So in a previous blog at the end of the year, I wrote about my focus words for the year when it comes to my goals. These words were going to be what I was going to focus on in EVERY area of my life. I chose 3 dominant words that seemed to be standing out and they were DISCIPLINE—>FOCUS—>ENGAGE… let me first say I want a do over LOL! Let me explain! It’s not that those words are not good ones and actually, I will still incorporate them but they are more secondary to what God has been showing me. We are now in March and to be quite honest with you I am feeling a whole other vibe than what I thought at the end of December. I have to be honest, I think comparing myself to others made me really think that I needed some profound words or declarations. After much prayer and observing how current events are unfolding in my life, I can see the more appropriate word is PREPARE!

Well Kim, what do you mean by prepare? I’m glad you asked. I have this deeply rooted feeling that God is preparing me for another level in many areas of my life but spiritually and professionally are the two areas that I feel that are being prepared now.

• SPIRITUALLY: I am convinced that as Christians, we have to quit putting God in a box! We have freedom in Christ so there are sooo many ways to worship and glorify God! At this point, I am really enjoying exploring those ways. I have noticed that for some reason, I inspire people and actually enjoy being others’ cheerleader. So the question that I ask myself, “Kim, because this comes natural to you, are you living out 1 Thessalonians 5:11 and encouraging and building up others?” In this stage of life, I feel God pushing me to grow in my knowledge of the Bible in order to be able to encourage and spur others on. A scripture that I am committing to memory is:

  “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

  ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:2-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  I know that I am not an ordained minister, an evangelist, or preacher by man’s standards BUT I know that God qualifies me to handle his WORD and that is EXACTLY what I am going to do. I will handle the word of God with care and that will take preparing myself and like 1 Timothy 4:7 says, I must train myself to be godly. Some practical ways I am preparing myself spiritually:

  • Remaining consistent with prayer and time with God

  • Taking time to study out ANY question that pops in my mind as well as writing it in a study guide/bible study form in order to share what I am learning with others

  • Being fearless and intentional in speaking about my faith. I’ve been on social media for a loooonnng time but I no longer use social media as a play thing but as a tool to reach more people for the Kingdom & show others how I’m trying do #christianliving

• PROFESSIONALLY: I love being a nurse and when I became a Family Nurse Practitioner, I knew that God created me for this profession. The core concepts of the profession are innately me! I love educating people and breaking down complex issues and making them simple to understand. I love people and want to see them thrive. Within the past couple of years, God has revealed to me through experiences and interactions with my patients and colleagues that I am needed in changing the care with Diabetes. This is a STOUT task but I can no longer run from this…I have to get into the fight. Why me? Why Diabetes? Well, for one I am an African American woman who has many relatives (including my mother) who has diabetes. Statistically, the African American and Latino population top the list of diabetics and quite frankly, there aren’t enough providers that are willing to tackle the disease that come from those communities. Time and time again, I see black and brown patients that have little to no resources and minimal support advocating on their behalf. So, why not me? I am one of them and can empathize over sympathize. To be able to bring the best care, I WILL HAVE TO PREPARE MYSELF AND PERFECT MY CRAFT! There’s no way of getting around it! Some practical ways I am preparing myself professionally:

  • Keeping a student mentality. That may sound simple but let me explain. In 2019, I will go through three diabetic training courses or conferences. I am excited because this will not only allow me to learn but to network with those in the field I am trying to break into.

  • As I learn more, I will start to teach more. I have live and digital material that will start in 2019.

Well guys, that’s all I got! I’m curious…how are you guys doing with any goals that you have set? Do you need to reset and have a do over like me or are you killing it? Drop your comments below!