2016)

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Wow – it’s the last Throwback Thursday of 2020 and the New Year is so close we can almost taste it! Thanks for waltzing down Memory Lane as I shared December posts from previous years. Praying blessings for you and yours, Kayren on 12/31/2020

Taking Inventory, Measuring Growth

What a full year it’s been; I have MUCH to be thankful for – and I’m sure you do, too! The “Watch Me Grow” chart with the giraffe comes to mind – you know, the one where a parent measures how tall their child is growing every so often? It felt like God kept His spiritual measuring stick handy for me in 2016, but thinking back over the year, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every step of the journey was preparation for what is yet to come.

In retrospect, God has kept my family through one transition after another, and I am grateful. One of the most significant adjustments was the mid-year 180⁰ career change of my spouse. Prior to that, God sustained us during a stint when my hardworking hubby endured a 3^rd Shift role with valiant strength and dogged determination that ministered volumes to our family and friends alike. Both children are in middle school and are successfully navigating those potentially turbulent waters with the God’s grace, parental patience, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance and protection. Were things perfect in my family this year? By no means – but I am a witness that consistently-applied discipline DOES indeed bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness!

I’ve put a renewed focus on my personal role within the ministry of marriage as we celebrated our “Sweet 16 Wedding Anniversary” for an entire month. As I committed to make my 40^th year on the planet fabulous every day (and it has a wonderful celebration filled with glitter, laughter, tears, and joy!), I learned that a sign of true maturity is to admit the things I don’t know (and to be okay with it) – this was a liberating epiphany (especially since I consider myself to be a planner extraordinaire)! I’ve learned to embrace where I am at this specific point in time instead of allowing dissatisfaction to propel me to attempt to achieve some unrealistic and elusive goal that was never mine to begin with.

We’ve mended bridges with family members and friends, realizing that time really does heal all wounds, even though it doesn’t change the past. I’ve learned to extend forgiveness proportional to the amount of times I need to ask for it.

I’ve diligently worked on holding my tongue so I don’t respond before thinking (as much…trust me, this is progress for someone with my DNA – LOL). I’m doing this not through clenched and gritted teeth to “finally take that vow of silence I’ve been threatening forever” (but been woefully unable to make good on – it’s in the genes; what can I say?!). Now, this refined behavior comes from a primary desire to please God and to allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in every facet of my life.

Sometimes we can’t see how much we’ve grown because it’s like waiting for a flower to bloom 5 minutes after we dropped the seed into the dirt – or more accurately, it’s like watching paint dry. We’re too close to the action to be able to fully absorb the progress. Yet, by stepping back with objective observation through a time lapse lens, we notice the flower unfurl, the seed begin to sprout and bring forth abundance, and our personal growth and development come forth according to God’s Word. I encourage you to take inventory of your own growth over this past year – you may be surprised to see that, though you’re not where you intend to be, you’ve far surpassed your starting point…and this, my friend, is indeed praiseworthy!

Join me in looking ahead to a new year full of promise and potential with joyful anticipation…God’s best is yet to come!

“20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
(Lamentations 3:20-26)

TTT: Back to Basics: Sufficiency, Satiety, and Satisfaction (12/30/2014)

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It’s the last Terrific Thankful Tuesday of 2020! Hope you enjoyed reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/29/2020

Back to Basics: Sufficiency, Satiety, and Satisfaction

satiety – the quality or state of being fed or gratified to or beyond capacity; the revulsion or disgust caused by overindulgence or excess

Do we really believe that God is big enough to supply all of our needs, fulfill us, and satisfy us? Do we rest in the fact that He is able to provide for us spiritually, emotionally, financially, and physically – in an all-encompassing way? If so, we have a strange way of walking by faith in the fact that what we currently have is a-plenty. When we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit that we often see inconsistencies in ourselves before others do.

