Kate A.

I am so excited to introduce you to Kate. On Modern Witnesses, she shares with us her journey toward healing, her passion for mental health issues, a remarkable story about forgiveness and some memories that will always be with her.

Kate A.

Biblical inspiration of the moment: A Biblical passage that has inspired me throughout my life is Micah 7:8 which says; “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; for when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.” As someone who is recovering from an eating disorder, anxiety, depression and self harm, I’m very drawn to verses about strength found in Christ, as well as ones that describe the Lord as being a light.

A lot of my life, I have felt so clouded with darkness. It has taken a lot of me to fully put my trust in Him, as well as replace the irrational thoughts from the enemy with what is written in the Bible about me. So, any verse that talks about reigning victorious through Christ, and how He is the radiant light in our darkness, really holds a special place in my heart.

Spiritual growth focus, at the moment: At the moment, I am learning to trust the Lord and wholly surrender myself to Him. I get so inundated with the need to control every little aspect of my life, to the point of even throwing myself into a mania.

It’s not healthy, and I constantly have to remind myself; “Kate, you are not in control, but you are immensely loved by the One who is.”

Psalm 23 rings so true– He is our Shepherd, and in Him, we lack no good thing. I need to learn to be a wandering and clueless sheep. I need to allow myself to be that sheep. I get so tired trying to live my life in the driver’s seat, when really, that spot is for Jesus; but you can bet I’m sitting in the passenger seat, and we’re playing some pretty sick tunes.

“He is our Shepherd, and in Him, we lack no good thing.”

Profession: I am a student majoring in early childhood education, as well as a nanny to two precious little girls. I also like to maintain my blog and calligraphy shop, on the side.

One sentence bio: Just a gal who loves Jesus + finding beauty in the simple.

When did you first encounter God? I grew up in church! I was one of those kids who gave their life to Christ at the age of five. Growing up, going to church was more so a routine and something that made my mom happy, than a committed relationship. My mental health slipped to the worst it has ever been, a little over two years ago, and upon returning home from my first university, that’s when I rededicated my life to Christ and decided to start living for Him. I can’t even begin to express my love for Him, His unending mercy and amazing grace. I was very broken for the longest time and through Him, I am made whole.

“I was very broken for the longest time and through Him, I am made whole.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Friends, near and far, that are rooted in Christ and help me stay accountable, as well as never failing to encourage and pray for me.

Currently reading: I’m currently reading The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines, and it is just as darling as everyone has said it is. I would love to be the nanny for their kids, that’s my dream!

Top three essentials: Three essentials for me would have to be my Bible, black coffee and boyfriend jeans, as well as my Himalayan salt lamps, yoga, and sweaters that feel like a hug from a friend. Sorry, that was more than three! (laughs).

How has God spoken to you recently? The Lord spoke to me on account of forgiveness, recently. I had had a relationship with someone who was older than I was, a mentor of mine. She was someone I trusted and confided in for a long time, and then she relayed private information of mine that I trusted with her, making a joke out of my struggles, as well as doing so on a public forum for many people to see.

I had a lot of bitterness in my heart toward her, for a long time. The anger actually lasted a couple of years; until one morning, I was stopping at a favorite coffee shop of mine, and this person came to my mind. I became so full of anger and hate again, but I then felt the Lord say, “You need to forgive, as I forgave you.”

It was such a God thing. I instantly felt a weight off my shoulders about it and longed to see this old mentor of mine to let her know I truly have forgiven her. I then got out of my car to go into the coffee shop, and low and behold, she happened to be the only other person in the shop that morning. It was not coincidence, it was not fate, it was God placing her on my mind, as well as physically in my path that day. The Lord truly works in amazing ways.

“It was not coincidence, it was not fate, it was God–“

A hobby? My hobbies include singing, playing instruments, calligraphy, writing, as well as photography.

Top three tips for staying spiritually strong: Make time to get into the word every day, memorize scripture to use to combat lies from the enemy, and have the people you have relationships with be rooted in Christ and willing to encourage, pray, and listen to you.

Favorite person in scripture: My girl, Esther! I love her story and her strength to do what was right, despite her circumstance. I long to be someone like that, a woman who is not afraid to show her love for Christ and the people that she cares about.

“I long to be someone like that, a woman who is not afraid to show her love for Christ and the people that she cares about.”

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to see Jesus in the way I love those around me. I firmly believe that in this life, it is so important to love people where they are, and encourage them to grow in their relationship with Christ.

I also want people to see through me that the Lord is Healer of the broken and that people are not alone in what they struggle with. I want to give people a sense of comfort, knowing that it’s okay to speak your hurt, it’s okay to share your heart and though we do hurt and have difficulties, we are deeply loved despite them. We were made for community, to come alongside each other, and I hope and pray that people see the love of Christ through my every day.

Favorite season:  My favorite seasons are fall and spring! I can’t pick between the two. 

Favorite holiday: I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love the fact that we have a holiday specifically for gratitude. It’s a mindset that I love to be in, and I try to carry it out the rest of the year. I also love Christmas because of the joy it consistently brings to people’s hearts every year. I think both holidays are a great way to end the year, doing so with a grateful and giving heart.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: Growing up, my family and I would travel to the Adirondack Mountains in New York. So many memories were made, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Sadly, we haven’t been back since our move to North Carolina, and my other siblings are off doing their own things– everyone is grown up now, and it makes me sad, but the memories are in my heart, forever.

“…[T]he memories are in my heart, forever.”

Question you will ask when you get to heaven: Oh my goodness, what a good question. I think I would be so overwhelmed at the beauty surrounding me to even think of what to say! If I had to say anything, I would ask God if I did okay with my time on earth, and if I glorified Him well enough.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: I want to try to raise more awareness to the fact that some people are not seeking mental health help because they can’t afford it. I am a firm believer that no one should ever be denied help, whether that be talk therapy, psychiatric treatment, or through a rehabilitation facility. Mental health is a very serious thing that this world doesn’t take seriously enough. I will speak about this until I’m blue in the face.

“I am a firm believer that no one should ever be denied help…”

What do you usually do before 9 a.m. (Mon- Fri)? Before 9 am, I like to have my coffee and my time with Jesus, as well as do some meditation and morning yoga. I like to sit outside, in my screened in porch, and breathe in the fresh air of a new day, of new promises, of new mercies. I am most definitely a morning person.

On your nightstand? Currently on my nightstand, I have a succulent, my copy of The Magnolia Story, my Bible, one of my calligraphy pens, and a little Himalayan salt lamp.

For more Kate:

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO