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Love Challenge Day 4- Be thoughtful

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on February 3, 2023 in Joy Unspeakable! Inspiration from my heart to yours., Love Challenge

You are the answer to every prayer I’ve offered. You are a song, a dream, a whisper, and I don’t know how I could have lived without you for as long as I have.”
― Nicholas Sparks

“Young Noah: So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.  – The Notebook

When people first fall in love they can’t stop thinking about one another. Can’t stop thinking what to do to impress this incredible person? After a while, life sets in and routines happen and comfortable becomes more comfortable. “A woman deeply longs for a man to be thoughtful. It is key to making her feel loved. When she speaks, a WISE man will listen like a detective to discover the unspoken needs and desires her words imply (or she says clearly). If however, she always has to put the pieces together for him, it steals the opportunity for him to demonstrate that he loves her.” (Kendricks, The  Love Dare)

Ladies, men need thoughtfulness too! They may not need it to feel as secure as women, but they need it too. You shouldn’t be the only giver. You shouldn’t be the only receiver. It takes two. If both people are thinking of the other, treating their relationship like a ministry, how may I serve this person…win/win.

Thoughtfulness thinks before speaking. “The thoughtful nature of love teaches you to engage your mind before engaging your lips. It filters words through a grid of truth and kindness.” (Kendricks)

The challenge today is simply to be thoughtful:

Ask your loved one if there is anything you can do for them today. Call or text them throughout the day to let them know they are on your mind. If you live with them, actually go to the room they are in and ask if you can do anything for them, tell them you miss them, or hey, just wanted to be near you.

My cousin’s husband is the most thoughtful person I’ve ever known. He has written her a love note every single day of their entire marriage. Yes. Every single day. He had to buy her a trunk to keep them in. He is thoughtful in making sure she has something in her hand every day saying he loves her. Maybe your loved one wouldn’t appreciate a note. What is their love language? What makes them feel loved by you? Do that. You did it yesterday? Whatever you said and did yesterday is great for yesterday, but what did you do today? Be thoughtful today. We don’t know if we have tomorrow. Carpe diem.

Men, if all else fails and you can’t think of anything to say or do, then hey, borrow one of the amazing things Noah said to Allie in the Notebook. You can google it on that computer you have in your hand at all times. She won’t care that you stole it from Noah. It will be considered thoughtful that you thought to google it and say it to her because you were looking for romantic words. You will get a gold star for knowing Noah (Nicholas Sparks) is the expert on romantic words to go to for advice.

Thoughtfully,

Kim

2.4.18 revised

07.01.14

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Love Challenge Day 3 – Giving Love

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on February 3, 2023 in Joy Unspeakable! Inspiration from my heart to yours., Love Challenge

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ― Charles Dickens

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Hopefully, everyone continued with the 2 tips from the last 2 days: Don’t say anything negative and an unexpected gesture/act of kindness…

Day 3 – LOVE IS NOT SELFISH

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

Love is not selfish. Should we write this 100 times? Love is not selfish.

I don’t think I believe true love is possible if it is in the midst of selfishness. “Selfishness is like a disease that suffocates our capacity to love…Love beautifully finds its satisfaction in the welfare of others. Loving couples are bent on humbling themselves and taking good care of the other flawed human with whom they have chosen to share their lives. They understand that by getting married, they are giving themselves away and releasing the right to live the rest of their lives for themselves. It’s putting the happiness of their partner before their own.” (Kendrick, The Love Dare)

“Unselfish people are a perpetual delight. They make amazing friends and spouses. They are willing to set their own demands aside and lose themselves in the joy of loving, serving, and giving to another…Determine to be the first to demonstrate real love to them, with your eyes wide open.” (Kendrick)

Today’s Challenge:

Continue avoiding negative statements. Kendrick suggests buying something today that says “I was thinking about you today.” I add that it doesn’t have to be expensive. That’s right! A single flower speaks “I was thinking of you today” as much as a dozen. Another unselfish act…offer to watch a movie you know your loved one enjoys. Do a chore for them before they ask…clean out their car or unload the dishwasher perhaps. Little presents have grand messages of love. “It’s the thought that counts” is so true. Presents of the heart…words, gifts, listening to a song they enjoy, cuddling when you aren’t a cuddler, writing a love poem when you aren’t a poet, offering a massage, write a post about how awesome they are on FB, giving to them…unselfishness.

