We can’t afford to drive an entire trip while looking in the rear-view mirror. At what point do we choose to focus on what’s ahead? (hint: NOW is a good time!)
In terms of obedience:
My “yes” to God is still required today – even if (& especially when) I said “yes” yesterday.
When I rest on yesterday’s yes, I am deliberately choosing to stunt my own growth.
Why?
Because before I know it, I’m facing compromise, complacency, or comfort – and all of these can slow the progress of growth and maturity.
Today’s yes unlocks my next blessing – because it lays a part of the foundation I’ll need in place if I’m building something that lasts, stands the test of time, and holds up in the midst of a storm.
Blessings as we choose to continue building wisely, Kayren
“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
What does Pink Panther have to do with Father’s Day for this eldest daughter of a Girl Dad?
When I was a child and Saturday morning cartoons were the jam (we didn’t have cable – gasp! I turned out fine…), my dad used to chuckle amusedly at the Coyote and the Roadrunner (on the ORIGINAL Looney Tunes).
I was annoyed whenever they’d cut away from Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck – because for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why there was no dialogue between the characters! Add to that the Coyote’s unfortunately risk-prone leaning to ridiculous predicaments…I never understood why he kept trying the same nonsense – to no avail.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I find myself hollerin’ with laughter at the irony, sarcasm, hubris, and double entendre baked into these wordless cartoons.
In some life situations, no words are required and one look says it all.
I finally get it. And now I find myself appreciating the beauty of a classic…#FullCircleMoment #DaddyWasRight
With honor for the mighty men of valor in my life, Kayren💞
“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”
(Proverbs 17:6, KJV)
“Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,
And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].”
On a recent gray and rainy day, I found myself marvelling at magnificent puffy clouds.
Then the sun came out. I spotted the rainbow.
But I gasped with sheer delight when I noticed the DOUBLE rainbow.
Here’s to seeing the beauty embedded in every storm…
Because we don’t get rainbows without rain. Selah. 🌈
Blessings, Kayren
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:11, KJV)
“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.”
I had a delightful lunch with my mini-me before she headed off to her summer internship. Unbeknownst to me, she was quick on the draw and captured my “exclamation face” when the waiter informed me they might not have the tiramisu. ExSQUEEZE me?!
My baby chose the same meal that I’d ordered the week before (egg drop soup, spring rolls, and red curry…I guess my recommendation was pretty persuasive), and we enjoyed wonderful fellowship accentuated by tasty treats – of course topped off with terrific tiramisu.
We pressed “pause” on all the other stuff going on and made time for what mattered most in that moment – mother/daughter time. I am grateful!
How will you make time for joy today? Drop a comment if you’d like to share…
Blessings, Kayren
“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;”
(Romans 12:9-10, KJV)
“9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;”
Sometimes we don’t know the impact we’ve had on someone until much later down the road.
When there’s an opportunity to leave heartprints of love, do so gently.
You’ll never know when someone needs it most.
Blessings, Kayren
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
(Philippians 4:8-9, KJV)
“8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.”
I recently decided that I don’t have to be stressed just because I find myself in a situation with increasing pressure. I’m learning to choose more wisely how I expend my emotional and spiritual capital.
God’s Word is applicable in high-pressure situations. His Word contains numerous examples of people who overcame intense pressure without succumbing to stress. I encourage you to study some of their character profiles for encouragement.
When faced with the pressure that inevitably accompanies being a resident of this planet, may we rely on His infinite strength instead of our own finite strength.
I’m a witness that His outcome is exponentially more favorable than any of my contrivances.
Blessings, Kayren
“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13, KJV)
“11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.
12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
We’ve all been there – thinking we were all that and a bag of chips…only to discover that there were other chips that out-chipped us.
It can be a crushing blow if you think that moment is the end-all, be-all. But if you take it for what it’s worth and desire to learn from that moment, it can be pivotal, instructive, and corrective.
A well-placed lesson learned can catapult your trajectory to your next level of growth and maturity.
I understand what it’s like to feel like, “Awww, they gunning for me/they’re targeting me/they’re against me” in a hyper-sensitive way.
(I used to live in that space of my feelings – it leaves you feeling either vulnerable or like a victim…neither of which are true for a child of God who has access to victory through Jesus).
Instead, we can take the feedback objectively, and choose to make an adjustment, or reject it as we consider the source (they may NOT be a credible witness, they could be a distraction, or they could be dealing with their own “stuff” and not considering the impact of their response on you).
Or they may have a valid point. <gasp!>🫢😑
Allow God to show you the truth.
Then adjust or respond accordingly. And sometimes, that’s no verbal response at all…
Blessings, Kayren
“1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”
There’s no time like the present…to address the real issue.
I’d been putting off a call to the Help Desk for weeks. My reasoning? That I didn’t have time to do it then.
Weeks later when I needed to meet a deadline…you already know how the story goes.
I logged on, all set to copy/paste/upload 200+ questions into the online portal and BAM! I didn’t have access. SAY WHAT?!?!
I finally got focused enough to be in deep work mode (is that even a thing for a creative? I dunno; it sounded good! LOL) and now this roadblock PLUS undue pressure.
But I could’ve sidestepped this last-minute drama by just dealing with the issue when it first presented itself. Selah.
Let’s not put off until tomorrow what we can do today.
Blessings, Kayren
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
Kayren Cathcart's Blog 