What's in a Title?
When I decided to set up my blog, it was kind of on a whim. I mean, I'd been thinking about it for months, but last night, while checking some other friends blogs, I noticed the link: Create a Blog, and so without another thought I began the process.
So, when I came to the part where I had to name the blog, it slowed me down a bit. What to name my blog... Hmmm. So I started thinking about who I am, what my life entails, how others view me, and how I want people to think of me.... some pretty heavy thinking - and I'm not sure how it happened, but kind of all at once these three words came to me.
Smiles
Prayers
Grace
"Smiles," because I am in general a positive person.... because I like to smile and make others smile.... because smiles make me happy... because the act of smiling can actually lift your spirits (Don't believe me? Go ahead and try it!)... because my life is filled with kids who can smile at the simplest of things, which makes me smile... because I want others to smile when they think of me. :)
"Prayers" because, well, I need them... because prayers connect me to my Creator who gives me purpose... because my days are filled with different kinds of them: prayers of desperation, prayers for friends in crisis, prayers for patience with my kiddos, prayers for forgiveness, prayers for those who are hurting, prayers for guidance, prayers of thanks... Now I'm not the kind who spends hours on my knees (or even minutes, for that matter) and many of my prayers are not the kind you'd think of (Dear God... Amen.) My prayers are kind of a constant connection to a God who loves me. He hears me through my thoughts, my actions, my purposefulness, my cries, and my conversations. One day I aspire to more depths of praying, like maybe spending hours on my knees, but for now the "as I go" praying is the best way I know how, and it works!
"Grace" because I love grace, an undeserved pardon! ... because I'm in need of grace every day - from God and everyone else ...and because I strive to have it for others, too. When I show grace to others, my world and theirs, shines a little bit brighter. And when others find it in their hearts to show grace toward me, I am humbled and so grateful. I know I'm far from perfect, and grace covering that is something I'll never fully understand - although I love trying! Yes, I love the mystery of grace!
So, there you go.... the title of my blog. Maybe I'll change it someday. But for now, I think it really gives a glimpse of what's important to me - the essence of Kim, if you will.