Givers love giving and will do it usually whether the other party gives or not. Isn’t that unfortunate though? Who deserves unselfish love more than an unselfish person? We are all selfish in our own ways, but there are certainly the givers and the takers of the world. Givers may be glad to give for quite some time, but often they empty so much love that their own love bank never receives deposits. They find one day they are not able to believe in the love of the taker any longer. Giving and love…the 2 cannot be torn apart.

Go…what are you waiting on? Go give!

Kim Crawford

02.02.18 revised

06.30.14

 

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Love Challenge Day 2 – Active Love, Do something that will be written on the tablet of your hearts.

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on February 2, 2023 in Joy Unspeakable! Inspiration from my heart to yours., Love Challenge

“If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize  a negative circumstance, kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance. Patience avoids a problem. Kindness creates a blessing. Kindness thinks ahead then takes the FIRST step. When operating from kindness you are careful how you treat your spouse (loved one)…even if you need to say hard things. Helpfulness means you meet the needs of the moment. Willingness – kindness inspires you to be agreeable.” (Kendrick, The Love Dare)

Active Love Today –

Continue from yesterday in making sure you say nothing negative. Add to that the action of doing one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. pg. 7

Let’s go beyond an act of kindness that is EASY. Do something grand. Make a memory with your loved one today. Do something he/she will never forget, something they might write on a note and stick in their Bible, will tell the grandkids, will tell everyone about you when you pass away someday. Make today the day you take the first step of being extraordinary…loving like Christ. Dying to self. Why not fill the heart of another person with amazing love? God filled yours, let it pour into them.

If you haven’t read Redeeming Love, a fictional story based on Hosea and Gomer in the Bible, then read it. Men, you too! I know a doctor that said it changed his life. This book…based on Biblical example…is the kind of love men are to have for women. Men, women are a gift for you from God. After God made Adam, He said that it wasn’t good for man to be alone, therefore He created Eve for Adam. Think about that. When you have something you treasure, how do you treat it? You take extra special care to preserve it for your whole life and to leave it to your kids. The greatest gift you will leave for your children is to teach them God’s love, and the best way you do that is by showing them how to love your spouse the way God loves you. It is possible to have enduring, lasting, beautiful love. You just have to accept the gift and cherish it. From Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers:

 

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32)

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3).

Take the first step today. Do something kind. Do something kind and amazing! Do something today that will be written on the tablet of your hearts!

Go love!

Kim Crawford

revised 2.2.18

6.29.14

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Love Challenge Day 1 – Patient Love

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on February 1, 2023 in Love Challenge, Relationships
I do highly recommend you buy a copy of the Love Dare and do it 1 month every single year. The greatest gift God gives you is the heart of another to blend with your own and love the way He does. The Bible teaches that our children must grow up and leave and cleave to their own spouses, but we are to join our hearts wholly with another in covenant relationship. Love needs continual maintenance and care to grow. We do more maintenance and spend more time on our cars, air conditioning units, hobbies, etc., than we do our love relationships. If you have a romantic love in your life, cherish that person! You have a treasure.