In today’s American culture, I’m not sure how much “revulsion or disgust” we have for overindulgence or excess. On the contrary, we’re infatuated and obsessed with obtaining “more.” If we watch a 30-minute TV program, we’re tempted by the offer to “binge watch” the entire season of episodes with one effortless download. No consideration of wasting an entire day (or more!) of productivity when we can have a glut of what we just tasted…it’s within easy reach. We want everything better, faster, in greater quantities – and we want it NOW. Even infomercials that offer us “the next big trinket” hook us with the promise of something EVEN BETTER than the fantabulous deal we’re already salivating over, baiting us with the nauseatingly predictable “but wait – there’s MORE…we’ll double your order for FREE if you call within the next 8 minutes!” And you know when they suggest that you give the extra one away as a gift, most of us end up with it sitting in a drawer, under a cabinet, or on a shelf collecting dust for months (or years). Even though we can only use one item at a time, we want more…because we’re never grateful enough to be satisfied with what we already have.

Godliness with contentment is great gain (I Timothy 6:6), but are we ever really content with what we have? Or are we subconsciously striving for “the next thing” instead of valuing our present state? My church’s theme for the past year has been “Looking Unto Jesus to Maximize and Strengthen What We Have.” If we thoughtfully and thoroughly count our blessings, we must realize and conclude that we need to take better stewardship to be effective with what we already have before we receive an additional drop of anything. Before lusting after that new pair of shoes/boots/outfit/purse/jewelry/home décor item, evaluate what we’re doing with the pile of similar items currently occupying our closet or running out of our drawers. I was particularly convicted when I acknowledged that before we’d finished our plenteous Thanksgiving meal leftovers, I was already wondering what we’d have for our Christmas feast. And yes, that type of overindulgence and excess will be taking me straight to the gym next week…and for MANY weeks to come…

As we reflect on the entirety of 2014 rapidly coming to a close, my prayer is that 2015 will be a year in which we fully and wholeheartedly embrace what God has for us – and appreciate it – no matter how it looks. In spite of whatever warped, perverted messages or misrepresentations advertisers and marketers attempt to bombard us with, may we receive the truth in our hearts that Jesus is the only One Who can satisfy, fulfill, and complete us.

“1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
(Psalm 103:1-5)

TT: O Christmas Tree: A Matter of Perspective (12/13/2009)

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It’s Throwback Thursday! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you as we celebrate the season of the birth of our Precious Savior, Kayren on 12/24/2020

O Christmas Tree: A Matter of Perspective

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I’m looking at the most exquisite Christmas tree ever – not because it’s elaborate, expensive, or customized, because it’s none of those things. The reason is because it’s an expression of our family’s love, togetherness, and building our own traditions. Personally, I could do without the tree (since I believe Christmas is birthed in our hearts 24/7, not just during this season), but I was vetoed 3-1, so we have a tree and some lights. I even broke down and spent $1 on some red and green gel clings that I enthusiastically added to the sliding glass door in the kitchen. Cheery. When I tried to peel them off the plastic transfer sheet, I realized why they were only $1…grrrr! But it’s for the children, right?

Back to the tree. To me, it first appeared unplanned, un-color coordinated, and not monochromatic (what can I say? I love simple white lights). Yet, to my 4 and 6 year-old munchkins beaming with pride that their decorations have completed this year’s tree, it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. It is colorful, bearing the imprint, insignia, fingerprint, and signature of each of their unique personalities expressed through original ornaments made at school. My husband even added my daughter’s Rudolph (complete with sparkly red puffball nose) to the tree, which is twice the size of all the other ornaments (including the star). Now I don’t recall why we didn’t have a star last year, but the one my hubby found and nestled among the top branches was a great crowning glory. As he snores away, I’m enjoying his handiwork with a smile of admiration. And I reminisce with fond memories of my own first handmade ornament – a spectacular popsicle stick glitter glue-covered Star of David…I’ll bet my mom still has it…somewhere.

On second thought, I think our tree is perfect – just like they do.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6)

TTT: Demolition Cometh: Make Room for Progress (12/10/2009)

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It’s Terrific Thankful Tuesday! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/22/2020

Demolition Cometh: Make Room for Progress

Have you ever noticed how unattentive you really are? This week, I got a good reminder.

