Restored and Revived

We are honored to have Kim Stewart write today for the Dance With Jesus Birthday Beach Bash and Blog Tour.  How does Kim describe herself?

Kim Stewart

I’m Kim Stewart and I live in Texas with my husband Paul and our two teenage sons. I’m an inconsistent blogger who blogs about her inconsistent faith. Okay, I don’t really blog about that, but the inconsistency, yes it’s real.

God is shouting “the time is now” and He’s asking me to stop hiding, and start seeking.

I’m a stuffer who builds barriers. My default coping skill is to hide. Not only hide, but also distract myself with not-so-healthy “obsessions” to comfort me. These distractions have carried me through years of autism, death of family members, and broken relationships. All the while, fooling myself into believing I was seeking God at the same time.

I fondly remember the game of Hide & Seek from my childhood. You can’t do both, so it’s time to choose. I choose to stop hiding, and start seeking God with all my heart.

I imagine there might be other women out there who struggle with the same issue. If that’s you by chance, let’s create a new game together called Seek & Find. Let’s uncover our hiding places, seek God daily, and find comfort in Him alone.

Here’s Kim’s words today:

I feel so blessed that Susan invited me to her Birthday Bash Celebration. Susan’s son Kyle would have been 28 this Thursday. But instead of grieving on that day, Susan wants to celebrate.

I first met Susan last year at the She Speaks conference and heard about her book, Dance With Jesus. What fun it was to see her dream realized when it released earlier this year.

Susan’s chapter “Who’s she holding on for?” reminded me of my mother-in-law passing away 2 years ago. She was ready. She knew she was going to be with Jesus. But she was fearful of leaving her 90-year old mother who lived with her. It was so heartbreaking to see a mother say goodbye to her baby, no matter the age.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Susan understands my grief. The timing of her Birthday Bash Celebration couldn’t be more perfect for me. My mother-in-law would have been 75 on September 1.

Susan’s chapter “Living and Loving after Losing” is such a beautiful of example of going from grief to grace. Susan writes “The passage of time has softened the ragged edges of grief.”

Dance With Jesus by Susan B. Mead

Susan lives out that example daily as she inspires and shares her faith with others.

I have come into the world as a light,
so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46

Susan’s chapter “She’s Mine” brought comfort to me as I remember not only my mother-in-law, but also my cousin we lost last year, and a sweet friend from church, who passed away recently.

Help me, Lord my God;
save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand,
that you, Lord, have done it.
Psalm 109:26-27

I want to follow Susan’s example, to Dance With Jesus, and be restored and revived.

How about you? If you’d like to win a copy of Dance With Jesus, hop over to Kim’s blog and enter. I don’t know what grief you may have experienced in your life, but I have no doubt Dance with Jesus will bring you comfort!