Hope Unseen

I am preordering this book! Should be an inspirational read. This is the story of the first U.S. Army's blind active duty officer. Captain Scotty Smiley has climbed Mount Rainier, won an ESPY as Best Outdoor Athlete, surfed, skydived, become a father, earned an MBA from Duke, taught leadership at West Point, commanded an army company, and won the MacArthur Leadership Award. He and his wife live by thier faith in Jesus Christ.

Elated Dance

I am elated. Dressed in fine linen and crimson jewels, I dance on your arm Father. I look into your eyes and focus on the man who is leading me. My body shakes. I quiver at the sensation of your glowing skin touching mine. I feel devotion. I feel peace. I feel passion.

The wind blows. My hair, tousled by the turbulence of the violent weather, softly lands on my lips. You speak, and my mouth parts. I hang on your words—the Master of the dance. We spin in circles as you whisper in my ear sweet promises. They smell and run smoothly from your lips like sweet honey.

I am dressed Prince of Peace in fine lace. It drapes across my fragile shoulders. Your crown shimmers in the light of the elegant chandelier. Spots of light jump from your skin to mine. We are twirling under the same light source. I look into your eyes, which cannot be defined by a restricted color. I see shades of compassion, harmony, and grace. Your significance, Royal Ruler, outweighs the gold crown that adorns your head.

A shiver shocks me. In a puff of smoke, my breath lingers in the brisk air. Your kindness has heated my body and made me whole. In the distance, I see a bright mirror. I see your reflection, but it cannot define your features because you shine, my Lord, so brightly. I am dancing with the Son. It is you that makes me beautiful. In your presence, I can barely recognize myself. You have clothed me in majesty.

Walking hand in hand, I gaze into the mirror in astonishment. My hair is now brassy and golden in appearance, and my eyes like oceans of turquoise. You turn my body, and I face you.

Lovely One, you say. You are my treasure, my prized possession. I have created you to walk in dignity and strength. You are a banner for all generations. My words flow from your lips like water from a basin. I have anointed your feet Dear One. Dance on in grace and truth. Tread barefoot on the sand surface of my blessings. Do not wash your feet. Continue on the path with my truth fixed to your flesh. You should never question my devotion for I will always love my beautiful creation. You please me daughter.

With winds now raging and rain pouring from the sky, you kiss my forehead. I am enraptured. I am captured by your love. You have overtaken my being. I am yours—mind, body, and soul. In the dance of life, I will never let go of your hand.

-Kimberly Willingham

Jer. 2:2

 Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:

       I remember the devotion of your youth,

       how as a bride you loved me

       and followed me through the desert,

       through a land not sown.

Your Glory is my Mission

Violent thunderstorms shake my existence.

Waves capsize on the shore in sheer resistance.

Doves, in full surrender, fly with light on their wings.

Eyes, open aglow, I see the goodness He brings.

I’m on my face God, smelling the wet sand.

I tremble at your voice and feel the warmth of your hand.

Precious rubies and diamonds can never compare.

To the grace you bestow when your presence comes near.

I’m a shadow in your radiance—a flake of gold in your crown.

A daughter, full of wonder, pulled up from the ground.

You are the root that provides my might.

Weak without your power, I can’t stand lacking your light.

Like a coiled metal piece, my life in you is a twisted feat—

Gain the world or lose my life and feel complete.

I give it away. My desires and thoughts—my being to you.

You can have me Sweet Jesus. Your purpose I pursue.

Leader of men you have called me to be.

This role cannot be fulfilled if I’m not on my knees.

Surrender. It’s hard; but, I’m surrendered to you.

I want to walk and follow behind the man that makes life new.

Victory and justice you parade in your word.

I’m a believer in this mystery. The gospel I have heard.

I live it in my life. It has become my full reliance.

Seeking you my Father, my companion, my alliance.

I trust you Lord to move in ways unknown to me.

I release my dreams and goals to thee.

May the world blot out my appearance and see you through my eyes.

May the beauty they astound be the God who is faithful and wise.

Melody. Fill my words with the music of Heaven!

I pray the bread I desire will forever be unleavened.

Cleanse me from the darkness of my sinful condition.