“Love is built on 2 pillars that define what it is. Those pillars are patience and kindness. And that’s where your dare will begin. With patience. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your loved one at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you will regret.” (Kendrick, The Love Dare)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,bearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2)

Whoever said “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” does not have the same processor in his/her heart and brain that I do. Words hurt worse. Words stay imprinted far longer than a bruise or scrape. What a gift we have to offer in knowing a simple word of love and encouragement can bring such joy to another! If only we would practice this one act of love, hold our tongues and ask for understanding rather than offer accusation, give a compliment rather than a criticism, and tell a loved one “tell me more” “I’m so sorry” “I love you” and “may I hold you” when they are hurting rather than offer judgment over their feelings…what a difference we would see in our relationships. Remember, people will feel, what they feel, when they feel it. You can tell them not to tell YOU how they feel, and they may tell someone else, but that doesn’t make them stop feeling. It is normal to have emotions. We all do. God does. We are made in His image. Jesus is love. Love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

So, love dare no. 1…don’t say anything negative. Hey, take another step and say something amazing.

Loving to love,

Kim

1.31.18 revised

6.28.14

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unfolding grief

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on February 24, 2022 in Joy Unspeakable! Inspiration from my heart to yours.

Unfolding Grief

Grief has no on/off switch to flip

It is a bittersweet tea that must be slowly sipped

It is composed of many ingredients, layered, and piled so high

There are no explanations for it is buried in the soul’s cry

It takes patience, compassion, and an unfolding of memories and pain

At times it will come as a heavy, stinging rain

Other times it will be a mist, that kisses lightly on the skin

As you feel their presence so close once again

So, whether grief has come to you, or someone you love

Know the unfolding takes strength from above

Cry when the tears roll down your cheeks

As emotions are overwhelming in the coming days and weeks

Reach out for a hug from a friend who will care

That person that knows the importance of being near

Scream from a mountaintop when you need to release

Be still and breathe deeply to draw in some peace

Give yourself time; give yourself grace

Include what you need within your sacred space

Allow it to happen; allow it to be

For grief is as deep as the depths of the sea                         

Some days the waves will engulf and knock you to your knees

Other days you will stand and inhale the gentle breeze

Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks 09.24.15; 02/24/2022                  

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Quiet Waters of Sisterhood

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on September 4, 2021 in Joy Unspeakable! Inspiration from my heart to yours., Quiet Waters

Cindy Dixon Ms. Senior Alabama, 2020.I have been writing devotionals to send to the contestant and board members each week for the past month or so. Our theme was Quiet Waters based on Psalm 23, where our Shepherd leads us to quiet waters. 

I was going through the senses each week in seeking quiet waters. We covered sight, hearing, touch, and still had smell and taste remaining.

There was something greater to savor though in the last week, therefore I switched gears.

At the workshop a few weeks ago, as everyone finally had a face with a name, a beautiful thing happened.

The immediate bond we experienced was seen and felt. The employees of the church

saw it, heard it, felt it, smelled it, and tasted the sweetness of spirit within each of us.

They commented on the delight they felt as they watched women helping one another, laughing together,and encouraging one another. It was as if we were sorority sisters coming together after many years, yet most of us had never met in person. Ms. Senior Alabama, Cindy Dixon 2020, has talked about being Sister Queens many times in her reign. She was very touched by so many and has made lifelong friends in this sisterhood.

May I introduce my own soul sister: Dr. Penny Njoroge, 2020 1st Runner Up to 

Penny: I was born in Africa and grew up with one challenge and the next. Eventually, after overcoming many obstacles, I came to Alabama. I furthered my education and became a chaplain. I had no idea at the time the sisters I would gain throughout my physical and spiritual journey. One morning I was going through pre-surgery at the hospital and stepped into a bay, and asked a mother if she wanted prayer before her young daughter went to surgery.

Kim: The mother was me. My daughter had been ran over by a motorcycle and had to have several surgeries to put her all back together. The moment I met Chaplain Penny I knew she was my sister. She invited me to her home later and I explained I didn’t know what I was going to do with my Bible degree and asked about Chaplaincy. She said if I could it, you can, and with the support and encouragement of my sister Penny, I did. 

