How Kim Meeder lives a life that is On Fire For Good.
“Beautiful are those whose brokenness gives birth to transformation and wisdom” -John Mark Green
With intensifying conflicts around the world, ever-amplifying political tension in the United States, and persistent personal challenges we all deal with daily, it’s easy to feel lost in the seemingly growing shadow of darkness.
And yet, there are examples around us of individuals who survive unspeakable heartache, remarkably heal, and today reflect light into a world longing for it. Few individuals personify this more brilliantly than my friend, Kim Meeder.
At just nine years old, Kim was taken out of school by a family friend and driven in strained silence to her grandmother’s house. Kim remembers the lady driving the car wept the entire trip and was unable to even speak with the little girl. Arriving at the house, Kim got out of the car and walked to the front door, still unsure why she was there. A relative came racing to greet her. Kneeling, with tears rolling over her cheeks, this woman shared with little Kim that her mother had been shot that morning and was dead.
Before the gravitas of the news sank in, this person shared something even more devastating: Kim’s dad, her hero, was the reason why. He had taken his own life, too.
Kim awoke that morning in an idyllic world. Hours later she was orphaned, her life ruined.
This unimaginably devastating event led her to lean into friends, discover strength in her faith, and remarkably, find solace in the company of horses. It was in taking care of, in riding and in simply being in the presence of these majestic animals that she found healing.
This deep connection to horses would become the cornerstone of her life’s mission.
Years later, Kim and her husband bought a small ranch near Bend, Oregon. The little ranch, just six acres of undesirable land to others, became the place where they rescued abused and neglected horses. Kim’s vision, though, extended beyond the horses. She saw in these regal creatures a chance to not just heal broken horses, but broken children.
At Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, Kim created a sanctuary where the broken can find healing and the discouraged can discover hope. For 30 years, Kim has fostered bonds between rescued horses and struggling children: the fearful horses learning to trust again with the help of the kids, and the neglected children discovering a companion in their journey toward healing.
The little girl who lost her parents at age nine, now guides 5,000 people through her ranch each year. Five thousand lives each year- more than 100,000 lives over time- elevated because of her redeemed tragedy.
In a society that often overlooks the broken and the battered, Kim Meeder embraces the transformative power of compassion. In a world at constant conflict and unable to learn from the past, she reminds us that every life, regardless the hurt carried from the past, holds the potential for redemption.
Kim created a space where the lost can be found, the broken can be mended, and hope can shine through despair.
Our opportunity, my friends, is to recognize that we each can use our brokenness to give birth to transformation, to grow in compassion and to inspire others to recognize the beauty of their lives.
No, it won’t change our past hurts. It will, however, radically elevate our future prospects.
This is your day. Live Inspired.
P.S. Learn more about Kim’s story and hear directly from her about her work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch during our next Live Inspired Together Call on Monday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. Central. Register here!
1 reply on “Hope Can Shine Through Despair”
Beautiful story and congratulations to Kim for inspiring others!!!!!