Kimberly Grace’s Stories

Grandma's Prayer Porch.

Hi, and welcome back to Kimberly Grace’s Stories Podcast. I’m Kimberly and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for tuning in to hear my stories. Today, you’re in for a special treat as we hear my latest short fiction story, Grandma’s Prayer Porch… Counting to three in her head, Caroline pursed her lips in an attempt to remain patient. Her six-year-old daughter, Olivia, lay at her feet, kicking and screaming in protest. Caroline had tried several times to quiet her child as her mother sat just outside the open door on the front porch, rocking back and forth quietly. She knew her mom loved it when Olivia came to visit, but her daughter was unfortunately not in a very receptive, happy mood today. “I don’t want to be here! I want to go home now! It’s so boring here.” Olivia pounded her tiny, balled-up fists against the hardwood floor. Caroline crouched down to get more on her level. Her daughter turned her head the other way and sobbed. “Honey, Grandma loves it when we come to visit. She lives here all alone, so it’s nice for her to have some company, right?” “But it’s boring here! All she does is sit on that porch and rock. I wanted to play with Jenny today. She has a pool!” Caroline tried to rub her back, but Olivia pushed her hand away. Reaching for one of the dolls they brought, she tried to pretend the dolly was asking her to play. Olivia took the doll and threw it across the room. It landed hard against the wall with a loud thud that even the hard of hearing would find difficult to ignore. Caroline heard her mother call for her instantly. She got up from her knees and sighed in resignation as she crossed the small front threshold to the open door. Poking her head out, Caroline was greeted with a gentle breeze that only temporarily relieved the heat of the day. Despite it being a humid 82 degrees out, Caroline smiled at her mother, who was nestled happily in her polka dot afghan. “Sorry, Mom. I don’t think Olivia is in the mood for a visit today. Perhaps we should try another day later this week?” Caroline watched as her mother folded and unfolded the end of the blanket with her trembling hands. Those hands that once were the strong, capable providers of carrying so much now looked so fragile and unpredictable. Her heart hurt seeing how much her mom had changed since the last visit. The new medication appeared to be working, but of course, there were always unwanted side effects involved. “Plea-please have her come out-outside, d-dear?” A lump formed in Caroline’s throat as her mother coughed for a long moment. It was hard watching the woman who did so much in her life be reduced to only being able to do so little. She nodded and turned around to go find Olivia. On the way, she prayed her stubborn child would grant her grandmother’s request. She had no idea how many more chances they would get to meet like this, and Caroline wished her daughter would realize just how special her grandma was to all of them. “Olivia?” Olivia raised her head from the spot where she lay on the floor and revealed one of her eyes with a quizzical, raised eyebrow in response. “Grandma wants to see you. Please go to her. I promise, we can leave after that.” To Caroline’s great shock, Olivia jumped up quickly and hurried to the front. Hopefully, she would at least give her grandma a hug goodbye. It was clear to Caroline that her daughter’s sudden burst of energy was due more to the fact that Olivia had latched onto the “leaving soon” part of the deal. Caroline walked over to the door but hung back just a bit to not intrude on their time together. However, a frown creased her face when she heard Olivia telling her grandmother she thought her rocking on the porch was boring. “B-boring? Oh, my sweet child. Did no one ever tell you what I do out here? No, no. This is very important work I’m doing out here, Olivia.” Olivia cocked her head to the side, and Caroline had to stiffle a laugh. Her mom didn’t hold hers in, though. She laughed and gave her signature smile that had always made Caroline feel safe and at ease growing up. “Are you sure you want to know? Because if I tell you, you have to promise to help me with my mission. It’s very important work.” Even though Caroline couldn’t see Olivia’s eyes, she knew that they had to be as wide as saucers now. She saw her child’s head nod up and down in a rapid, serious manner. Caroline’s mom clapped her hands. “Good. Now that’s the spirit. Come here and look over there. Do you see that woman? That’s Ms. Jacobs. She lives across the street with her three boys. She’s a single mother. Do you know what we have to do for her?” Olivia shook her head no and waited with great anticipation to find out. Caroline’s mother adjusted the afghan once more, but let it fall once Olivia decided to climb into her lap. “We need to pray for her. And do you see that man, by the mailboxes? He’s on crutches. That’s Mr. Nelson. I haven’t found out how he hurt himself, but we must pray for him, too. Now your turn. Do you see anyone we can pray for?” Olivia turned her head back and forth to look around the entire neighborhood. Caroline looked too. She saw a lady walking a dog and a man riding a bicycle. “The man riding the bike. We should pray he doesn’t get hurt. I fell off my bike once, and it hurt really bad.” “Absolutely. Good job, Olivia. I often pray for the safety of those I see out here. So what do you think of Grandma’s mission? I call this my prayer porch, and I pray for everybody I see.” Later that night, when Caroline and Olivia had long gone home, they had just finished supper, and it was almost time for bed. Caroline walked around to the familiar places she usually found her daughter before bedtime. She wasn’t sitting in front of the TV or playing in the finished basement with all of her toys. Caroline couldn’t seem to find her anywhere. She finally had a thought and decided to check the front porch. After stepping out onto their large wraparound porch, she grinned upon finding Olivia wrapped up in one of her blankets, sitting on one of their rocking chairs. Caroline came over and sat down in the chair next to hers. She didn’t even need to ask her what she was doing. “I’m praying for our neighbors, Mommy—just like Grandma! I already prayed for Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Baker, and Jimmy. Jimmy was riding his bike without a helmet. I gave him some extra prayers for safety and wisdom.” Caroline felt the tears welling in the corner of her eyes. How quickly one’s mood could change with a new perspective. She prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude for her sweet Momma. “Can we visit Grandma tomorrow?” “I thought you had a playdate with Jenny tomorrow. You were excited to go swimming.” “Can we move it to another day, Mom? I really want to tell Grandma about all the people I prayed for tonight!” Caroline got up and kissed the top of her sweet child’s head. Then she lifted her yawning, very sleepy girl up into her arms. “Of course, honey. We can visit Grandma tomorrow. She will be so proud of you.” Caroline’s heart felt full of such gratitude. That night, she held tightly to the great love and care her daughter compassionately exemplified for her mother, a woman who did not waste her time wallowing in all she had lost, but still offered up her time and heart for others. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” 1 Timothy 2:1 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 Kimberly’s Reflection There are many times throughout our lives when we have to do things we don’t want to do. One thing I try to do, and I’m not perfect in this, is that when I have to run a particular errand or go to an unpleasant appointment, I try to take the opportunity to people-watch in the waiting rooms. It’s interesting to me to see all the different people gathered there together. Most people who are waiting go on their phones, but some chat or read. I try to think about what may be going on in their lives and use what they're wearing or have with them as clues. Then I pray for them, striving to ask for provision according to each of their unique needs. It gives the waiting time a purpose. It also helps me keep my mind off the wait. I chose to illustrate my story with a grandma and a porch because I believe a lot of older people get categorized as not very useful in their old age. It’s almost as if once someone reaches a certain age, they just fade into the background and can be forgotten. I heard a pastor say, “If you have a pulse, you have a purpose,” and I could not agree more. Everyone can notice those around them, no matter where you are, and offer up prayers for others—yes, even for strangers. May we remember that no matter our age, we offer a valuable service to others when we lift them up in prayer. They may never know what we’re doing, but our Heavenly Father certainly does. Amen. As always, I am incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read my words! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my story in the comments. If you enjoyed my story, please also consider subscribing or sharing to support me in my writing endeavors. Thank you! Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 Substack Recommendations 💖 Thank you so much to my incredibly amazing, supportive paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, Haven [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search], Mandy [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search], and Jillian [https://substack.com/@jilliankondamudi]! 💖 You can check out Haven’s magical and adventurous Substack, Just Because, here: 🌟Just Because [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Mandy’s inspiring, insightful, and soul-changing Substack, A Holy Ache, here: 🌟A Holy Ache [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Jillian’s insightful and thoughtful scripture reading Substack, Thorns to a Myrtle Tree, here: 🌟Thorns to a Myrtle Tree [https://substack.com/profile/299407672-jillian-kondamudi?utm_source=global-search]🌟 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Into His protective fog.

