So, I must admit, I stole the title of today’s Noisy Narratives blog post from someone else. Her name is Kay (KK) Whitaker, and her life is an incredible tapestry of woven stories and difficult circumstances. She really does know what it is like to Flourish just Because. She is also our own Christy Williams’ mom, so we have a special connection to her story.
Kay recently wrote a book detailing her life. A memoir filled with love, sadness, trauma, pain, endurance, and joy. KK loves the Lord. She wants only the best for people and her family, and even in the ashes she finds a way to glorify God.
We recently sat down with KK to interview her for our podcast, and this morning our listeners will hear her story. It is hard to do a lifetime of memories justice in a one-hour sit down, but we do our best. We try hard to feature highlights that will bless and/or educate the listener, but it is still impossible to get to everything.
As KK talks through her memories of family, relationships, multiple marriages and losing a child, the listener cannot miss her zest for life. Her energy and love for family and her Creator come through as she shares both exceptionally hard and beautiful stories. Her optimism that things really do get better, her belief that God means everything for the good of those who love him, is inspiring and real.
Kay writes like she talks, flitting from one topic to another, full of life and incredible energy. You can feel the conversations flowing off the pages as she explains time after time she could have given up on people and life, but instead chose to endure and move forward with love.
“I always think it is better to go forward, forgive and be honest, rather than try to cover up things you might think are not normal.” (Flourish Because, Ch 29)
The above quote is taken from a chapter where KK shares a time when her family is making a special trip to reconnect to Christy’s biological grandmother, the mother of Christy’s biological father. There are so many twists and turns along the way to finding peace, but choosing honesty serves this family well. They do not hide from the hard. Instead, they love each other through it.
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from each other. Our privacy is valuable at times, but too often secrecy is used to protect ourselves from other’s opinions. Sharing our stories can help people heal and grow and link us closely to those we love.
There is something freeing about letting go of past circumstances and giving our memories over to God. God loves us and handles our backstories with understanding. He made us, no one knows us better than he does. In letting God into the deepest parts of my heart, I am better able to forgive myself and others for past mistakes. Love thrives in the aftermath of forgiveness and peace grows when bitterness is vanquished.
“Getting older is a really cathartic experience because things in your past life you have chosen to shut out will start to resurface if you let them. Only if you are open, feel loved and accepted by your Maker. He is the One who gives you the courage to go forward and live in freedom and lack of fear. There is no moving forward in life unless you love yourself. I always did love myself because I had parents and family who were full of love for each other. As I grew, I knew that God the Father, Jesus, His Son and Holy Spirit loved me and accepted me into their circle. Despite all the ‘messups’ and failures in life I could keep moving forward and not ‘get stuck’ in my messes. I knew I could always find love again.
Every being in the womb is created for love and created by Love, God. In a perfect world, a baby is born, adored and loved and as he or she grows they carry this love to the ones in their lives. This is why love is very important in any person’s life. Love creates life in a person, so when life eventually tears one down, we can reach deep inside for that life of love we have and keep moving forward.”
From the Preface, Flourish Because, Kay Whitaker 2023
“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” Hebrews 3:4 ESV
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 ESV
Today Kay (KK) Whitaker, Christy’s mom, joins us on the Noisy Narratives podcast. She lets us in to see an incredible journey. Her story inspires those who feel life is too hard to handle and holds points of conviction for those who would judge those they do not know. We hope you enjoy listening and are blessed by what Kay shares.
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