April 5, 2013

hello my name is...

scarves

I grew up in a Christian home, attended church every Sunday, and memorized Bible verses. I believed that Jesus turned water into wine, healed the sick, and rose from the dead.

But what I didn't believe is all that He can and wants to do in and through me. I believed, but I didn't really believe.

Since graduating college and living in this in-between stage of life (waiting and applying for more school), I have been burying myself in a lot of doubt, fear, and distrust in God. While I know He can do great things, I doubted that He could use a girl like me, a sinning unemployed college grad living at home, to do great things for Him and His creation.

Ironically, one of the pastors at my church talked about Peter the other week. How Peter walked on water, doubted Jesus' power and abilities, and then was rescued by Jesus. How Peter feared that he might drown, might not make it to Jesus, and that he might fail.

And even though my name isn't Peter (it's Kiki by the way if you're new here), I found myself sharing Peter's worries and fears as he was walking on water. Like Peter, I was and have been doubting God's greatness and all that He is capable of doing. And I was using my doubt as an excuse not to try new things. Using it so I wouldn't have to worry about failure or rejection. Ultimately, I was living in the comfort of my routine and stopping myself from applying for jobs, going to Bible study, and making new friends because I doubted that God was there to help me take the first step.

So as I sit here today, I am reminded that Jesus can do anything. I definitely can't, but I can with His help. Friends, I want to remind you of God's greatness today. I want to remind you how much God loves you and wants to do great things in and through you. And I pray tonight that we would have trusting hearts, believing minds, and open ears to hear His plans for us.

Yesterday, my name was doubtful. But today, I've decided to change my old ways and take up a new name. One I hope you can take on as well.


Hello, my name is believer.

Believer in what God has done in the past, 
what He's doing right now, 
and what He will be doing in the future.


p.s. If you're struggling with doubt, I have found this verse, this printable, and this song to be of great encouragement and comfort today. God is able, amen?

Hello My Name Is

And a HUGE shout out to Kerrie and Kerry (isn't it cool that they both have the same first name?) for creating this link-up. I can already tell that reading and writing these posts will continue to strengthen my relationship with Him and with the bloggers around me!

19 comments

  1. Kiki, thank you so much for linking up. i do hope that this linkup will strengthen your relationship with Him and that we all will continue to give Him glory. Thanks for being honest about your fears. That is a very hard thing to do. I hope that this linkup will encourage us all to be more vulnerable and transparent with our struggles.

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    1. Well thank YOU for creating this wonderful link-up! I have definitely found that my relationship with Him is stronger now and I'm also trusting in God more and more, too. Publishing a blog post like this always helps me stay accountable to my words! :)

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  2. Hello, believer! I'm so glad you've got a newfound trust in God today, friend! I have the same doubts that hold me back from participating in life or doing new things. Sometimes I wonder how in the heck God will use someone like me. Just simple ole me. But He does, and He will. And He will use you too! We can have so much hope in that. So happy you joined this link-up too! Love your sweet heart girl :)

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    1. Thank you, grace! :) I'm glad I'm not the only one who faces times of doubt. And I have to say, you are definitely to thank when it comes to encouraging and inspiring me! It was so awesome of you to have shared your blog with your Twitter followers!

      And yes, God does use us in so many surprising ways! :)

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  3. So true Kiki. I love the new name Christ has given you. I'm So So So glad you linked up with us!!!

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    1. Well thank YOU for creating this! I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to share what's on my heart, be encouraged by other bloggers, and find myself falling even more in love with our Savior. :)

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  4. This post is beautiful! So glad you are believing His promises for what they are :) I struggle with that too. I see them lived out as truth in other peoples lives- but then can't imagine them lived out in mine. Mostly probably because I think I should do penance or something? Anyway, I can completely relate to what you're saying, and as usual just love love your posts :)

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    1. Aw, thanks! Thank you for telling me that I'm not alone in these times of doubts. And thank goodness we have a God so amazing that He can use us and our past to do great things for His glory. Girl, He's doing that with you right now! :)

      And thank you for the kind words about my posts. You've seriously (no joke!) made my day!

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  5. Amen!! Such a great reminder of God's power to work through us! Little ol' us. Amazing, huh? You are already doing BIG things through this blog, touching lives...I am confident God will only do more great things in your classroom one day. :) (Also reminds me of Philippians 1:6 "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

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    1. Thank you for the reminder. It's so hard for me to remember that even though I'm typing this when no one else is around there are others out there reading what I say. And the same goes for you, girl! I saw your post on Falling Plates and I can't wait to get a chance to see it later. :)

      And thank you for sharing that verse! It was exactly what I needed to read today!

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  6. Amen! Amazing words of encouragement, will be praying for you!

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    1. Thank you and thanks for those prayers! :)

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  7. Beautiful, true words. I'm glad to have "met" you through the link-up!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and for leaving a comment, too! I can't wait to read your post! And yes, it's so nice to meet you as well. :)

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  8. I love this...Easter morning, my church did a simple drama themed around "Hello, my name is_____". This really hit home & I finally finished my post about my "new" name. <3

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    1. Thanks, Meghan! That drama sounds so cool and PERFECT for Easter. Can't wait to read your post! :)

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  9. Loved hearing your heart! (I'm commenting like crazy on your blog today too!). I used to be very insecure and have absolutely no confidence in myself. But the day that I realized that I can be confident in Christ who is in me, is the day I realized that He can do all things through me! "For nothing is impossible with God." He is so able!

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    1. Yes, yes, yes! And amen to all that you said, too! It's definitely way better to place our confidence in Christ than in ourselves. God is definitely able and His plans for us are way more amazing than I could ever imagine.

      Anyway, thank you for your encouragement, girl! It was so encouraging to read these words!

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