Hi, and welcome back to Kimberly Grace’s Stories Podcast. I’m Kimberly and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for tuning in to hear my stories. Today, you’re in for a special treat as we hear my latest flash fiction story, Into His protective fog… Kara gripped the side door handle tightly as the car swerved slowly around another curve. Her husband of eleven years, Tyler, appeared much too relaxed for her liking. The dense fog had quickly enveloped their car, leaving only a few feet in front of them clear. It had not been in the forecast when they had planned this trip, but it was here now, and there was nothing they could do about it. Glancing a quick peek into the rearview mirror, Kara released a small sigh of relief to see that their son Silas was still fast asleep. She prayed he would stay resting peacefully, for she knew that as soon as he woke up, there would be no end to his curious questioning of them. Kara switched her focus back to the road. She scanned the narrow field of vision along the sides of the road for any signs of deer or other wildlife. Unfortunately, it was starting to get dark, making it even harder to make out the large shadows she saw along the road. Tyler placed his hand gently on top of her knee to reassure her. While Kara appreciated his attempt to calm her nerves, she would much rather he keep both hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel instead. He must have gotten her silent message because his hand did not linger on top of hers long. At least they were really close to their destination now. Taking a deep breath, Kara prayed God would keep them safe the rest of the way and that He would also calm her nerves. This was their first church retreat with the congregation of the new church they had been attending for almost six months. Kara reminded herself that she was stepping out in faith when she and Tyler had decided to join the retreat weekend away in the mountains. Being relatively new to the church had made her hesitate at first, but they had decided that stepping out of their comfort zones would prove far more fruitful. She and Tyler longed to build close relationships with this church, so they knew the best way to do that was to spend more time with the congregation. Suddenly, Kara was shaken from her thoughts when Silas shouted loudly and gleefully, “We’re here!” Kara blinked her eyes and strained to read the sign through the misty vapor: Pinewood Retreat. They had, in fact, finally arrived. She let herself release the breath that she had not realized she’d been holding in for almost the whole trip up there. Kara gulped nervously and quickly looked into the mirror from the pulled-down car visor. She tried to pull and will her frizzy hair into submission, but her frantic swatting at it did not seem to quell it into order. “Honey, you look beautiful.” Kara tried to meet his sweet, kind eyes with a smile, but it faltered with only a glance at his nose. “Thank you, but I think you might be a bit biased. My hair is sticking up in all different directions. I wish I could get it to look better before we go in and meet everyone. Perhaps I should apply some makeup?” “But you don’t like wearing that stuff. You always complain that it makes your skin feel itchy. Sweetie, just be yourself. Trust me, they’re going to love you.” Kara tried to smile again, but this time she could not muster even a pretend one for her always optimistic husband. Her voice wavered slightly when she had finally worked up the courage to say what was on her mind. “How…how can you be so sure?” At this point, Silas had unbuckled his seat belt and had his head poking up into the front seats between them. Kara looked anxiously over her cute six-year-old’s blond head. Tyler chuckled at the bedhead nest of hair that their son now exhibited proudly as the back hairs on his head stuck out every which way. “Kara, I know because we love you, and God loves you even more. Remember, He is in control, and He is faithful to bring about good works on our behalf. We trusted Him when we said yes to this, and we trusted Him to get us here safely. And look? The fog is even starting to lift. It’s a sign, Kara. We were wandering in the wilderness, but we found our way out.” Kara took in her husband’s wise words and let them settle in her heart. She suddenly felt at peace and was able to meet his gaze with a genuine smile this time. “Just like He did for the Israelites, all those years ago. Thanks, Tyler. I needed that reminder. I was so scared of the fog and what it held behind its thick walls, but the truth is, it was a test. A reminder for us to trust God to guide our steps forward. He only illuminates the path so far, and it is up to us to rely on Him fully to lead us to safety.” Silas suddenly stuck his head right in front of his dad’s and then swiveled it quickly to the right in front of Kara’s. He huffed dramatically. “Can we go in now? I’m ready to do something fun!” Both Kara and Tyler locked eyes and laughed together. They nodded their heads and opened their doors. Although they did not know exactly what the weekend retreat had in store for them, they committed themselves to step out in faith and to embrace the wonderful things God had for them by their obedience. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 Kimberly’s Reflection This flash fiction story is a slightly altered version of a recent event in my life. My family did just attend our first church retreat (with all the fog! That is a picture from our drive up) with the new church we have been attending for almost six months now. As most of you will recall from my story, Church hurt [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/p/church-hurt], my family has been searching for our church home. I was quite nervous at first, because I had no idea what to expect. Walking into a room where people don’t know you or only barely know you has always been hard for me. Yet, I trusted Jesus. Every step of the way, through the fog and through the entire weekend. And you know what? He did not disappoint. He showed up for us in so many ways. For the first time in a long while, I felt peace, comfortable, and included at church. That’s the power of stepping out in faith, especially when you’re unsure how it’s going to go. When we do that, we provide the necessary obedience and space for God to show up big for us. It’s the time when He can do what only He can do. We obey His will, and all we have to do is watch His mercies bloom for us. Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you were hesitant to do something, but obeyed God by stepping out in faith anyway? How did it go? I’d love to hear your experiences of how God showed up for you. May we be faithful to take the courageous leap into the unknown because what He has for us is far more than we could ever have dreamed or imagined. Amen. As always, I am incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read my words! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my story in the comments. If you enjoyed my story, please also consider subscribing or sharing to support me in my writing endeavors. Thank you! Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 Substack Recommendations 💖 Thank you so much to my incredibly amazing, supportive paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, Haven [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search], Mandy [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search], and Jillian [https://substack.com/@jilliankondamudi]! 💖 You can check out Haven’s magical and adventurous Substack, Just Because, here: 🌟Just Because [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Mandy’s inspiring, insightful, and soul-changing Substack, A Holy Ache, here: 🌟A Holy Ache [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Jillian’s insightful and thoughtful scripture reading Substack, Thorns to a Myrtle Tree, here: 🌟Thorns to a Myrtle Tree [https://substack.com/profile/299407672-jillian-kondamudi?utm_source=global-search]🌟 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

His Forever Valentine.

