Kim Walker-Smith – In The Moment

There are things that are unique to me but I don’t want them to be unique to just me. I do want to impart who I am, but I want to see a generation come behind me and then go beyond me. I don’t want to pour out my life only for the body of Christ and serving people around me, but also for future worship leaders who are being raised up out there. I want to see them be successful and do it well and balance life and family and church and ministry well. So I would say there are aspects that have changed in my perspective, especially in that way.

CCM: You mentioned becoming a mother. How has that changed your approach to leading worship or songwriting?
KWS: Your entire relationship with God changes. Suddenly you go from being a person with time in your day you can carve out to spend with Jesus, just reading your Bible or praying or worshipping—whatever fuels your relationship with God. Then you become a parent and, first of all, you’re not the same person anymore. You’ve changed. Second, you have a little person who is demanding 100-percent of your time and attention. You don’t always have the luxury to just say, “Okay, kid, don’t talk to me for an hour. I’m going into this room to spend time with Jesus.” [Laughs]

I figured out the way that I relate to the Lord and connect to Him, I couldn’t do it the same way anymore, because I wasn’t even the same person after becoming a mom. Also, my schedule and my life just aren’t the same. I had to learn a lot. The Lord established this thing in me that said, “Kim, I am not confined to time like you are. I can do something incredible in five minutes or five days.” I had to trust that and know that it was okay if all I could get is just five minutes with God. For those five minutes, I’ve learned to press in as much as I can.

photo: Katherine Kaufman

I’m also relating to the Lord in a different way. My understanding of Him changed. You become a parent and suddenly you have a new understanding of the love of God as a Father, and the heartbreak as well. When your kids make choices that break your heart and you know it’s not a good choice for them… I remember one day, my son was so curious about this light bulb in the lamp. I kept telling him, “Honey, that’s hot. Don’t touch it.” He wanted to touch it and I realized that he doesn’t even know what the word “hot” means. He’s never burned himself.

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