May purity abound. Your glory is my mission!

-Kimberly Willingham

Deut. 5:23-27

When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leading men of your tribes and your elders came to me. And you said, "The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. For what mortal man has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey."

Fairytale Renamed

Love is a song sung in melodic tune.

Love is a chord played and then imbued.

My Love fills all my deepest needs.

He chills my body wholly.

Smile, like an angel, his actions speak boldly.

I’ve been told since childhood love is not a game.

It’s a sacred romance—a fairytale renamed.

'I love you' is not just a phrase to be shouted loud and clear.

It’s a weighty promise that seeps inside the ears.

-Kimberly Willingham

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
-Jeremiah 31:3

Catapulted Needs

Catapulted Needs

You catapult my deepest needs.

They elevate like sprouted seeds.

Blooming bright and ravishing,

My flower opens—soft, serene.

Elegant Lord, touch me with passion.

Splash me with water. Dress me in fashion.

You are the gardener, and I am the flora,

Dependent on you, my sweet aurora.

In resplendent colors, you light up the dawn.

With eyes open, I’m no longer withdrawn.

You opened the curtains to a life full of joy.

New mercies and blessings on me you employ.

Uproot me from the rocky soil.

Replant me with warm, wet oil.

Season me with rich, think spice.

Your true provision knows no price.

I will grow tall, like a mighty tree.

For you alone, I’ll bend my knee.

Purposeful Price, my flame you ignite.

I feel your power. You fuel me with light.

Kimberly Willingham

Isaiah 58:9-12

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

 The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.

Unafraid…Staring Life in the Face

She waddles in silence to the water screen that keeps her safe. Nothing is visible but cool, green water. Hands plastered on the thick glass, she waits, looking inside for some kind of living form. She longs to see colorful fish or silky, grey dolphins gliding through the water in elegance. The water ripples. She gasps in anticipation. What could it be? She would soon see the giant that the water wall is guarding her from.

A much unexpected swatch of white fur becomes visible. This is not the friendly dolphin she has been expecting. A grizzly face, with sharp teeth appears. Her little heart trembles; but, she does not step back from the glass case. Her eyes are locked to the creature. Her hands grip her white T-shirt, creating moist impressions from the sweat on her tiny hands. Yet, she is unshaken. It becomes apparent to the onlookers; she is unafraid of the beast behind the wall. She studies his clumsy movements and stares him in the face.

Life circumstances are sometimes unexpected. It is human nature to back away from the problems that present themselves to us. We, like little puppies, crawl backward with our tail beneath our legs. God did not create us to be afraid of life. He created us to conquer it, to stare it in the face!

Like this little girl, though heart trembling and hands sweating, she did not step back from the scary creature that appeared before her. She stood her ground and looked at it in the eyes. We were created with a spirit of power not one of timidity. In Christ, we have all the backing the world! We have armies of strength fighting for us daily. However, we must choose to stand our ground, to be surefooted. Times will be rough, there is no safeguard for the world caving in; but, there is a ever-living hope and security in the One that sacrificed all for us! Stand tall. Walk unafraid in life, staring it in the face!

Kimberly Willingham

Job 11:16-19

You can be sure you will forget your troubles.

They will be like water that has flowed on by.

Life will be brighter than the sun at noon.

And darkness will become like morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope.

You will look around you and find a safe place to rest.

You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid...

Strength Training

Muscle man, strong man, for what are your biceps?

They are nothing but temporary.

Does this power reside in depth?

Do you lift weights to cover your insecure being?

Do you train and sweat without His vision seeing?

Running is futile without a centered mindset.

Called body builder, you must not live in regret.

Lift your iron bars in the presence of God.

Be led by His Word and the guidance of his rod.

I pray that beads of sweat roll down your rippled back,

As you work with effort and meaningful muscle you stack.

For power is powerless and strength is dead,

Without the Lion of Judah’s claws of thick lead.

When working in Christ, we are armored in steel.

When walking in his footsteps fearless confidence we feel.

Warrior working toward strength, climb the mountain knowing,

When living a life sacrificed, your muscles will be showing!

Kimberly Willingham

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (The Message)

“Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."