The Leadership Lesson

In process and in progress — *Learning when your tests & trials aren’t just for you…*

The tempering. Pulverization. Incessant pressure. Repetitive knocks. All leading to and culminating in ultimate restoration.

I hadn’t thought about the challenges of my current season as being part of leadership training. Until now.

But it all makes sense.

The greatest among us must serve.

And a true servant leader has a tender heart after experiencing what they walk others through – because they’re already familiar with the path.

They know the sting of rejection. The frustration of being misunderstood. The loneliness of isolation. The two-sided coin of forgiveness and redemption.

And they don’t despise any part of the lesson, because they understand that it’s all part of the process of being made.

May we continue to endure each lesson until we become leaders who accurately reflect the image of our primary example of selfless servant leadership – Jesus Christ.

In progress & in process, Kayren

“24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”

(Luke 22:24-27)

Travelling Light

Posted by kayrencathcart

Have you ever overpacked?

Unfortunately, I’m guilty of this more often than I care to admit.

Certainly when I’m preparing for a trip, I find myself with too many PJs (who knows whether I’ll feel like long sleeves or short sleeves? I’d rather just be prepared for whatever…)

As a self-professed lip glossaholic, I should be ashamed to admit that I currently have 10 glosses (at least) in my everyday purse. (how do I know whether I’ll prefer watermelon, strawberry, or coconut…or sparkly shimmer on top of matte red…unless I have ALL the options available when the mood strikes?). Exactly! 💯#UNapologetic

But I’m no stranger to winding up with an accumulation of “stuff” over time that eventually requires attention and action of a necessity.

Since this world is not our home, it makes sense to travel light.

Blessings, Kayren

“13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

(Hebrews 11:13-16)

Navigating Maycember

Posted by kayrencathcart

Why did I just learn what Maycember means? I heard a co-worker with tweens use it…then I Googled. 😂

I guess I’ve experienced it for many years, but I just didn’t realize it had a label or it was really a thing. But it is! #RealityCheck

Aside from the fact that my children are in their 20s…but that doesn’t make the flurry of parental support activity any less real or involved.

As a matter of fact, packing up college dorm rooms, supporting internships anywhere on the planet (or not getting the internship waited upon for months) requires a similar level of logistical choreography, emotional support, and parental stamina.

To all who are navigating Maycember, the encouragement is the same: trust God with ALL the details – big, small, and in between.

Our children won’t be children forever! As parents, we are doing a good work…and it’s more than worth the effort.👍🏽

Blessings, Kayren

“1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

(I Thessalonians 5:1-2)

Gettin’ Off the Merry-Go-Round

Posted by kayrencathcart

When the whirlwind doesn’t stop, make the next move to protect your peace…

I may not be able to make it stop, but I can distance myself from the cycle of foolishness.

I used to try to stop the incessant spinning and lament feeling helpless as it whirled and swirled on.

But I’ve learned that I can only control what I can control.

So I choose to get off the merry-go-round of nonsense. #PlanPrayExecute

What’s your next?

Cuz protecting your peace is priceless.

Blessings, Kayren

“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

(Psalm 1:1-2)

A Terrible Thing!

Posted by kayrencathcart

It’s not what you think…

terrible (H3372) – yârêʼ, yaw-ray’; a primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten:—affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), × see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

👉🏽Can God do an awesome thing with you?

Where everyone who sees will acknowledge His mighty power and reverence His unparalleled holiness?

If your answer is yes, we prepare by surrendering in prayer, praise, and worship.

Let’s gooooo…all for HIS glory!

Blessings, Kayren

“And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.”

(Exodus 34:10)

I Will Do Marvels

Posted by kayrencathcart

Are u ready? I’m excited!

Sounds like God’s about to blow our minds!🤯 Get the glory, Lord – it all belongs to You anyway!🙌🏽

marvels (H6381) – pâlâʼ, paw-law’; a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful:—accomplish, (arise…too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly)

Steadily preparing, Kayren

“And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.”

(Exodus 34:10)

Close Your Eyes and Follow My Voice

Posted by kayrencathcart

Not to be spooky or try to sound deep (cuz ain’t NOBODY got time for that foolishness!), but that was something I believe I heard God speaking to my heart this week, “Close your eyes and follow My voice.”

It’s about walking by faith and not by sight.

Not leaning to my own understanding. Not relying on my own strength – which is guaranteed to run out (and often at a very inopportune moment).

Trusting Him with EVERYTHING – big or small (cuz who am I to categorize or judge this from my limited perspective and vantage point?).

Acknowledging that He sees and knows ALL as King of the Universe – and HIS plan supersedes mine.

So now that we’ve got THAT outta the way…are your rose-colored lenses a li’l less foggy? Mine are! #PerspectiveMaintenance

“27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

(John 10:27-28)

No Exemption from Affliction

Posted by kayrencathcart

I feel like that episode of Tom & Jerry where Tom was so tired he needed toothpicks to hold his eyelids open. Can you relate?

I worked late on incorporating feedback into an ongoing project while inwardly shaking my head. And yet, I persevere and continue.

Not because I want to.

But it’s for whomever I’m enduring this lesson for.

And because someone is watching my walk.

Someone including my young adult children.

Because life ain’t a bowl of cherries.

But God remains faithful and dependable. I can rest in this. And so can you, my friend.

Be encouraged, Kayren

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

(Psalm 119:71)

Resilience

Posted by kayrencathcart

Persistence and endurance…we LOVE these character-building lessons (that often come through tests), don’t we?!

Who voluntarily signs up for resilience training?!? 😵‍💫🫣🤔👀

And yet, we must be patient.

So we endure.

Because we know the end is worth it.

Blessings & stay encouraged, Kayren

“7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

(James 5:7-11)

The Necessary Work of Holding On

Posted by kayrencathcart

“…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong…” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Sometimes just holding on and maintaining your current position takes all the strength and energy you have.

And sometimes that’s all that is required.

Stay encouraged, Kayren

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

(Matthew 24:13)

“8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

(II Corinthians 12:8-10)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

Change & Transformation

The Leadership Lesson

Travelling Light

Navigating Maycember

Gettin’ Off the Merry-Go-Round

A Terrible Thing!

I Will Do Marvels

Close Your Eyes and Follow My Voice

No Exemption from Affliction

Resilience

The Necessary Work of Holding On