of my peers, the aftermath of this hate-crime left an imprint on our young minds. Personally, I will never wrap my head around it.

As years pass by I see and hear all that goes on. I can never experience the torment, but I can stand with black men and women, my brothers and sisters.

I can only imagine what it is like to raise black boys to be men in a society that degrades them before knowing them. With the recent tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery and now George Floyd, my heart continues to break. Maybe my color makes me irrelevant to fully understanding the pain, but, as a human, I can empathize of knowing pain itself. 

I‘m sorry for not speaking out sooner.

I’m disturbed by the increase in modern day hate-crimes.

I’m afraid of the actions of others that I cannot control.

Inside, I’m burdened for our country to open their eyes. I’m tired of people saying they don’t see color. If you choose to be color-blind you are choosing to be blind to the white privilege that exists. To be blind is to remain in the dark where these hate-crimes continue to take place. Light needs to be shed for color to be seen and for JUSTICE to prevail.

Color is important because it shows culture, diversity, and beauty. It's not just skin deep, color has roots and history attached. That history is valid and black people are ALWAYS valid.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” [Romans‬ ‭12:9-10‬]

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Many of us have heard the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” As a mom, this proverb speaks volumes and I was stirred with a word this morning that urged me to add more.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — to remain hopeful.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — to show kindness.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — to give without expectation.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — to unite when apart.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE — to feel love.

It takes villages around the world to remember why we’re here in the first place. It’s not about the economy or lack of toilet paper. It’s about the village; our communities, families that we cherish, and friends that we love.

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder” — reigns with even more truth, now. It’s about holding onto hope that we will hug one another, again.

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” 

-Psalms‬ ‭91:11‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

I love my village, each of you, always.

-Katie

HEART VALVE DISEASE AWARENESS

Over the years I have been very transparent with the life I live. From running marathons to fitness competitions, from career choices to health struggles, and from the loss of family to my faith; I have spoken my truth. However, this is one piece I haven’t wanted to share. I’ve kept it close to my heart, literally.

I don’t want to share for sympathy or empathy. Knowledge of this struggle is an answered prayer to myself and my husband. I’m sharing for those that feel they are struggling alone to simply say, “I’m struggling, too.”

February 11th of 2020, just before my 30th Valentine’s Birthday, I was diagnosed with MVR (Mitral Valve Regurgitation). This a form of HVD (Heart Valve Disease) that is likely congenital and cannot be reversed. After years of frustration, from medical testing that resulted in misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis, I finally learned that every symptom I have been enduring had a source. Finally, my cardiologist had an answer.

As many know, in 2004 I had a brother pass away from heart disease at 31 years of age and because of that piece of my family history my heart disease didn’t go unnoticed any longer. My age has always thrown off doctors, but my will to find the source of my health problems has persevered. My mitral valve will need to be replaced or repaired at some point, but when is an unknown.

No two days are the same, each one is taken in stride, and every moment counted as a blessing. With God guiding the way and my family by my side — my heart continues beating.

#HeartDiseaseAwareness

#ValveDiseaseDay

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

PURPOSE OVER PAIN — TRIUMPH FROM FAILURE

We have this idea or notion of who we are going to be.

Then, when we don’t become the idea or notion of who we thought we would be we regard it as failure. We say that we fail because we didn’t become the idea of what an 18-year-old teenager thought of us.

As we age — we evolve. 

As we evolve — we transform.

God didn’t spend an eternity waiting to plant you into the universe for the idea of your fleshly teenage dreams, but for the purpose of Himself — we are God’s purpose. He created us to fulfill His purpose.

As I enter into 2020, and ponder what my 30th Valentine Birthday will look like, I think of who my 18-year-old self wanted me to be. I praise God I was her, but thank God I am not her. 

For over a decade I have had many failures, but I am not the failure. Out of failure I have accomplished some of life’s greatest triumphs. Out of deep and seemingly irrevocable pain I found (and choose to keep finding) a higher purpose. Out of valleys I have climbed the tallest mountains of my life and my strength had nothing to do with it. God used me as a vessel, just as He wants to do with each of us.

Where He leads — I will follow. 

When I am weak — God is stronger.

Here && now. 

That’s where I’m meant to be.

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie 

TRUST YOUR EXAMPLE

As we are promoted in position someone has to have faith and trust in our ability. If God, the one who created us all, had enough faith in NOT JUST His perfect son Jesus, but in the example He would set — why can’t we?

God didn’t JUST trust Jesus, but He trusted that the example would also change the lives of others. I feel He also had to have trust that we as humans would transform. God had so much FAITH and LOVE in US that He sent His ONE and ONLY son to die for our sins!!

So, next time you doubt your ability or the capability of another just think about how much God trusted His son and His example. Trust God that He set you in a position to promote others and trust the example He allowed you to set for others.

Whether it be in a workplace or in your children (I allow y’all to come back in 15 years and tell me the same thing about my own daughter and the example I set for her) you are positioned to lead, but you can’t lead WELL unless you FOLLOW Christ and the example He set for us, first.

When God gives perspective — life is never the same.

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie