An Empty Present: A Post-Holiday Reflection

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What an empty feeling to get the present you thought you wanted, only to discover that it doesn’t bring you fulfillment – or longer hair, whiter teeth, stronger muscles, a bigger bank account, greater prestige, or many of the empty promises we heard touted by advertisers in the weeks preceding the Christmas holidays.  Just reflect:  were your holidays celebrated as holy days?  Instead of resolving to do something you knew you wouldn’t do in the new year, did you consider asking God to show you what HE wanted from you in 2011?

I’ll be honest – I did overeat during the holidays a bit more than Weight Watchers would’ve allowed.  Nevertheless, I’m back on track, losing weight again (after several weeks of gaining!), being more disciplined, making healthier food choices, and getting back into my exercise routine.  But I’m grateful that I didn’t overspend.  Because I’ve been in that position before – and it hurts when the sparkle wears off.  Every action has a result.  The euphoria of having something shiny or new diminishes exponentially when you realize how much it’s going to cost you…every month…for several years.  And then you have to ask yourself:  was it worth it?

I believe there’s actually a correlation between overeating and overspending – in both instances, you think you don’t have to pay for it now.  But the big secret is this:  you will have to pay for it eventually!  And interest is mounting up significantly.  While excess fat that you don’t burn off accumulates on the hips (and other spots!), spending (or charging) what you don’t have today racks up credit card debt. 

By now, the bill cycles from Christmas decisions (and indecisions) are running and being delivered to mailboxes far and wide.  Though the specific day celebrated as Christmas has come and gone, it is still quite appropriate to ask your Creator for the right gift this year.  Troubled, anxious, worried, fretful?  What you really need is peace – that only comes from the Prince of Peace.  Puzzled, confused, wavering?  You need the Wonderful Counsellor.  Looking for direction and instruction?  The Mighty God and Everlasting Father will show you the way – for He is the Way.

Don’t bankrupt yourself – in the natural or in the spirit realm.  Nobody wants an empty present birthed out of an impulsive past that leads to a bleak future.  Choose life!  Make wise decisions!  Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving…taste and see.

“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.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

 

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

(II Corinthians 9:15)

© Copyright 2011 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Waiting in Line: An Opportunity to Practice Patience (and to be perfected)

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Happy New Year to y’all in the blogosphere!  My new year is off to a great start – how about yours?  Thanks for reading; I look forward to another year of growth as we continue to mature and develop with the help of God’s Word.  Be abundantly blessed and stay encouraged! 🙂

Grateful to approach yet another birthday, I found myself at the DMV to renew my driver’s license earlier this month.  Unfortunately, the stereotypes about government offices held true during this visit; it ended up not being the most enjoyable way to spend my day off from work. However, it was necessary since I wanted to remain in good standing with the State.  In light of the fact that neither folding my arms, tapping my toes, rolling my eyes, nor sighing with visible exasperation would change my predicament, I prepared myself mentally for the imminent line.

So I waited outside.  In the cold.  Behind a young pregnant lady…and her icky cigarette smoke blowing into my face.  And I realized that being anxious wouldn’t speed things up one bit.  We finally got inside the door (with the heat) within 5 minutes.  I moved up a slot after the fresh-faced teenager (behind the pregnant lady) discovered she’d have to come back tomorrow.  Because of her place near the back of the line, she wasn’t guaranteed to be seated for the road test by 4:00 p.m. – which of course, was a requirement.  It was 3:15 p.m.  I could tell this was gonna take a while…with the “standing room only” area obviously near capacity, the line inside the building wound its way through several velvet ropes.  This was like hanging around a club I didn’t want to pay a cover charge to enter…

By the time I’d reached the front of the line, I’d served as the Unofficial Southern Welcome Wagon to a nice lady who’d recently moved here from Wisconsin.  If I must pass the time, at least I can be kind to someone, right?  I even held up my mirror for the pregnant lady while she put on eye shadow for her impending “photo opportunity.”  She put more effort into her glam look than I put into my own; I was ready to get outta that cramped place that looked like it was stuck in the 80s!

At 4:05 p.m., a matter-of-fact DMV employee announced to those still in line that there were no guarantees they’d get a terminal for the computer test today (do we see a theme here?)…so I guess it’s “wait at your own risk?”  At least by then, I was out of the dreadful line and seated behind the counter amongst strangers who looked more annoyed than I felt.

Anyhoo, as steady progress was made – hallelujah! – my number was finally called!  I didn’t have to use corrective lenses to pass the sign test…bless the Lord for the wonders of LASIK surgery!  And my hair looked great since my sister had just given me new highlights for my birthday gift.  I’m thinking my picture will look pretty decent for someone who’s been on the planet over 3 decades!  But I’d have to wait to see it since it the official copy had to be mailed to me…yes, more waiting.  I folded the temporary paper I’d have to retain as my proof of certification to operate a motor vehicle and added it to my wallet.  I was glad to be on my way before 5:00 p.m.  It hadn’t been so bad after all. 

Funny how time changes so many things.  I am grateful for another year of life – truly, time is in God’s hands.  Come to think of it, I’m very appreciative for His patience with me.  How are you practicing patience this year?

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”

(Psalm 40:1-3)

 

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

(II Thessalonians 3:5) 

© Copyright 2011 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Getting Low

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Maybe I’m wrong, but somehow, I just don’t think anyone signs up for a class in humility.  Yet, when the wake-up call comes, it’s like, “Oh yeah, the Word does tell me to humble myself, doesn’t it?”  It’s no mystery, and it’s not rocket science.  It’s part of our faith walk.  And when we walk in humility, we’re in a position that captures God’s attention because we’re acknowledging Him as sovereign and supreme in our lives – and not just relegating Him to the position of someone we consult from time to time when things get tight.

