Tag: transformation

Website Blessings & Social Media Blues

Published on by Kimberly Novak2 Comments

Who could have imagined that what started as a tool for healing would evolve into the blog I have today? I am truly grateful to you, my readers, for helping me reach this milestone. Since 2011, I have been creating what I call “gems of inspiration” for the glory of God. Initially, the blog was designed to inspire and uplift those who have experienced loss and to support divorce survivors. Over time, God has touched my heart, transforming the blog into what it is today: a space filled with inspiring and motivational posts, all in praise of Him.

I hope my words continue to encourage, inspire, and uplift those who are suffering, as well as those who simply wish to strengthen their relationship with God. I was amazed to receive a notification this week that my content had reached 50,000 views. If it were up to me, I would post more often, but I always let the spirit guide me to the keyboard. I try not to force an article just for the sake of posting. I truly need God’s inspiration to help me put words on the page.

That, my friends, brings me to a topic that has been weighing heavily on my heart — the social media blues! About a month ago, I removed the social media icons from my cell phone, and it has been amazing! I’ve gained extra time in my day, and there is noticeably less stress in my life. I never realized that seeing certain negative things on social media could make me feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Those reactions only increase stress hormones and anxiety. By keeping the icons only on my computer or iPad, I make social media less accessible, giving me the freedom I didn’t know I needed.

I find many aspects of social media beneficial for promoting my faith, prayer groups, spiritual writing projects, and for giving glory and praise to our Heavenly Father. However, I often struggle to find a balance. How can I continue to use social media for the positive aspects of my life while filtering out the negativity? Often, when I log on, I encounter something disturbing—sometimes even fabricated using artificial intelligence—and by that point, it’s too late to unsee it.

I have been talking to God about this a lot lately, and I feel that He needs me! God needs me to be active on social media, in moderation, so that I can continue to share His love, His light, and His good news!

I’m still figuring out what moderation in social media looks like for me. Right now, I feel compelled to get on social media and praise God! If I can’t post something that gives God credit, then I don’t need to post it at all.

If you’re looking for an amazing prayer group, check out A Little God Time on Facebook. I’m proud of this group of prayer warriors who have prayed for many miracles and witnessed numerous prayers answered.

As a community of believers, we can combat negativity on social media and fill the internet with glory and praise for our Heavenly Father! Who’s with me?

Be Blessed,

Kimberly (Courageous Butterfly)

A Beloved Daughter of God Set Free

Published on by Kimberly NovakLeave a comment

“See what the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” 

1 John 3:1 (NRSV)

I attended an UNBOUND conference recently, and the blessings I received during and after have been life-changing. UNBOUND is a model of prayer for healing and deliverance from Neal Lozano and Heart of the Father Ministries.  

The real treat for me was that Father Boniface Hicks, OSB, a Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, a Catholic priest, and the Director of Spiritual Formation and the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary, presented the content for the day.

I have become familiar with Father Boniface through the opportunity to write book reviews for two of his authored and co-authored books with CatholicMom.com. In his writings and video courses, Father’s gentle and thoughtful ways of praying always captivate my heart. I knew signing up for a conference he spoke at would not disappoint!

I went into the conference with little information on UNBOUND, but knowing Father Boniface’s background, I had high expectations. The day’s agenda allowed every participant to experience and immediately put into practice a life-changing model of prayer. A simple definition of UNBOUND is that it is a well-balanced and easy-to-follow teaching method as long as one has an open heart and is ready to surrender everything to our Lord.

As for me, I am made new! That day, I left a lot of baggage in the church hall, mixed in with healing tears and the full knowledge that I am a beloved daughter of God the Father. I am more equipped to apply the Gospel to my life and have renewed faith in allowing God to run the ship!

It is amazing and much easier to see ourselves as God sees us when we make room for His love by renouncing and taking authority over spirits that ultimately bring us down. Additional key takeaways from attending an UNBOUND conference are:

·       Pain deserves to be repaired, no matter what has caused it; all you need to do is permit Jesus to do His work.

·       God never forgets, hears all our prayers, and knows our hearts.

·       When we struggle with something, it is the enemy trying to undo what God has done.

·       We are meant to bless each other!

·       True identity is found in the heart of God.

