Kristen Lunceford
Hello blogging world! I know that sounds totally lame, but I have no idea how one is supposed to start a blog. That’s the best I could come up with. While I don’t really know how to do this whole blogging thing, I do know this: I love to write. I have been writing since the early days of diary communication. My early entries of “Does Johnny still like me?” eventually turned into a pouring out of my soul. It is therapeutic for me. It is how I process and acknowledge my feelings, and I need that. I’m an introvert at heart, but I have not always been. I was once outgoing, confident and perhaps a little prideful, but life has its ways of stripping away our identity and slapping on a new one. What was once vivacious, loud, and full of confidence became quiet, introverted, and reserved.
See for most of my life I allowed myself to be defined by what I considered to be my weaknesses. Pain, trauma and sin left me feeling disposable and worthless. I spent years trying to remedy my pain pursuing what I believed would provide my fulfilling perfection. I struggled with an eating disorder for many years believing that it could deliver the self-worth and value I craved. If I could just look a certain way, then everything would get better. It didn’t. But that’s what life does. It breaks us down, then sends us off on a delusionary quest to pursue the only thing that will build us back up: our perfection. We spend our whole lives trying to attain it without realizing we have been imprisoned by the pursuit. It’s a life sentence. But, I’m learning to break free. No longer do I choose to be defined by my pain, trauma, or sin. Instead, I choose a life defined by redemption, healing, and grace, and I pray that through this blog I can help others to do the same. By helping others understand the value they have to the Lord, I can help to break the chains of seeking perfection. We no longer have to live in shame, but rather glory, for our weaknesses testify to the power of God working in broken people.
Today, however, I’ll start by introducing myself. My name is Kristen. I am married to my husband, Adam, and have been for 16 years. We’re hoping for at least another 50! We have four beautiful children: two boys and two girls. We thought we’d take the plunge into parenting, so we started off with twins. I had no idea how much I did not know until I became a mother. Now, I am well aware. 😉 I grew up in Colorado and lived there most of my life until I became an adult and realized I don’t like the cold. Like, I REALLY don’t like the cold. It makes my bones hurt. Several years ago, my husband and I wised up and moved to the hottest state we could think of…Arizona! We love it. No shoveling snow, no iced windows, no bulky winter clothes…I realize I’m hurting some of your hearts right now. Don’t worry, we still go back and visit…we just don’t have to live in it. 🙂 Ministering is my passion. If I can help others to love the Lord and recognize His love for them, then my life will be well- lived.
I am looking forward to this new journey and I pray it will encourage you in your own. Thank you for coming alongside me.
Isaiah 61:1b-3- He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. “
~Kristen