Penny: We would have never guessed when looking up at the stars from Africa to Alabama, we would one day be sister’s standing in the same light. Experiencing the sweetness of the Holy Spirit weaving threads of life and hope through each of us to form an unbreakable 

strand of strength.

Kim: So, let’s go together to quiet waters through the 23rd Psalm to open in prayer today:

(Kim states a verse in English, and Penny repeats in her native language and continue…)

The LORD is my dshepherd; I shall not ewant.

2  He makes me lie down in green fpastures.

He leads me beside still waters.1

3  He grestores my soul.

He hleads me in ipaths of righteousness2

for his jname’s sake.

4  Even though I kwalk through the valley of lthe shadow of death,3

I will mfear no evil,

for nyou are with me;

your orod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5  You pprepare a table before me

in qthe presence of my enemies;

you ranoint my head with oil;

my scup overflows.

6  Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall tdwell6 in the house of the LORD

forever.7c

*Invocation for Ms. Senior Alabama 2021.

Kim Crawford-Meeks

08/28/2021

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Quiet Waters – Touch

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on August 4, 2021 in Cast all of your cares - Coping with life, Quiet Waters

Quiet Waters – Touch


Many of the babies in our family liked holding the satin end of a blanket, Granny’s scarf, or something nice and silky. My daughter wanted to hold my hair or her own and twirl it. (This resulted in her having half her hair cut off by her father, due to a knot, therefore she had to have a side ponytail for a year, but that is a story for another day.) The point is that we all have something we touch that brings us comfort. We also have things we don’t like to touch. My friend has a terrible aversion to velvet and can’t be near it. My brother always said he had a “feel” in his sock. My daughter said her flannel sheets made her feet too soft (not sure what that means.)

We all have our likes and dislikes.
It is very important to know what we like and what comforts us, so that we can put that in our Toolbox for Coping. Take your “Quiet Waters” moment this week to think about what you touch or hold that comforts you. Quietly sit and breathe deeply as you imagine whatever it is. It may be something you don’t have access to any longer, but you can feel it and be comforted through your memories. Or perhaps it is something you have neglected and can start doing again. Maybe it is holding a smooth stone to remind you of your strength. Or maybe it is the silky feel of a rose petal as you remember that we all have opportunities to bloom again each day.

In Mark 3:29, we read a diseased woman said, “If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.”

Perhaps, imagining reaching out and touching the hem of the garment of Jesus. Whatever it is that you can touch, or imagine touching that brings you hope and comfort, take the time to stop beside your quiet waters and enjoy it.


Blessings, Kim

Kim Crawford-Meeks

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Quiet Waters – Sound

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on August 4, 2021 in Cast all of your cares - Coping with life, Quiet Waters

Often in life we find ourselves in circumstances we are not able to change. It could be a financial situation, relationship, legal issue, ailment, or a number of other things. We may not have the ability to change these circumstances or even how we feel about them. What we can do is change how we process these circumstances and feelings. Last week we talked about vision, therefore this week let’s talk about our sounds. Even if changing what we hear is only for a brief few moments, it does often help us escape. Sometimes that may mean stepping outside to listen to the birds, or going to another room where a tv is not on, or perhaps turning on music that lulls us to another time, place, or to sleep. Sometimes the greatest sound you can hear is your own breath. Being quiet, being still, and consciously breathing slowly and deeply. Listening to your breath and being thankful for your ability to take the next breath that comes. It even helps to place your hands over your ears so that you close out the noises of the world to listen to the sounds of your own soul, heart, and mind. You are allowed a break from it all. We all need those breaks. Vacations are very expensive, and yet we have the ability within ourselves to escape from it all right where we are.

Sounds

Sometimes you need to change your sounds,

Those same noises that are always around.

Those sounds that cause chaos, confusion, worry, or fear,

Make one forget all they hold dear.

Sometimes you need to hear something different from the norm,

These differing sounds will create new hopes, and new thoughts may form.