Hi, and welcome back to Kimberly Grace’s Stories Podcast. I’m Kimberly and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for tuning in to hear my stories. Today, you’re in for a special treat as we hear my latest flash fiction story, His Forever Valentine… Glancing at his watch, Ben hurried down the sidewalk. He was already running late to begin with, and now he risked missing his train. Onlookers gawked as he certainly looked out of place. He wore a dark black tuxedo and was carrying a rather large bouquet of mixed roses. With his other hand, he wrestled with his laptop bag and huge box of Gertrude Hawk chocolates. A few of the women watching him sighed dreamily and elbowed their partners. Ben hid a smile as the ladies pointed in his direction and the men barely looked up from their phones. Valentine’s Day certainly brought out the gamut of celebrations—from the simple to the extravagant. Ben slipped through the closing doors of the train just in time. Panting, he looked around for an available seat, but quickly realized he would have to stand the whole way. He carefully tried to balance the bouquet on top of the chocolates, but felt his laptop bag slipping from his shoulder. When he tried to adjust himself to fix it, the flowers suddenly started sliding faster off the box than he could quickly react. Luckily, a sweet, young woman caught them just before they completely took a nosedive and would have crashed messily onto the subway floor. She took a quick sniff of them and smiled at Ben as she handed them back to him. He returned her gorgeous smile with a quick grin of his own, but faltered slightly due to embarrassment. Thankfully, the beautiful woman didn’t seem to notice. “You must have someone pretty special you’re going to celebrate with tonight. Girlfriend?” she asked, slowly putting more weight and emphasis on the last word so it sounded both like an accusation and a question. “I do, but not a girlfriend.” The woman batted her eyelashes and leaned in closer to Ben, causing him to lean back the other way. He glanced up to see how many more stops there were until it would be his turn. He gulped, wondering if he and his special gifts would be able to survive five more stops. “So, what is it then, a first date? You’re too young to be married.” Ben swiftly and awkwardly held up his left hand. The woman stepped back once she saw the gold band gleaming in the low-lit train car. She smirked and nodded her head, signaling that she would leave him alone. Ben let out a sigh of relief. The rest of the ride thankfully went smoothly without any further unwanted conversation regarding his attire or his obnoxiously large special Valentine’s Day gifts. Finally, it was his stop, and thankfully, it was only a short walk to his destination. The famous Italian restaurant was, of course, jampacked tonight. Ben had been disappointed not to pick up his date for this evening, but she had talked him into meeting him there, arguing it would be more practical. He reached up onto his tiptoes to get a better look over the crowd. Unfortunately, his date was rather petite and it would be nigh impossible to spot her in a crowd. That is, until he heard her sweet voice carry loudly over the sound of the live jazz band playing. Ben shook his head. He should have known he’d find her dancing and grooving to the music. He had to squeeze his way between patrons to force his way over to her. Of course, she looked radiant as always in her shimmering red sequined dress. It was the dress she chose every Valentine’s Day. Ben sidled up beside her and bent down to give her a soft, gentle kiss on the cheek. Then he gently guided her over to their table. The waiters helped them get seated and after they were all settled, Ben handed her the chocolates and the flowers. “Roses for my Rosie girl. And sweets for my sweetie.” “Oh, Ben, you shouldn’t have! Whatever did I do to deserve you?” “It’s our tradition, remember? I’ve never missed a single one in the last five years and I don’t plan to ever.” Ben watched as Rose took a shaky sip from her glass of water. He could tell she had tears welling in the corners of her eyes. “Benji, you’re the absolute sweetest, but you shouldn’t be here with me. What about Ava? I’m sure she’s missing you.” “Ava knows about our tradition and she was the one who insisted I keep it. Besides, I get to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her every day. This is our special day.” Not wanting to waste their time arguing the matter any further, Ben stood up and reached out his hand to Rose. “Care to dance?” The light dancing in Rose’s eyes told him that she would be delighted and he moved his way around the table to help her up. Then they made a beeline straight for the dance floor. They danced to the fast songs until a slower song came on. Ben gently held Rose close to him and softly twirled her around. Then she leaned her head against his chest. “Oh, Benji. Your grandfather would be so proud of the man you’ve become. Thanks for helping an old gal feel young again.” “Always, Grandma. Forever and always.” “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 Kimberly’s Reflection Valentine’s Day can stir up a lot of complicated emotions. It’s typically the day that celebrates couples, but I like to think of it as the day we celebrate all the love in our lives. Whether we’re single or not, we can be grateful for the wonderful relationships that pour into our lives. That’s why on Valentine’s Day, I not only celebrate the love I share with my husband, but also my son, my family, and my friends. It’s okay not to have a date for Valentine’s Day. Take the day to honor the love you have in your life, even including pets! And above all, may we remember to thank our Heavenly Father for loving us so much. God’s love is the source of the love we share with others. May we share His sweet heart with the world on Valentine’s Day and every day. Amen. As always, I am incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read my words! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my story in the comments. If you enjoyed my story, please also consider subscribing or sharing to support me in my writing endeavors. Thank you! Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 Substack Recommendations 💖 Thank you so much to my incredibly amazing, supportive paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, Haven [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search], Mandy [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search], and Jillian [https://substack.com/@jilliankondamudi]! 💖 You can check out Haven’s magical and adventurous Substack, Just Because, here: 🌟Just Because [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Mandy’s inspiring, insightful, and soul-changing Substack, A Holy Ache, here: 🌟A Holy Ache [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Jillian’s insightful and thoughtful scripture reading Substack, Thorns to a Myrtle Tree, here: 🌟Thorns to a Myrtle Tree [https://substack.com/profile/299407672-jillian-kondamudi?utm_source=global-search]🌟 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Escaping New Year's: Part 2.