I recommend attending an UNBOUND conference or scheduling an appointment with a group in your area. You will have no regrets, transformation will ensue, and you will feel God’s love. God has already planned for you to check it out, just as He planned for you to read this program review. Don’t hesitate; let God steady the ship and take you on his chartered course.

If you have attended an UNBOUND conference or session, I welcome you to share your thoughts in the comments.

Blessings,

Kimberly

Informational Links:

Neal Lozano and Heart of the Father Ministries.  

Father Boniface

https://www.fatherboniface.org/wordpresshome/monastic-musings/

CatholicMom.com.

www.kimberlynovak.com

Something Better

Published on by Kimberly Novak8 Comments

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

ISAIAH 55:10-11

In this verse from Isaiah, the “rain” and the “dew” are the grace of God, preparing the heart; the seed is God’s truth found in the written word; and you and I are the “Sower,” the servant of our Lord.  It does not get better in the season I find myself in than this passage.  

Today, I celebrate the five-month mark of my traumatic brain injury.  I still get chills when I say those four words. Every day during the two weeks I spent in the ICU, I was asked to identify myself by name and birthdate and then tell them why I was in the hospital.  I knew at the time they were monitoring my cognitive abilities, but it was emotionally painful repeating “brain bleed” daily. 

Now, five months later, I have graduated, calling it a TBI or traumatic brain injury. Somehow, it doesn’t sound as scary.  I have made significant progress in this short time. Today, I began my first day off of a couple of medications and received word that my recent scans do not show signs of a brain aneurysm.  God is good! 

A few weeks ago, I gifted myself a short retreat focused on art and spirituality.  Ironically, it was held in the place where my injury occurred. I’ve read accounts from some who cannot return to the place where their TBI took place. I, however, was grateful that God rescued me in that place and was eager to return, knowing God would hold me close.

“When I let go of inhibitions and allow God’s hands upon mine, creativity becomes a prayer. Every brushstroke becomes a song of the heart, praising the One who gave me life.” Something Better by Kimberly Novak

I had hoped that by being in my “happy place,” I could understand what happened and where I am now.  I succeeded to some extent, but there is a part of me that wonders where I would be if the TBI had not occurred and where God is taking me now. There are deficits, such as mental focus, and for some reason, I struggle with decision-making. Changing my mind has become a habit of late.  In all of the medical mess, they have found a very rare artery disease for which there is no cure. God’s light is the only thing that will help me navigate the specifics of what is yet to come and the only way I can comfortably enter.

I can find little blessings woven in between each diagnosis. If the brain event had not taken place, they would not know that I have so much going on in my arteries.  Now, I know my limitations and how to protect myself best. It will take patience and discernment, but I know I will get to the “something better” God is calling me toward. I’d imagine the caterpillar feels the same way once it realizes what God has in store.  

I miss my writing, but I am happy to say that I completed my first writing assignment just this week. Focusing on sharing God’s light and love through the written word felt so good. The post you are reading now will become my second attempt at getting words on the page. Forgive me if I ramble or go in circles. It’s just God rewiring my brain.

I have days when it feels like I’m not who I once was in my headspace. God’s sense of humor shines through when I reflect on my obsession with the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly. Days creep in when I want to go back to before January 18, 2024, and live in that brain again. Those are the moments when I turn to Jesus and prepare for something better. 

Only God knows what my future holds. There are a few things I do know.  God saved me in my place of peace. The Word of God will achieve its purpose. God’s ways are above mine. God has a purpose for me to accomplish before I unite with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom. God is not done with me yet.

“It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

Will there be difficulties ahead? You bet! I have always been able to find God in all things. My job now is to find God’s peace in all things. Finding a “comfortable” place in the medical mess can only be good. I will enjoy the gifts and promptings of the Holy Spirit as my guide in the next several months and celebrate every month as a milestone and a new breath of life.

Focusing so much on monthly milestones and celebrating being saved in my place of peace may seem silly. However, I consider them a blessing more significant than some might imagine. Every time I walk through the hallowed walls, where the prayers are embedded, I will remember God’s saving Grace. In the moments I spend on the hallowed grounds, I will praise God for restoration and new beginnings, always looking forward to something better.