Hi, I’m Kim Fredrickson, and I’d love to share with you my heart and how I came to start this new ministry.

Until recently, I’ve maintained a private practice as Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 22635), Life Coach, and professor at undergraduate and graduate levels. I’ve spent the last 30 years face to face with individuals, couples and groups helping to bring healing and hope to pains carried, past and present.

What a privilege it has been to be welcomed into the lives of so many for the last 30 years, as well as to lead workshops and seminars at many churches.

I have felt so blessed to be given access into the lives of so many – often during their most difficult times. I’ve told friends in the past that I love what I do so much, that God would have to “pry me out of my counseling chair” to do something different….

And guess what? He did. My life took an about face when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2013. What a rough road that was…lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. I clung to God, my family and my friends to get through an incredibly difficult time, knowing that soon it would be over, and my life would get back to normal.

I finished treatment in March 2014 and breathed a sigh of relief….for 4 days. Then an even bigger life altering and serious health crisis ensued. After lots of medical tests, biopsies and doctor visits it was determined that my lungs sustained permanent scarring and damage from the chemotherapy treatment I received for breast cancer.

Only 2% of women have this devastating complication of pulmonary fibrosis. I’ve decided that sometimes being “special” isn’t so great! Not only will this disease not get better, it is progressive, and requires me to be on supplemental oxygen 24/7.

Recently my doctors have instructed me to close down my full-time counseling practice in order to get enough rest. Perpetually getting a lower level of oxygen is exhausting, and resting is one thing that helps.

It’s been a rough road getting used to all of this…lots of up and downs, tears, disbelief and trying to adjust. By God’s grace I’ve felt His presence, assurance, and love. He is holding my hand and guiding me. He is allowing this to happen to my lungs and the life path I was on. I am determined to use this for good and to hopefully bless others as I walk this journey.

I don’t want to miss what He has for me along this journey, and I don’t want to miss what He wants me to share with all of you. I truly am trying my best to accept, embrace and be obedient in this new direction God has called me.

The way my life has been turned upside down has been dramatic and sudden, and makes my future uncertain. The reality is that all of us are going through difficult times and dashed dreams we never anticipated.

The particulars of your story may be very different from mine, but there are many commonalities we may share. We all have a choice how to work through the difficulties, disappointments and challenges of life. We can meet these with bitterness, hanging onto pain and what we wish was true….staying stuck; or we can work through what’s been lost…adjusting to our new normal, and all that is still possible.

I am choosing the second way, and this road is not easy. I am honored to share healthy ways to walk this road emotionally, spiritually and relationally. I especially want to share ways you can be compassionate with yourself in what you are going through. I stumble and fall, and don’t do everything right – nor do I need to. I would consider it a privilege to walk with you through life’s unexpected, confusing, and even blessed times….holding onto Hope, Compassion, and Connection with God, ourselves and others.

As my world got suddenly smaller, I realized that God had been preparing my new ministry to others in ways I never dreamed of. None of this has been a surprise to Him, and I am in awe in the ways He’s paved the way for me.

In March 2013 I self-published a book integrating our faith with self-compassion. I really didn’t want to – it seemed like a lot of extra work, but I kept hearing God say, “you need to write it down”, so I finally said “yes” and did so.

I then met a wonderful editor and agent at the Mt Hermon’s Writer’s conference a few weeks later – and they were both interested in my work with self-compassion. I submitted a book proposal and didn’t think too much about it. A few months later cancer hit, and securing a book deal was off my radar.

During the three weeks after chemotherapy and before radiation I was offered a book deal – Give Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend (Release date 7/7/15).

As I look back now, God was creating a way for me to reach others through writing and speaking, when I could no longer see clients in my office. That is why I am so excited about how my book might help others as well as interacting with a potentially even wider audience through my blog.

I was pretty resistant to being a writer, even though I’ve been writing all my life. God is so kind to be patient with me, and keeps nudging me in a different direction one small step at a time.

Let’s walk life’s unexpected path together, and not miss what God has for us, as well as what He wants to give others through us.