There used to be a Subway restaurant across the street from the train station I wait at twice a day, five times a week. I didn’t realize the Subway had moved or otherwise gone out of business until two days ago when I became painfully aware that a significant portion of the strip mall was missing, occupied instead by a wrecking machine. “Wow,” I thought to myself. “When did all of this happen?! I pass this site twice a day and had no clue it was gonna be knocked down.” Perhaps the land would be deemed more valuable without the structure currently standing on it, but it was a decision that had been made previously by the “powers that be;” I’m sure they had to obtain permits and permissions, and finally, I was witnessing the execution of a plan. And it was going quickly. It seemed so…destructive. And final. But I suppose that’s what’s necessary before progress takes place. Out with the old and in with the new…

What negative habits and restrictive thought patterns need to get torn down from your 2009 mindset before you leap into 2010? Don’t try to do “historic preservation” on something that would be better off demolished. After all, progress cometh…if you allow it. Let God do a new thing in you – starting today. Start right now.

“And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.”

(Luke 5:36)

TT: Planning Gone Mad: The Vacation That Wasn’t (12/4/2018)

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It’s Throwback Thursday! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/17/2020

Planning Gone Mad: The Vacation That Wasn’t

Every parent has experienced that fleeting moment of fantasizing about what they’ll do when everyone else in their household is occupied and they get to hold in their hands the elusive concept of “free time.” I had scheduled the entire week after Thanksgiving for vacation away from work – last year, it looked like we’d use that time for a cruise to celebrate 18 years of marriage (“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23). However, still recovering from our family’s summer vacation travels, we agreed for the sake of practicality that our planned getaway week as a couple would become a “staycation.”

Therein lies the rub.

I had NO PROBLEM in my mind with being away from work assignments on my desk and my regular routine of meetings, conference calls, and status updates. Unfortunately, someone forgot to inform my children that I was on vacation. There is no way of reconciling in my brain getting up for a parent/teacher conference before the sun was up…which meant I was awakened by my alarm clock…during the second day of my vacation. Definitely not my idea of vacation. That just didn’t make any sense to me.

Just like my child being behind on assignments and having a questionably less-than-stellar grade and saying everything was okay in that class (hello? reality check!) didn’t make sense to me. This junior Nancy Drew had to investigate…and what I found was not pretty. It kept me up late that night (of the same day I’d gotten up EARLY) coaching the child to completion of the late assignments so they could be turned in ASAP.

And I realized with a wan smile: That’s life. There’s no glossy brochure, 24-hour buffets, or smiling concierges waiting on you hand and foot. Life is about responding to needs in a timely manner. My child needed me and my husband…immediately. And we responded accordingly. Because life is real and vacation is fleeting and temporary.

What happened to the relaxation I thought I’d earned? Yeah, I’m still waiting on that! LOL

I was grateful that we were home and available to address the immediate needs requiring parental attention (it took a united front of me and my husband to help triage the child over this hump). Surely, coming home to foolishness would’ve blown whatever temporary high we’d received from sun, sand, gentle breeze, and ocean waves. Yet, my week didn’t go as I’d planned. It rarely (if ever) does. Because I’m not in control. I don’t know why I keep getting surprised by this unchanging fact. But as I mature, I realize that it really is better that I’m not in control – because God IS!

Regardless of the shenanigans and antics, I am thankful for my week of vacation. It was a series of days that the Lord made for me to rejoice and be glad in – no matter what situations or circumstances arose. I was surrounded by those I love for an extended time when I could focus on them – and that is a priceless gift that couldn’t be purchased on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or any day.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Psalm 118:24)

TTT: The Perks of Faithfulness (12/20/2009)

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It’s Terrific Thankful Tuesday! Reflecting with gratitude as we prepare to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary on 12/16 – to GOD be ALL the glory!!! Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/15/2020

The Perks of Faithfulness

Gratefully, we arrived safely in Myrtle Beach, SC for our 9^th anniversary getaway through a mega-rainstorm (termed by The Weather Channel as the East Coast’s “Winter Wollop 2009”). At least we were driving away from the direction where snow was forecast. Our reservation (at the hotel where we’d celebrated the previous 2 anniversaries) had been made well in advance. My hubby had graciously done all the driving (perhaps he didn’t trust the combination of my 20/15 LASIK vision with darkness, torrents of rain, and questionable windshield wiper performance), so he was ready to get comfortable. He quickly unpacked, then prepared for a shower. The water ran cold for 5 minutes, and the sink and tub drains were clogged – what a welcome! He asked me to call the front desk. I did.