Hi, and welcome back to Kimberly Grace’s Stories Podcast. I’m Kimberly and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for tuning in to hear my stories. Today, you’re in for a special treat as we hear the second part of my short fiction story, Escaping New Year’s [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/p/escaping-new-years]. Here is the link to the first part in case you missed it: Now, let’s hear Part 2… Josh practically floated on air as he made his way to class that morning. He was grinning from ear to ear after the amazing night he had with Mia. They had stayed up watching another movie after It’s a Wonderful Life and ended up falling asleep together on the couch. Josh hated to leave her, but when they woke up, it was nearly four in the morning. His cheeks burned at the memory of giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. Luckily, there weren’t too many people milling around campus when he left her dorm room. As he replayed their first sweet date over again in his head, Josh nearly lost his footing when a hand slapped him on his back loudly. He looked around, bewildered and riddled with confusion, until his eyes landed on his friend, Zach. He had a weird look on his face that immediately alerted Josh that something was up and by the looks of it, Zach couldn’t hold it in for another second longer. “Buddy, you’re the man! Everyone’s talking about you.” Josh rubbed his shoulder as his friend hit him once more in congratulations. He laughed nervously as he had absolutely no clue what Zach was talking about. “Why? I didn’t do anything.” “Oh c’mon, man. Don’t lie to me. Everyone’s talking about how you spent the night with Mia.” Josh immediately stopped walking and froze. Someone must have seen him exit Mia’s place after all. He tried to gasp for air as suddenly it felt as if all the wind had been knocked out of him. Mia is going to be humiliated. Without another word to his friend, Josh took off sprinting across the quad. He needed to find Mia before anyone else talked to her. As soon as he burst through the class doors, Josh wheezed, trying to suck in a big breath of air. He was not used to running like that and made a quick mental note to hit the gym more often this year. When he looked up, Josh noticed that everyone in the lecture hall was staring at him. Then, much to his chagrin, they all started clapping for him. He scanned the room for Mia, but he didn’t see her. He grimaced as his classmates started whooping and hollering. Josh turned his head to the top of the stairs to see Mia. Her face quickly turned a bright shade of crimson. Then Josh saw it. His eyes stung with shock and his face burned with anger. Someone had written a message on the whiteboard: Good Morning, Mia the slut. It took everything in Josh’s body not to yell at his disgusting, immature classmates. Instead, he focused his attention on helping Mia. She stood there for only a second, like a deer caught in headlights, and then darted quickly out of the room. Letting out an exasperated sigh since he was exhausted, Josh ran up the steps after her. Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. She had made it halfway to the middle of the quad when Josh started calling her name and begging her to stop. Much to Josh’s relief, she finally slowed down and surrendered in a heap on the cold, frozen grass. Josh jogged the rest of the way and plopped down beside her, wrapping his arms tightly around her shoulders. She sat there in silence with a far-off look on her face, her eyes glistening with moisture. A couple of students passed them and snickered. That elicited a few tears to fall. “I am so humiliated. Everyone thinks I’m a..a..” “But you’re not, Mia. They have it all wrong.” “It doesn’t matter. You spent the night at my place, and they know it. The damage is done.” Josh suddenly stood up and held out his hand to help her up. Mia hesitated, but ultimately placed her small hand in his as he gently lifted her. Then he softly wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Mia, listen to me. You know the truth. That is all that matters. It doesn’t matter what they think happened; you know what happened. You know the real story. You’re a good girl with high morals. Don’t let what others think of you distort the truth. If you run away, then they win the narrative. You can’t let them get to you. Stay true to yourself and be confident in the wonderful person you are. You’re Mia. And you’re amazing.” Josh’s heart somersaulted when Mia let out a soft laugh in response to his pep talk. He was so happy to see her smiling again. He reached up and slowly moved a loose strand of hair off her face. Mia placed her hand on top of his and held it for a moment. Then she nodded her head that she was ready to go, so they walked hand in hand back to class together. When they reentered the classroom, the professor was standing at the front, about to start class. The message had apparently been erased already. Josh and Mia slipped into two open seats toward the back. A boy sitting near smirked and made a mocking kissing face in their direction. Josh felt his body stiffen and his jaw clenched. He had just told Mia to ignore the immature behavior and here he was not being able to take his own advice. He was pulled from his thoughts when he suddenly noticed that Mia had apparently raised her hand and stood up to speak to the class. “I just want to address something real quick and clear up some rumors that are going around. Yes, it’s true that Josh came over to my apartment, and yes, he stayed late on New Year’s Eve. We watched some movies and fell asleep on the couch. That’s it. That’s the truth. It’s honestly hardly worth this much attention. Your time would be better spent learning real facts and working to help one another—not tear others down. So in closing, please be kind. You wouldn’t want people to spread lies about you, so just don’t do it.” Mia sat back down and smiled at Josh. He returned her grin, and then, to everyone’s shock, he stood up and started applauding her. Slowly, a few others joined in and then soon after, almost the entire class was giving her a standing ovation. The boy who had recently mocked Mia had a deflated look on his face as he slumped further down in his seat. Josh’s heart swelled witnessing Mia’s dignity be restored. He gently pulled her up to a standing position and gave her a big hug. Josh had never met anyone so brave to be themselves, and he could not wait to get to know her even better over the course of the new year. