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)

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.

Finding Grace at the Bonfire

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Just as tears and rain are cleansing, so is fire. This morning’s sermon caught me in a place where I immediately repented. I felt the need to take an intentional action to signify my new start as I (once again) hit the reset button on walking in obedience.

I had to wait my turn for the fire pit/altar on my back porch. It seemed that I wasn’t the only one who needed God to consume some stuff that had been accumulating for too long. My wonderful hubby decreed and declared that we’re moving to paperless billing as he vigorously purged old home office files.

I watched as the stacks of papers he’d put in the fire pit curled up in the flames and turned to ash. Then I tossed my own papers (actually, cardboard toilet paper centers – fitting, eh? – on which I’d written my confessions that I was symbolically sacrificing to the Lord) into the fire. In moments, they were utterly consumed, no longer existing in their previous form. Later that evening, as the fire was still burning, it began to rain. More cleansing. More gratitude.

I am thankful that God heard my prayer, received my repentance, and forgave me with His abundant grace, mercy, and love. Because of the Blood of Jesus, my sins are covered; like the papers in the fire, they have been obliterated. I am so humbled that God wipes the slate clean and offers a fresh start when we come to Him acknowledging our sins and shortcomings!

Friend, what do YOU need to place on the Lord’s altar for Him to consume so it’s not unnecessary baggage dragged into 2021? We don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve…we can approach his throne boldly and with confidence today! Try it…you’ll probably feel lighter afterwards. I did!

“15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.

16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”

(Hebrews 4:15-16, AMP)

“28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.”

(Hebrews 12:28-29, KJV)

My Best Gifts Are NOT Under the Tree This Year

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Filled to overflowing with gratitude, overwhelmed by the goodness of God, and perhaps a bit hopped up on the choco-chip-walnut cookies I baked and nibbled too close to bedtime, I had to get up and capture this moment.

Earlier tonight, my teens put the lights on our Christmas tree (without adult supervision!); it was fun to eavesdrop on their bantering conversation. Yesterday, they assembled the tree. I think we’re subconsciously decorating in phases since the boxes of ornaments, tinsel, bows, and all things festive were dragged from the attic and wreaths hung outside two days ago. They left the tree lights on after they went to bed, and I was mesmerized by the simple, unfinished, yet unadorned with ornaments beauty when I caught a glimpse on my way to refill my water bottle.

This year, I am super-excited about the holidays – to the point that I got each member of the family themed holiday pajamas for Christmas morning photos. (#MemoryMakingMama #GuiltyNotSorry!). I’m so excited that I’m ready to wear mine in November! LOL 😜🤣🎉

This is evidence of personal growth that has taken time and diligent self-work. My grandmother passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2008, so the holiday season was bittersweet for me for several years. Not until recently did I personally experience Christ removing the sting of death FOR ME, and it made all the difference. Grief is a process, but so is life, healing, forgiveness, and restoration – and none of these processes should be rushed or glossed over. For too long, I lived suspended between past memories and fantasy wishes beyond my grasp, while attempting to ignore (sometimes harsh) reality. This year, I’m in a place to embrace the entire spectrum of life and all that it holds – and that feels GOOD…like breathing in clean, fresh air.

This year, I am unbound by a calendar. Honestly, I feel that I’ve experienced both Thanksgiving and Christmas in my heart on multiple occasions in the past couple of months…and I look forward to celebrating with my family throughout the remainder of 2020 and into the new year. I’m not waiting anymore. My declaration of appreciation for God’s grace and goodness has already begun. And I’m thankful that this year, my best and most meaningful gifts are not under the Christmas tree. May you discover the same realization to be true for you…

Praying God’s abundant blessings for you and your family during this holiday season,

Kayren

“55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

(I Corinthians 15:55-58)

Self-Care Sunday: Rest is NOT just a 4-letter word!

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REST is often juxtaposed with another 4-letter word: RUSH. If you find yourself still searching for the rest and repose of Sabbath (even in the midst of quarantine – ironic, I know), I invite you to give yourself permission to just BE. Experience your day. To the fullest. Observe the handiwork of God all around you. Yes, even from the vantage point of your home.

