So a few days later, I realize that I’ve been using the hashtag #HolyWeek…a week early.
But really, isn’t mindfulness and awareness of God’s presence and gratitude for the sacrifice of His Son Jesus the entire point of the Lenten season?
It’s not about a specific date on the calendar…after all, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
And shouldn’t we reverence, hallow, and deem significant EVERY day as holy unto God?
It’s about our heart condition.
This week. Next week. Every week.
Grateful to be growing in faith, Kayren
“…This day is holy unto the Lord your God…”
(Nehemiah 8:9)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
A popular group once sang, “What about your friends?”
I wonder how Jesus felt knowing that those He called friends – and was about to willingly lay down His life for – would turn on Him by the end of the week.
Then I thought about how I respond when a friend of mine – one I certainly don’t expect to physically die for – does something that hurts me.
The responses are miles apart. The difference is like night and day.
But I’m working on it – every day.
I believe the walk of a believer is to consistently allow God to develop our character until we’re conformed to the image of Christ.
We cannot measure ourselves against any other standard but Him.
We can’t even compare our progress with our old selves.
Unconditional love is unspeakably powerful. It’s unending and unchanging.
Amazing love…#HolyWeek
Blessings, Kayren
“12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
(John 15:12-14)
“9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
No, that wasn’t a typo. This post is definitely NOT about being made comfortable!
Sometimes when we know a person on a surface level and they wanna bring us into closer relationship, they may show us a scar or wound we’ve never seen before, or that we’re unaware they even had.
While some of these are grimace-worthy and might catch us off-guard (did I really need to see that?!), it does connect us on another level.
They’re inviting us to know them in a way most folks don’t and aren’t privy to.
Because it’s challenging to know something or someone intimately without firsthand knowledge or fellowship.
This #HolyWeek, let us be intentional about committing to know Christ more – as the Amplified Bible puts it in Philippians 3:10, “experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely.”
In this way, we are “being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even]to His death.”
Whew.
I’m beginning to comprehend the weightiness of drinking of the same cup as Christ – and the depth of His great love that was demonstrated through His sacrifice (Matthew 20:22, Mark 10:39).
Blessings as we enter Holy Week with open hearts, Kayren
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
(Philippians 3:10, KJV)
“And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];”
My previous healthy choices don’t give me a license to transgress and make unwise decisions today.
#RealTalk from the gal who posted a salad pic earlier this week.
Those fleeting “livin’ in the moment so throw caution to the wind with careless abandon” choices show up later.
Trust me…I know.
There’s also an impact to those walking with me, and those coming after me.
No excuses…I’ve gotta choose better and build consistency.
Cuz I know better. And I like the results of choosing better.
Blessings, Kayren
p.s. How about you? Drop a healthy tip that’s helped you stay on track in the comments…there’s strength in accountability.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
I thought I wanted to go out to dinner after a long workday (and facing a longer workNIGHT). I didn’t have time for it, but my mind reasoned that I deserved it for working so hard, and wouldn’t it be lovely to be served…? 🤔
This happened instead…
Without thinking, I pulled out the zucchini from my last grocery trip, sliced and seasoned it, and popped it in the oven.
Then I boiled some eggs to jazz up my spinach salad.
Finally, I sliced the chicken breast lovingly grilled by my wonderful hubby on the weekend.
Preparation works. 🌟💯🎉
Fancy glam meal? Not really.
Healthy and balanced? Absolutely. #Win
I literally hacked my own midweek tiredness with weekend planning that gave me healthy meal ingredients at my fingertips.
Go Jesus!💪🏽😇🙌🏽 He knew I didn’t need to eat something I didn’t even have energy to work off. #Provision #BuildHealthyHabits #MoreHearts
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Because I LOVE to share good gifts, here’s the replay link – I pray it blesses your soul, cuz I certainly had a blast reflecting on where God has brought me from in just one year!
One year ago, I was recovering from major surgery. Check out my One Year Later Virtual Celebration for timely encouragement…trouble don’t last always!
Blessings, Kayren
“…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Reflecting that one year ago today I was recovering from a hysterectomy. I’m grateful for the journey (yes, I tested out the healing power of chocolate…God is greater – AND calorie-free! LOL) and wanted to share my gratitude with those who could use some encouragement.
I hope you’ll join my One Year Later Virtual Celebration at 7pm ET on Tuesday, 4/1/25…no foolin’! #MoreHearts
Kayren Cathcart's Blog 