As I sit here on the cusp of a new year, I have the urge to reflect on the year that has just swiftly passed before I bid 2009 adieu.There was so much turmoil and change in this world that it's almost hard to stop the clock from ticking with enough time to consider everything that happened. MJ passed, Natasha Richardson, Brittany Murphy... the economy was plunged even deeper into a recession thanks to our idiot president and his Congressional cronies, the price and cost of living surged along with our deficit and the erosion of family values and morality happened even more quickly.
BUT, there was good.
My brother and my beautiful sister in law were married. I did not lose anyone in my family- and I welcomed several new and great friends into my life. My baby sister has furthered her photography career even more to the point where friends of friends are asking for referrals (YES!)- and my other big brother bought his first home. Both of my parents have continued to be successful in their career, and I moved in with my best friend who has become one of the biggest and most invaluable blessings of everyone in my life. My sister-in-law's sister (default, they have become my family too!) welcomed little baby Landon into the family, her brother Josh graduated college early, and my other best friend of years just got engaged!
God's favor and his fingerprints are all OVER my life and the lives of those I love, and I can honestly say that 2009 has been one amazing year. It was not devoid of personal struggle - I endured yet another melanoma surgery but at least this time the severity of my struggle has sunk into my mind and I'm looking forward with a renewed, responsible perception of what lays before me. I sadly ended friendships that were no longer healthy to be a part of, made mistakes but learned from them, and through it all, discovered new parts of who I am as a woman of God.
I would say that out of everything that happened in my life this year, that would be the biggest triumph. Discovering parts of my identity is an essential part of my growth in Jesus Christ, and it has caused me to ask myself one question: What is my legacy?
People know me now because I love to laugh, I try to be a dependable and trustworthy friend, and I love to encourage people. I have had several people tell me throughout my life that there's a light about me they don't see in anyone else - and every time I tell my middle name (Joy), I get the exact same reaction: that is so perfect for you!
But I want to go even deeper than those things about myself. What do they think about my character? Am I someone they look up to and admire, or do they say "Hey I like this one thing about her, but..." and take exception to the rest of who I am? Would they say I've helped them in their lives, or have I passed them by? My greatest desire throughout my life has been to one day become a wife and then an amazing mother, but even above that, when I die I want to hear just one phrase out of the mouth of my Lord: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Have I lived my life so that everything I say and do honors the One who gave me life? Because if I slip up, it's okay, but if I make a habit of asking for forgiveness and repeating the same mistakes, I need to more closely examine what I'm doing with my life. Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results." I was not created to be insane, so to avoid that in my life, with 2010 I won't make ridiculous "I won't eat sweets and I won't eat bread and I'll exercise every hour" resolutions. I'll make a simple resolution - the same one I made the middle of this year that completely changed my life and my attitude.
In 2010, I, Kimberly Joy Chidester, resolve to seek God's Will and honor Him with all of me. I resolve to be more humble, to sacrifice more for those I love, and to give more of myself to do God's will, to bind up the brokenhearted and help the lost and broken.
I'd like to invite you to question yourself, to start the journey of discovering what legacy you will leave behind. I shared a picture of my grandfather and me because he is a vital part of who I am today. Most of you know that I'm incredibly passionate about politics and my love for this country. Both of my grandfathers, Austin "Bud" Chidester (pictured above) and Joe Chmura were decorated war veterans from another generation. I spent more time with Poppop Chidester, but both men instilled in me a love for this country, as well as a passion to defend her and the liberties our forefathers fought so hard to gain. I hope that's another characteristic about me that people remember, how much I love America.
As I did my bible study this morning, I stumbled across two verses about God and who He is that really struck me. Phillippians 2:9-11 states "Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and the glory of God the father." WOW. Imagine, just His name instills reverence - and that's without mentioning what He has done for us. The power of the One who died for us, who loves us with all of who He is - and who would do anything for us? Talk about a legacy!
One more verse stuck out to me as I read through the Word. When we feel down in life, it's easy sometimes to slip into what my dad calls the "victim mentality," where everything is "woe is me." When I read these words in Hebrews 2:3, I was really taken aback: "Consider Him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart." When you journey through this path you're on, do not lose heart. Keep fighting the good fight, because one day you'll break through that paper boundary at the finish line and you'll come out the other side thanking God for the trials you've endured.
As this chapter in our lives entitled "2009" closes, I want to speak a blessing over you. It is my hope that this year, you discover the destiny God has set aside for you. That you feel joy and peace, and as you wake up each day, you're greeted by a renewed faith that Jesus Christ will reveal himself to you in a new way with each new dawn.
If there's anything I know about our Father, it is that he is faithful beyond all comprehension. I hope in 2010, you feel that security as much as I have come to.
Parting thought:
If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down - Mary Pickford
Talk soon.
