Today marks three years since I finished the Forge. Sitting in my living room in Austin with two of my roommates, also Forge sisters, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. There are times in life that are milestones, people that are rocks, and lessons that are the foundation upon which you build your life. The Forge was a time filled with people and lessons that have literally changed my life. I can say that three years later. When you quote things you heard, or relive moments in order to glean the lessons to apply them to your days years after-the-fact… that's when you know you've experienced something different.
The Forge is a "resident discipleship program designed to develop followers and prepare leaders for a lifetime of good works." Based on this description from the Pine Cove website, I can honestly say I learned more of how to be a follower of Jesus through this program. I also learned more of what it means for me, Kimberly, to be a leader and what it looks like to live out the identity I have because of Christ.
I could write about the lessons I learned from the Forge. I could write about the amazing teaching and trips. I could write about the sweet additions to my book collection that I gleaned, but no. None of that. I'm more than willing to share these things, but tonight, I'm going to write about what means the most to me from my Forge experience, my family. It's been said that the Forge is an 8-month pre-marital counseling session with 24 individuals. I've never done pre-marital, but I do think I could answer those types of questions for most of the 24. That's intense.
As I just realized, in August it will be at least four years that I've known this group of people. That's crazy! We are like long-term friends! Who knew?! But in all seriousness, I'm grateful beyond words for my Forge Family. We have been through a lot together, but more than the pain and hardship and things we've had to endure, we've experience love and what it feels like to know one another and be known.
The love of Jesus pursues. The love of Jesus is unmerited. It's the love of Jesus that permeates this community.
to my Dearest Forge Brothers,
I don't think I could write what you guys mean to me without crying. You all have spoken more Truth and identity and honesty into my life than I'd ever have thought I needed to hear. On almost a daily basis, things reverberate through my heart and mind about things specifically spoken from your mouth's. When I look at our world and want to grow angry and frustrated with the lack of male leadership, I think of y'all and I have hope. Y'all are men. Strong, humble, capable men who lead like nobody's business.
God knew when he put me in a group with you all that I needed to see that there were men my age who I respect and would follow. Y'all are those men. I hear wisdom and encouragement and am challenged by you all. I can be myself and feel no shame. I know that is the case for my sister's as well. God has used you all to be a source of healing to the women in our family and now for many of you in your marriage's. I'm so grateful to call you all family.
and to my Beautiful Forge Sisters,
I think back to the meeting we had in the downstairs girls, you know the one where Ashton came in upset… and then we had a come-to-Jesus moment followed by confession. Or the circle on the floor at Bethel in the spring where the Holy Spirit shouted things from my mouth. I'm honored to know each of you.
I think about honesty and vulnerability and know that when I saw that in our group of women, it helped me to believe it could be done. That honesty in community is reproducible. I also think about all the things you all walked with me through. You all have seen a lot of my issues and know them all too well, and love me. Goodness, you all love so well. Y'all are patient, grace-filled women, who are powerhouses for the Gospel. Each of you in your own ways (which I'm grateful for) speak the Gospel with intensity.
I'm thinking I should start a match-making service because I know some of the MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORETTES in the USA, if not the world. I'm serious. Grace-filled. Patient. God fearing. Discipleship-minded. Community tested and approved. and down right BEAUTIFUL. Guys, I have their numbers and am so not afraid to give them out (within reason).
I got sidetracked… so to sum up. Three years after the Forge… I still LOVE my Forge Family. Some of my favorite people in the world. Tonight, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude because Jesus has allowed me to be loved and known through this community.
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