Today, my self-care action step of progress looked like foregoing the grazing of prepackaged food I’d stocked my pantry with (for the inevitably impending apocalypse) and taking time – making time – to prepare a healthy, wholesome, low-sodium meal for ME. I love to cook for my family, but today’s gift was for ME. Unapologetically. Lavishly.

Not fancy, but prepared with intention, focus, and follow-through. I perused several internet recipes and decided to try oven baked quinoa for the first time and add some roasted mushrooms. This blossomed into a beautiful bouquet of sliced carrots, diced red onions, and cubed celery that burst into a symphony of color.

The finishing touch was fresh rosemary snipped from my yard – lovingly grown by my wonderfully green-thumbed hubby – sprinkled across my culinary creation.

The process of preparation was unrushed, relaxed, unhurried, unscheduled, and an utterly restful experience. I meandered from back porch to front porch between checking on my dish; clouds and sun and wind interplayed the entire day. I went from short sleeves to hoodie and back again. The only thing missing from my imaginary getaway was the ocean. Sheer delight. A moment of pre-Thanksgiving gratitude oozed from my heart.

Funny thing, my hubby said he might wanna try a bite (he doesn’t even like mushrooms! LOL) – I think it smelled so good, he couldn’t resist. Sometimes the best way to influence others towards healthier habits is to take the first step yourself.

Sidebar: He’s been doing this for me with his consistent morning exercise routine…for several months.

Full disclosure: I’m gonna try to make it work for me starting this week (ugh…the joy of aging! LOL).

So let’s do this…new day, new me starts now. No need to wait for a New Year’s resolution…join me today!

p.s. By the way, the quinoa melted in my mouth.😉

“12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.

13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.”

(Deuteronomy 5:12-14)

“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30)

Dead – or Just Dormant?

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Sometimes the obvious gets our attention like a bucket of cold water in the face, right? We forget the simplest lessons of truth by getting caught up in what we see, feel, hear, and think. When we shake off our sensory-induced stupor, we admit what we realized all along, but didn’t trust or believe 100%.

For the past couple of weeks, the rosebush in my yard (whose lovely blooms have been featured in my blog all Summer long and provided me with a beautiful diversion during quarantine) once again looked dried-up, lifeless, and down for the count. I had stopped even looking in that direction when outside, and had resigned myself to accept that they were gone for the season…but I should’ve known better than to assume this temperamental, scrappy rosebush was done putting out flowers just because the only color I saw was brown vine.

From my August 2019 Can These Bones Yet Live Again? post, I should have recalled:

“May we receive our Heavenly Father’s gentle and poignant reminder that some things that appear to be dead are only dormant…and dormancy lasts for only a season before life re-emerges.”

From my 2011 post on time management (worth revisiting), I should have remembered:

“…some seeds remain dormant for a whole year before becoming productive.”

Yes, I forgot about the power of the comeback…until this week – in my haste to grab at least a moment of fresh air between back-to-back conference calls – when I saw 3 tiny buds had emerged from that shriveled up, dead-looking stalk…I was amazed!

I wanted to take a picture, but my phone refused to hold any more data, even after I reluctantly deleted app after app. My wonderful hubby swooped to the rescue (again) to order me an upgraded phone before it crashed (like it did in 2018) as he’d been attempting to prevent for months (again). With my new, fully functional device in hand today, I was able to snap evidence of those 3 roses past full bloom, along with some new buds springing forth.

Instead of being doomsdayish after learning that tonight’s overnight temps may produce frost, I decided to enjoy the floral beauty in this moment. Whatever happens to the roses tomorrow cannot be my focus; right now, they are a gift for me to enjoy, so I’m taking it in!

The moral of this story: No matter what your situation looks like, trust that God is able to breathe new life and restoration into it – all for His glory, and in His time. Stay encouraged…hope springs eternal!

“39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.”

(Mark 5:39-42)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

Change & Transformation

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

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

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)

Finding Grace at the Bonfire

My Best Gifts Are NOT Under the Tree This Year

Self-Care Sunday: Rest is NOT just a 4-letter word!

Dead – or Just Dormant?