The gentleman who answered placed me on hold. After I’d waited patiently for over 2 minutes (sorta), my husband took the phone from me – ready to get some results. When the hotel staffer got back on the line, my hubby relayed the situation to him. The man noted how unfortunate it was for us that we were on the side of the building where the water often heats up slowly…I won’t even begin to express my incredulosity and more than slight irritation that he already knew they had an issue with this. He offered to send someone up immediately to unclog the drains, but we’d still have tepid water temperature. Calm and collected, my husband asked what he could do for us since this was our anniversary weekend and we’d received good service during our prior visits. The hotel staffer (finally) offered to move us to another room, which my tired husband was a little more than hesitant to accept. We were on the top floor, and no other rooms were available on that floor. The man said, “I can put you in a Junior King Suite with a balcony two floors below” (never mind that it was cold and pouring rain outside). I vigorously nodded my head “yes!” and my hubby reluctantly accepted the inconvenience of relocating. After he re-dressed and re-packed, we dragged our bags back down to the front desk to get the new keys we’d been reassigned. The man assured us we’d like the room.

When we arrived in the suite, we were pleasantly surprised at the level of upgrade we’d received; the suite was triple the size of our initial room, had more than ample walking space, plus a separate sitting area and a Jacuzzi. Additionally, there was an internet connecting wire (conspicuously missing from the other room) and an even more spectacular ocean view from a different vantage point. We were well-pleased and started the hot water. I ambled over to glance at the door and discovered that our suite would normally charge at $1,000 a night for single occupancy and $1,200 a night for double occupancy. I was amazed and shared that info with my hubby; we blessed the Lord together as we reflected on the $80 per night we’d booked at online. We opted to order something light from room service instead of braving the wind blowing rain sideways. It was worth the $39 – an elegant serving table complete with cloth tablecloth and napkins rolled in with crab bisque, chicken strips, and French fries for both of us. Delightful.

Upon check-in, we’d been given complimentary breakfast tickets for both days of our stay that cancelled our need to trek down the street to the local pancake dive. At about $20 value each day, it more than nicely made up for the $5 daily parking fee in the adjacent garage. The next evening, we went for a lovely early dinner at our favorite beach restaurant (early in the week, I’d signed up online and received a $5 coupon – cha-ching!). We got a great server (with no attitude – priceless) and were told we’d receive a complimentary bananas foster ($7.99 value) for dessert since we were celebrating our anniversary with them. We arrived before 5:00 p.m. and ordered from the lunch menu – our specials (catfish fillet prepared 3 ways; salad included) were executed in excellence.

What can I say about the work it took to get to a lovely weekend where we just enjoyed each other’s company and laughed a LOT? Perseverance pays off. We had a blast – each of us accompanied by our best friend – relaxing and taking a break from our daily routine….not to mention sinking into the pillow-top king bed, duvet covers, and down pillows. Scrumptious.

Our children are safe, well-cared for, and having a fun time with dear family friends. Mommy and Daddy have become “honey” and “baby” and didn’t have to fix anyone Saturday cereal at 7:00 a.m. while pleading for an 1 more hour of sleep. Instead, this weekend, we got to reap the fruit of hard work and commitment to living daily in a godly marriage. I’m glad we’re faithful to God and to each other. It’s definitely worth it. The rewards and perks of this weekend were just icing on the cake. Bon appetit!

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

(Psalm 37:3-5)

TT: Anniversary Eve: So Many Reasons to Celebrate! (12/15/2009)

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It’s Throwback Thursday! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/10/2020

Anniversary Eve: So Many Reasons to Celebrate!

Tomorrow (12/16) is my 9^th wedding anniversary, and geez, am I excited! God has brought us a mighty long way (did I mention LONNNNG?) – both as a couple and as individuals. I have much to be thankful for in the areas of growth, development, and maturity. And I’ve learned a LOT (because someone forgot to slip me the “Perfect Wife Manual” though I’ve been searching for it, to no avail). However, I digress…

After work, I picked up the children as I usually do, but made a quick detour to my favorite nail shop before heading home. My eyebrows were long and bushy beyond belief, and I figured I’d better start now on my efforts to get incrementally “gussied up” for my anniversary trip this weekend. The pizza store in the same strip mall with the nail shop was offering a large pizza for $4.44, which I couldn’t pass up. Not because it was their anniversary special (50 years in business – hey, I’ll raise a slice to that!), but because I thought me not cooking tonight was a perfectly fitting start to our own anniversary celebration. Plus, if I wasn’t cooking, I could get started earlier on washing and roller setting my hair (just saved at LEAST $10 – cha-ching!). I picked up 2 pizzas.

Since we stopped at McDonald’s to pick up the “2-fer” special (you remember – 2 fries, 2 burgers, 2 bucks – yes, it was December 2000) on the way to our honeymoon (with leftovers from the reception neatly wrapped in the backseat), I figured that pizza nine years later was an upgrade. My hubby agreed and was glad to have the pizza when he arrived home from work (better than tuna noodle pasta, which he is increasingly shunning over the years – I guess his palate has become more cultured?). Nevertheless, a good time was had by all – especially the children. Simple pleasures. Enjoying the company of those you love. That’s what it’s really about anyway. And good pizza, of course…and not cooking…

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

(II Peter 3:18)

TTT: Stop NOW! Time is of the essence… (12/20/2007)

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It’s Terrific Thankful Tuesday! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren on 12/8/2020

Stop NOW! Time is of the essence…

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

(Acts 3:18-20)

Have you ever scheduled an activity, only to find that the time to do it never comes? Do you often plan to do things and realize (maybe weeks later) that the time to accomplish them never presented itself? If you can relate, it’s quite possible you need to take a moment to stop and evaluate where your energy is going. Where is your focus? If it’s all over the place, that could be an indicator that you need to try a different approach.

Now contrast this with a stoplight turning red – what does that signal (or indicator) mean? It means: STOP NOW! If you put it off until later – it might be too late. It is actually hazardous (to your health and the health of others) not to stop when you see the signal is already red – or better yet, if you see the warning of the yellow caution light telling you to slow down and PREPARE to stop.

A friend recently e-mailed me, reminding me to take time to refuel, reconnect, and REST. I appreciated her concern for me as I wondered incredulously, “Exactly WHEN would I find the time to do this?!?” Truth be told, she e-mailed me on 12/12/07, but I’m just now getting this message posted on 12/20/07 – see how it happens? Time drifts away from us when we don’t actively manage it. Let’s commit to actively managing our time in 2008 instead of passively allowing time to dictate to us what our schedules will be…a novel concept, wouldn’t you agree?

The times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. If you’re too busy to spend time with Him to get clarity and direction for your life, then guess what? You’re just too busy. Stop NOW! Refocus. Reprioritize. Rest in Him. As we take time at the end of the year to reflect, we can also use this time to reprioritize based on what’s really important. The Holy Spirit is here to help us and guide us as we commit to aligning with God’s Word.

Abundant blessings as you tie up those loose ends and approach the conclusion of 2007

TT: Go Forth in Obedience (12/26/2006)

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I’m gifting encouragement all month long! Enjoy a waltz down Memory Lane as I share December posts from previous years on Terrific Thankful Tuesdays and Throwback Thursdays! Reflecting with gratitude and revving up for 2021…Blessings to you, Kayren

Go Forth in Obedience to Obtain God’s Promises in 2007

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

(Hebrews 10:36)

“Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the house of Israel.”