Maybe the ocean as it wanes and it waves,

Perhaps a new song from a day far away.

The sound of the wind is even different at times,

It provides sweet retreat as it lulls and it guides.

The sound of stillness – of quiet – of nothing at all,

The sound of your own soul as it gets up when you fall.

The sound of your own voice saying, “I will and I can.”

The sound from the heart that says, “You are strong, therefore stand.”

Quiet Waters. within. Listen. Breathe. Stand.

Kim Crawford-Meeks

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Quiet Waters – Vision

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on August 4, 2021 in Cast all of your cares - Coping with life, Quiet Waters

“And the Lord answered me: ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.’” Habakkuk 2:2-3

My friend said I should have such faith I could write my prayers in stone. I wrote over 50 prayers in a journal. Months later I read through the journal and realized all of my prayers were answered in some way. God’s presence and action was obvious in my life. Prayers are not always answered in the way we think they should be, but rather (in my Christian belief system) with God’s wisdom and timing.

I was an office manager for an Orthodontic office. Our attitudes became rather persnickety. I remembered what my friend said about demonstrating our faith by writing our prayers in stone. I climbed a hill in my heels and grabbed this big rock.

I plopped it down in that clean Ortho practice, and said, “Ok, we are better than our attitudes have been lately. We claim to have hope, yet we aren’t demonstrating it. Write what you believe in stone.” They all looked at me like I was crazy, but throughout the day their prayers of faith appeared on the rock. Of course, the rock has no power…it is a rock. This was our demonstration of faith. We loved sharing our prayers in this way and did this for many years. 

The Ms. Senior Alabama, Inc. organization encourages women that it is never too late. It is never too late to believe in yourself and to have hope. Regardless of what your belief system may be, have something you can believe in to the point of writing it in stone, and never stop believing in yourself.

A woman from Alabama who understood vision and hope like no other said, “The only thing worse than being blind, is having no vision.” ~Helen Keller

Please take time beside your “quiet waters” to see hope in yourself for today and tomorrow.

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Blessings,

Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks

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Quiet Waters

Posted by Kim Crawford Meeks on August 4, 2021 in Cast all of your cares - Coping with life, Quiet Waters

Breathe
We start this world with a breath. I personally didn’t breathe for 11 minutes when I was born. My mother thought I was dead, and the doctor told her I had severe brain damage. Well, my brother always told me I did, but here I am and God saved my brain in thatmiraculous way he does things. My mother’s Ob/Gyn stuck a tube down my throat and breathed for me and would not stopwhen they told him to. He didn’t give up on me. He later died in a plane crash. He did amazing things in medicine for Birmingham, ALand for a tiny little baby from Bradford, AL. He gave me the ability to think, feel, work, love…he gave me breath. God gave him thewisdom and heart to do this. So let’s begin our journey to quiet waters together with a breath.
A thought and breathing exercises for you to try:

Breathe Grace

Scientists at University of Virginia and Harvard conducted a research on stillness, meditation, and prayer perceived by many as doing nothing, a waste of time. They asked their students to sit alone in a room for 15 minutes. No phone, no gadgets, no tv, no books, no companion. They were shown a button that, if pressed, would deliver a static shock to their ankle. When left alone with nothing else to do, 67 % of men chose to shock themselves, and 25 % of the women did the same…. One person pressed the button 190 times! The author summarized their findings, “Most people seem to prefer to be doing something rather than nothing, even if that something is negative.” (July 2014 Issue of Science)

Take time to be.
Be aware of love.
Be aware of self.
Be aware of breath.
To breathe.
Breathe grace.
We feel yesterday but can’t change it.
We dream of tomorrow but can’t touch it yet.
We are right here. Right now.
There are 86,400 seconds in a day.
86,400 opportunities to receive grace.
86,400 opportunities to give grace.
Inhale grace. Exhale grace.
Breathe grace.
Be.

Kim Crawford Meeks 04/21/2020; 06/2021

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