Empowered, loved, lifted-up, redeemed; these are the words that come to mind when listening to Kim Hill  powerful new CD, Broken Things. This CD is aimed at those who need encouragement - the lost, broken, forgotten women who have been discarded or shamed because of their past, because of their sin, because of a failed relationship, or simply because of their own insecurities.

Broken Things is an analogous collection of songs - each one an encouragement. With sparse harmonies, this is essentially one redeemed woman answering the question, "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth." Psalm 121: 1-2

This folk-rock album contains many songs co-written by Kim herself. She says, "I'm calling it the 'belated sequel' to my 1991 Grammy nominated Rock Album of the Year, Brave Heart." With a deep, throaty, expressive voice, Kim's songs are as real as the challenges she herself has faced; a divorce, and now raising two boys as a single mom. She has experienced the healing power of the Lord in her own life, and wants to share that gift with others in the midst of struggle. Powerful voice aside, these songs are all about the lyrics.

"It's amazing how the Maker of the universe
The One who parts the waters and the sea
Who lives and reigns and watches over all the earth
Could make His home right here Inside of me."

These lyrics are from the first track, "Here Inside of Me," a song expressing what has probably amazed all of us at some point - God really does hear me when I pray!

The second track, "A Million Pieces," contains the reason for the CD title. "She's finally seen the light that He loves broken things." What a wonderful revelation Kim provides for the listener - God loves us even if we are broken.

The next three tracks are my favorites: "Lover of My Soul," "Wide," and "Deeper." The first contains the healing lyrics, "My shattered life has been made whole. My heart forever sings Your praise." This is the hope Kim wants to instill in the women to whom she sings. "Deeper" tries to reach women who feel worthless. "Fumbling around here in the dirt, it's hard to figure out what I'm worth. But I'm learning, I'm learning." It is a beautiful song that lifts your heart.

My favorite is "Wide," words and music written by Kim Hill and Margaret Becker, with painfully real lyrics that make your heart ache:

"She was a kid with a kid in a town that was too small.
She thought that living on love was enough for them all.
I wish she could see that He's never left her
I wish she could see His arms open wide.
He calls her beauty. He calls her blameless like an innocent child.
His love is wide, wide, wide."

This song shows that the heart of Kim Hill is for women dealing with the guilt, pain and shame of any mistake that they believe is unforgivable. A beautiful song of love and forgiveness - this is the one I tend to walk around singing long after I have turned off the CD.

"You Don't Belong Here" is an acoustic guitar song to those who feel left out, rejected and turned away because their sin happens to be visible. This song contains the eye-opening lyrics, "Although we all fall short, I guess they still believe some people fall too far for grace to reach," highlighting the fight so many have to be forgiven and accepted by fellow Christians.

While I love the truth in "Runaway," that God never runs away from us, the lyrics of the song broke my heart. "People ask me how I'm doing, but they don't really want to know. When I talk, I always tell too much. Things they don't want to hear. When will I get it through my thick head, You're the only one who really cares." I found myself so sad for the person who has encountered such judgmental Christians, causing me to reflect upon my own life and my own attitudes to insure I never treat anyone this way.

"Blame Someone Else" seems to fall short compared to the other redemptive songs on this CD, such as "Shelter" and "Clean." A song in the theme of "I'm finally alright but you're still a jerk," it never really gets past the bitterness or looks to the Lord. However, I recognize it may be both therapeutic and healing to one who has been hurt in a relationship.

The album closes with a song that stands in contrast to the rest of the CD. Soft, melodic, piano and voice - a beautiful song revealing the beautiful truth that the Lord loves us just the same whether we do right or wrong. This not only wraps up the CD, but sums up the theme as well. The reason for the hope, the reason we can accept the comfort Kim Hill is offering, is because the Lord does love us, no matter what we do, more than we can ever understand. It is the perfect ending, and the perfect hope we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.