(Exodus 19:5-6)

A few of Webster’s definitions for the action word “go” include: to proceed; to move or start to move; to engage in a specified activity; to function; to become; to enjoy participating in or partaking of; to happen; to succeed.

I am ready to GO, Lord! I’ve waited patiently ALL year long. So where is this promise, God? Oh – I glossed over the “after you have done the will of God” part of Hebrews 10:36? Oops! Help me to be obedient to your voice, Lord!

If you’ve felt like you were running in place with God’s hand holding onto your shirt collar or your shoulders – get ready! He’s about to release you in the greatness of His glory – and when you go forth, you’ll be like a rocket taking off with so much energy, drive, dynamism, and power that He’ll sit back watching you while saying, “Look at My child go!” For Him to entrust His authority to us, we must prepare and plan to participate in the process as yielded vessels who have no problems saying, “Yes Lord, according to Your will be it unto me.”

In order to prepare to go forth in His fullness, we must remember these essential components of obedience:

1. Make a decision to obey Him – it starts in the mind!

2. Commit to discipline ourselves – our flesh must be subject to His Holy Spirit!

3. Demonstrate determination and bring forth good fruit – we must persistently pursue His purpose for our lives exhibit

We want the promises He has for us in 2007 – are we willing to pay the price?

Obedience at ANY cost is what the Master requires of each of us…

TTT: This Time It’s Different… (12/7/2009)

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Today, I was obedient. This is a milestone. Not because I was obedient, but because of the timeframe in which I responded to God’s gentle nudging – it was immediate. The task was simple, something I like to do, and something I am good at. However, I’ve postponed, delayed, and procrastinated (however you choose to classify it) for more times than I care to admit. This time, I didn’t use the excuse that instantly popped into my head. I ignored the list of other things I mulled doing with that 5 minutes. I didn’t get stuck pondering the “what ifs” as that so often taunt me. “What if it’s not perfect the first time? What will I follow up this topic with? What if I start and then run out of content? What if no one reads it?”

Instead, I took a deep breath and consciously thought, “What’s the consequence if I don’t do this now?” My inner response was, “More of the same. And direct opposition to the will of God because of blatant rebellion.” Ouch! I cannot afford that. I’m tired of the results my current actions (or lack thereof) are creating. And who in their right mind wants to oppose the King of the Universe? Exactly. That’s not a smart move at all.

So as much as I’ve agonized with inner turmoil and angst about writing, I took to the keyboard and began this message instead of letting the words roll around in my head like a one-sided conversation that no one else would ever hear. In the past, I’ve made a mountain out of a molehill and dragged a 5-minute activity out to weeks (okay, I’ll admit even months and years) in duration. I could give plenty of attempted justifications, but – simply put – it all boils down to disobedience. Over time, you may be glad I chose to be an obedient vessel. I know I am.

This time it’s different. No more “hit or miss” with the things of God. It’s time out for foolishness. We ALL have to get serious about obeying His voice when we hear Him speak to us with direction, correction, or instruction. It’s no longer optional – it’s mandatory. It’s a new day…embrace it, live it, obediently walk in it.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

(II Corinthians 5:17)

My Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Truly You have blown my mind today, Lord, as I feel the fog lifted and I’m able to hear You clearly. And to think – all I had to do was obey. That’s what You were waiting for. I hear You.

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

Month: December 2020

TT: Taking Inventory, Measuring Growth (12/24/2016)

TTT: Back to Basics: Sufficiency, Satiety, and Satisfaction (12/30/2014)

TT: O Christmas Tree: A Matter of Perspective (12/13/2009)

TTT: Demolition Cometh: Make Room for Progress (12/10/2009)

TT: Planning Gone Mad: The Vacation That Wasn’t (12/4/2018)

TTT: The Perks of Faithfulness (12/20/2009)

TT: Anniversary Eve: So Many Reasons to Celebrate! (12/15/2009)

TTT: Stop NOW! Time is of the essence… (12/20/2007)

TT: Go Forth in Obedience (12/26/2006)

TTT: This Time It’s Different… (12/7/2009)