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22 Kimberly’s Reflection One of the hardest things to navigate in life is when people speak lies about you. Even though you know they are wrong, you can still feel ashamed for something that you didn’t even do and that isn’t true. We must gain confidence in who we are as a person and learn to love ourselves. Whether you’re a Christian or not, this is imperative. This is not to build up a prideful or pompous view of ourselves, but rather to appreciate the unique gifts each of us possesses. We all have value and we all deserve respect, kindness, and love. I pray that we learn to love who we are so much that we can stand firmly in the truths about ourselves when lies threaten our character. Know your truths and may you always know your worth. I’m praying you all have a blessed 2026! May it be a year that you grow stronger in the truth of who you are in Christ. Amen. As always, I am incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read my words! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my story in the comments. If you enjoyed my story, please also consider subscribing or sharing to support me in my writing endeavors. Thank you! Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 Substack Recommendations 💖 Thank you so much to my incredibly amazing, supportive paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, Haven [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search], Mandy [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search], Ali [https://substack.com/@alichan], and Jillian [https://substack.com/@jilliankondamudi]! 💖 You can check out Haven’s magical and adventurous Substack, Just Because, here: 🌟Just Because [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Mandy’s inspiring, insightful, and soul-changing Substack, A Holy Ache, here: 🌟A Holy Ache [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Ali’s inspiring and hope-filled Substack, OpenHanded Hope, here: 🌟OpenHanded Hope [https://substack.com/@alichan]🌟 You can check out Jillian’s insightful and thoughtful scripture reading Substack, Thorns to a Myrtle Tree, here: 🌟Thorns to a Myrtle Tree [https://substack.com/profile/299407672-jillian-kondamudi?utm_source=global-search]🌟 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Escaping New Year's.

Hi, and welcome back to Kimberly Grace’s Stories Podcast. I’m Kimberly and I want to thank all my readers/listeners for tuning in to hear my stories. Today, you’re in for a special treat as we hear my latest short fiction story, Escaping New Year’s… “Are you sure you’re not coming with me?” Mia heard her roommate Emma’s question floating sweetly out of their shared dormroom. She was currently sitting on the couch in the small living room under a pile of blankets. The warmth and merriment of Christmas had passed and now there were only gray skies and plunging cold temperatures. She tucked herself in tighter and pretended not to hear Emma. Part of her felt guilty for not joining her friend for a night out on the town to ring in the new year, but she remained resolute in her decision not to partake in the revelry this year. How could she, especially after the year she had experienced? Nope, Mia was content to let 2025 slip away and hopefully become a long-faded memory sooner rather than later. Emma appeared just then in the door frame. She looked beautiful, as always. Wearing a shimmering, sparkly gold dress matched with just the right gold high heels, Emma looked like a trophy topper. Mia stifled a laugh at that thought and instead held two thumbs up from under her blanket cave. She felt the whole couch shake when Emma plopped unceremoniously down beside her. She had that puppy dog look plastered on her face—the very one she always pulled out when she wanted someone to do something for her. “Mia, you can’t stay in. It’s New Year’s Eve, for goodness sake! What if you miss your chance at finding true love at midnight?” The pile of blankets snorted and cackled in response. Mia popped her head out just enough so Emma could see her serious expression. She knew her friend meant well, but her mind was absolutely made up. There was nothing she could say that would change it. “Emma, I appreciate your concern about my love life, really I do, but you of all people should know that that is the last thing I need right now. I’m not ready.” “Not ready? It’s been six months! Gabe has already moved on. You need to show him that you have too.” “Nope, not gonna happen.” Emma jumped up off the couch so fast that it nearly caused Mia to fall to the floor. She resettled her nest of blankets and picked up the remote from the coffee table. Her pizza would be arriving shortly, and she was about to watch a movie marathon of all of her favorite Christmas movies, starting with her all-time favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. Mia ignored Emma’s