By Curtis Kim
I love Thanksgiving. While the holiday often brings to mind bountiful feasts and cherished gatherings with family and friends, as a Christian, it’s a time to reflect on God’s incredible graciousness and provision. Beyond the visible blessings, we must remember the foundational gifts: hearts that beat, lungs that breathe, and the oxygen that sustains us. These are but the basics of His common grace. We also enjoy clean water, healthcare, electricity, plumbing, a steady food supply, and even the internet. As Americans, we are privileged with freedoms to worship, moral and legal systems that prevent chaos, and stable banking and infrastructure that sustain our way of life. Yet, above all these things, God’s love is deeper and wider than the ocean—immeasurable and unchanging.
This year, I’ve experienced that love in profound ways. Back in September, I was admitted to Inova Loudoun Hospital for intense knee pain. I’d recently undergone a successful “minor” knee surgery to address a long-standing issue, but the pain returned, and I knew something was wrong. Tests revealed an infection in my knee, requiring emergency surgery. The operation was successful, but my recovery was arduous. I spent a week in the hospital regaining strength and then endured a strict six-week regimen of powerful antibiotics, painkillers, and extended rest. The experience was unexpected, frightening, and mentally taxing.
When faced with such trials, it’s natural to cycle through the stages of grief: denial, anger, and bargaining. But as I reflect on that ordeal, I see how God softened my heart to see His goodness amidst the struggle. Yes, the pain was real, but His love was—and is—so much greater. He blessed me with the ability to sense something was wrong, guiding me to seek help. He provided skilled nurses, therapists, and surgeons who delivered excellent care. He granted my body the strength to recover fully and quickly. He allowed this trial to refine me, demonstrating His loving, paternal care.
Moreover, He poured out His love through the people around me—my Fellows cohort, McLean Pres, the Kyles, Yujin Oh, my girlfriend Sally, my host parents, and my incredible family. Their support, prayers, and encouragement were tangible reminders of His faithfulness.
As I reflect on the year with Fellows, it’s tempting to lament the time “lost” in recovery. But I’m learning to focus on what God has taught me and the blessings He has provided. Life on earth will always have hardship, yet God’s promise is clear: He walks with us through every trial, and one day, He will bring us home. Until then, I’m deeply thankful—for His provision, His love, and His enduring faithfulness.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world" John 16:33 ESV
A special thank you to the fellows. I love you all. That’s it.
Curtis Kim is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2024-25. He is from Vienna, VA, and is a graduate of Virginia Tech. This year, he is working at North Highland Partners, a real estate investment firm.
Pictures From The Week
Admission into surgery #2
Watching a Commanders W in the hospital
Fellows visiting the hospital
Worship night at home
The Boys
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About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring, and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.
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