huffing and fake pouting performance. “Mia Gertrude Petrone, you are going to end up all alone if you stay in. Who are you going to meet here? George Bailey is not going to climb through the television screen and rescue you.” Nearly spitting out her gulp of water, Mia stifled another laugh. Emma could be quite the drama queen when she wanted to be, but even that had to be hilarious sounding to her. Emma let out a giggle, but then immediately switched her expression back to serious. It was a good thing she was a theatre major, Mia pondered. “Fine. Suit yourself. I hope you, George, and the blanket blob monster will all be very happy together.” Mia watched as her roommate hurried across the room to retrieve her purse from the chair near the door. Then, after slipping on her cozy, designer black jacket, she watched as Emma disappeared out the front door, not before flipping her curly brown hair back and blowing a kiss to Mia. Right on cue, Mia pretended to catch it, and just like that, it was finally quiet in their apartment. After fluffing her blanket nest one more time, Mia settled in and turned on the movie. She had just made it through the beginning credits when the doorbell rang. Reluctant to leave her comfy haven, the thought of a warm, delicious pizza from Michaelangelo’s finally lured her out of her warm comfort briefly. Mia shoved on her pink fluffy bunny slippers and tightened her Winnie-the-Pooh bathrobe as she shuffled her way across the room to answer the door. She prayed that the delivery person had left the pizza at the door per her detailed instructions. Mia was in no mood to make small talk with anyone else today, let alone have them judge her childlike attire. She didn’t care what they would think, though, as honestly, Mia cared more about wearing what made her happy. That was the era she wanted to head into in the new year: her comfort era. However, when Mia raised up onto her tippy toes, she groaned internally to not only see a person standing there waiting, but it was a young man who had an air of familiarity about him. Mia debated asking him through the door to leave the pizza, but ultimately decided to open it when he started knocking again, this time even louder. Mia flung open the door and immediately stretched out her hands to reach for the pizza. The young man’s eyes grew wide when he took in Mia and her unique attire. Unfortunately for Mia, he moved the pizza box back and out of her reach. “Whoa! Not feeling well, Mia? It makes sense now why you weren’t in class this morning.” Mia’s mouth dropped open in shock. Not only did this boy know who she was, but he apparently was also in one of her classes. Mia tried to rack her brain as to who he was and which class. Unfortunately, nothing was ringing a bell and even worse, the young man was quite handsome. Mia felt her cheeks immediately flush red from embarrassment as the cute guy laughed softly. “It’s okay. I sit way in the back. I’m Josh. Josh Bolt.” “Oh, uh…hi, Josh. And I’m sorry, what class is it again?” “History. You’re really good at remembering dates.” Mia opened her mouth and gaped a little. Another wave of heat rose through her body. It was already embarrassing enough that she didn’t really remember him, let alone that he probably only sees her as a know-it-all. “Yes, well…I like dates.” Josh flashed a smile while Mia felt a wave of horror wash over her. She could not understand why she was acting so silly in front of him. “That’s good to hear, Mia. I see you’re not out on one, though, unless your date also likes to dress… casually.” He looked down at her pink character slippers and then landed on her bathrobe. Mia tried to tighten her robe more, but it did not help that the cord to close it was the black and orange tail of Tigger. Mia lunged for the pizza box once more, but Josh again held it up out of her reach. “Just give me my pizza, please. I’m sure you want to finish your rounds so you can go party.” “Actually, I don’t have any plans. Your delivery was my last stop for the night. Say, wait a minute. Is that George Bailey I hear? Are you watching It’s a Wonderful Life?” Much to Mia’s surprise and annoyance, Josh pushed past her and walked into her apartment, handing her the pizza box as he passed by. He looked around the place and his eyes grew wide as they landed on the movie playing on the big television screen. “Isn’t it a little late to be watching Christmas movies, or are you just getting a head start on next year?” Suddenly, Mia had had enough. This humiliation was the cherry on top of the worst year of her life. Her dad had a heart attack at the beginning of the year, then her beloved Grandfather died in May, and to top it all off, her boyfriend of five years broke up with her in June. Mia had chosen not to go out tonight to avoid any further anguish. All she wanted was one night to escape, one night to not live in her current, stressful and depressed life. She was crying so hard, she did not even realize that Josh had come over and wrapped his arms around her. “Mia, I’m so sorry. Please stop crying. I was just teasing, okay? This is a very nice way to spend New Year’s Eve. I love It’s a Wonderful Life—honestly, it’s actually my favorite Christmas movie.” “You’re…you’re just saying that. Please leave me alone. Take the pizza, I’m not even hungry anymore.” Mia pushed Josh away and crashed onto the couch. She placed a pillow over her head, shaking as she continued to cry silently. Mia heard Josh start to turn the doorknob, but then stop. Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “I meant what I said, Mia. It really is my favorite.” Mia stopped crying, but did not poke her head out of her cocoon. Even though she didn’t know Josh, there was something about him that made her want to trust him. Yet, her heart was so broken and fragile. She had promised herself not to make the same mistake she had made with her ex-boyfriend. He had pretended to like what she was interested in, but later Mia had found out that he had despised all her movie tastes and hobbies. He had even taken the appalling liberty of announcing all of her childish ways in front of their friends at a birthday party. She held her breath and wished Josh would just go away. “What is it you want, Mia? The moon? Say the word, Mia. I’ll throw a lasso around it and—” “—and pull it down.” Mia’s head emerged from her hiding spot. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were stained wet from tears. Josh walked over slowly and sat down next to her. He gently took a tissue and wiped her face. “Mia, I have a confession to make. I don’t work for Michaelangelo’s. My friend John does. He saw your name and let me know so I could deliver your pizza to you.” Shaking her head, Mia blinked her tear-stained lashes in confusion. “I don’t understand. Why?” “Because I have a huge crush on you. I had one on the very first day I saw you in class. You were wearing a Winnie-the-Pooh hat that day, of course. Your boyfriend made fun of you for it, but I thought you looked so cute. You always wear what you like and you don’t care what others think about you. And if you know the answer, your hand is always the first to go up in class. You know what you want and you go after it.” “Well…I don’t know about all that…” “And even tonight. You’re doing your own thing. I’m sorry, Mia. I wasn’t trying to ruin your night. If anything, my intent was to ask you out, but I get it. I’ll leave you alone now. I hope you have a nice evening, Mia.” Mia watched as Josh got up from the couch and made his way to the door. He had the knob turned and was about to walkout when Mia found herself calling out for him to stop. He paused and turned his head to look at her. His gentle blue eyes were calm and inviting. Mia knew there was no guarantee with Josh. She knew this could lead to more heartache, yet his gentle nature made her want to try anyway. “I seem to have ordered way too much pizza for myself. Would you, maybe, want to help me out? And if you stay, I suppose it would only be fair that you get to watch the movie with me—since it’s your favorite and all.” Josh’s eyes immediately lit up and the biggest smile formed on his cute face. He nodded his head enthusiastically and made his way over to the pizza. Mia jumped up and grabbed two plates and some napkins. They settled onto the couch together and even did a cheers with their pizzas before eating and starting the movie. Josh looked over at Mia and, with a saucy mustache to boot, said the most cheesy, adorable line Mia had ever heard. “Remember, Mia: No man is a failure who has pizza.” Mia giggled and smiled as she took another warm, satisfying bite. Then she snuggled in against his arm as they watched the rest of the movie together. Despite trying to escape celebrating New Year’s, it turned out that the new year would be starting off on a bright note afterall. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 “Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, ‘I was only joking.’” Proverbs 26:18-19 Kimberly’s Reflection: At any age, teasing and making fun of others is hurtful—especially when it comes from someone you love and never expected to hurt you in that way. Mia’s story reminds us that it is okay to be different and it is also okay not to do what everyone else is doing, especially if you do not feel up to it. Honor your feelings and seek rest. We do not have to be on the go all the time. We also must be more careful with our speech. I know some people find it fun to single out one person, and perhaps they see nothing wrong with their joking around, but let this story be a lesson that words matter. We should work harder to speak words of affirmation that build up one another, not tear each other down. I pray you all have a blessed 2026, and may you celebrate in any form or fashion that feels right to you. Cheers to a Happy New Year! As always, I am incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read my words! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my story in the comments. If you enjoyed my story, please also consider subscribing or sharing to support me in my writing endeavors. Thank you! Kimberly Grace’s Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 Substack Recommendations 💖 Thank you so much to my incredibly amazing, supportive paid sponsors: Tom, Hank, Theresa, Cathy [https://substack.com/@cathyiswinning?utm_source=global-search], Haven [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search], Mandy [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search], and Emily [https://substack.com/@remotherhood?utm_source=global-search]! 💖 You can check out Cathy’s inspiring and thought-provoking Substack here: 🌟Cathy Ben-Ameh’s Substack [https://substack.com/@cathyiswinning?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Haven’s magical and adventurous Substack, Just Because, here: 🌟Just Because [https://substack.com/profile/324159388-haven-nicole?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Mandy’s inspiring, insightful, and soul-changing Substack, A Holy Ache, here: 🌟A Holy Ache [https://substack.com/@aheavenlything?utm_source=global-search]🌟 You can check out Emily’s sweet and encouraging parenting Substack, Re:Motherhood, here: 🌟Re:Motherhood [https://substack.com/@remotherhood?utm_source=global-search]🌟 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe [https://authorkimberlygrace.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]