Humility has been one of my Pastor’s key sermon highlights for several weeks, but obviously, I didn’t get the personal message until I saw blinking neon lights and arrows pointing straight at me.  Well, God’s got my attention now, for sure.  And as much as I know I’ve grown this year (insert retrospective year-end reflection music here), He showed me ever so gently today that He will require all the more of me in the coming days of the new year.  It’s not an emotional thing; it’s an obedience thing.  So I should give God what He wants, not just what’s convenient for me, right?  Right.

And that requires humbling myself, realizing that whatever ideas I can come up with in my finite mind could NEVER surpass the plan of the almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent God Who created me.  What an humbling thought.  Perhaps getting low is the best way to enter a new year…on my knees and with my heart bowed in true worship. 

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

(I Peter 5:5-7)

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Take Another Look: Before and After

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Many times when I’m at home, I eat “on the go” while standing up at the counter.  Today, God nudged me to slow my pace and sit down at the table.  Really?  OK.  I opened the curtains to survey my backyard while I enjoyed my lunch.  Sure, I see my backyard all the time.  But today, I took a moment to really look at it.  And what I saw surprised me.

Today is overcast, gray, and cloudy.  The badminton net my hubby triumphantly struggled to anchor to the ground has blown over into defeated crumple.  A lone bird sits atop a neighbor’s roof.  The box where our garden thrived has been cleared out; it’s an empty space now.  Not one leaf remains on the tree swaying in the cold, biting wind.  Palm tree stumps – all that’s left of what got hewn down after the first frost – sit staunchly as if waiting for warmth that is nowhere in sight.  Huge patches of brown grass outnumber sprigs of rapidly fading green grass.  What a bleak and dreary picture.

It seemed like just a few weeks ago when birds chirped happily as they raided the bird feeders.  Sunbeams streamed through puffy clouds on the backdrop of a bright blue sky, sometimes laced with a delightful rainbow if we peeked at the right time.  Our garden yielded a weekly bounty of fresh vegetables bursting with life.  The green palm trees my hubby planted waved in the warm gentle breeze.  Leaves and cherry blossoms filled another tree, and a lush carpet of grass invited us out to play until sunset.  Yet, looking at the backyard reminded me of the importance – and inevitable passing – of the seasons.  After having a kinda “blah” day yesterday, I needed that message:  this too shall pass. 

I love watching makeover shows like “What Not To Wear,” “How Do I Look,” “Neat,” and “Clean House.”  Seeing the transformation of a person’s thought patterns – as evidenced by an improvement in their personal appearance or a new arrangement of their living space – is intriguing to me.  Perhaps this backyard glimpse was just the reminder I needed that God’s promise of newness will surely accompany the approach of Spring.  I am thankful for the quiet moment of reflection as I anticipate God’s promises yet to be fulfilled…a new year awaits around the corner, doesn’t 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) 

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Where Are You On the Totem Pole?

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During a recent conversation with a brother in Christ, I mentioned several of these things, and his response was, “That sounds like a blog entry to me!”  So I’m sharing this with you in obedience…may you meditate on God’s Word to those He loves. After all, this season is about reflecting on His extravagant love, demonstrated through the precious gift of Christ…oh, how we need Him!

In these turbulent times, it pays to be in proper position according to God’s will.  Often, we feel that we should be in a higher position at work, paid more, given more responsibility, recognized more.  Have you ever considered that, at least for this season, you’re exactly where God wants you to be?  In order to learn, you have to admit that you don’t know everything – OUCH!  If you’re in the role of a student, you’re learning something new, or you’re someone who has a manager and is being managed, there’s a reason!  In my first job straight out of college, I thought I was ready for a management position until I was honest with myself and admitted, “I really need a manager; I don’t have it together like I thought I did!  There are some skills I must sharpen before I’m truly prepared to accept a role with that level responsibility.”

As we celebrate the season of the birth of Christ, we must acknowledge that a stable was not the expected point of entry for a King, right?  However, that’s exactly how God planned it.  When we are humble, it’s easier to condescend to men of low estate than when we are high-minded and haughty (Romans 12:16).  Being what others consider the “low man on the totem pole” may be a position of safety, security, and provision for you.  Getting out from under that umbrella may expose you to undue problems and complications.  As my husband says, “I don’t need to be important; during war, “important people” get killed first.”

We cannot assess worth and significance based solely on what our natural senses tell us.  Only God knows when a washpot has more value than a Ming vase.  The vase may look exquisite when displayed on a shelf, but what practical purpose does it serve?  The washpot gets used daily – multiple times a day.  So how are you allowing God to use you these days?  Is He receiving glory from your life because you’re submitted to His will, even when (and especially when) it punishes your flesh?

Stay low.  Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.  Then watch what He will do next… 

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

(Romans 12:3)

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

(I Peter 5:5-7)

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Obedience vs. the Sloppy Seconds of “Doing God a Favor”

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favor – act of kindness, good deed, help, aid 

Have you ever felt like you were “doing God a favor?”  Like He should be content that at least you did A and B, even though you didn’t do C like He instructed?

Tell the truth – there was a day when showing up at church on a non-holiday was a major accomplishment for you, and you felt like God should be completely satisfied now that you’d “checked the box” for the year.  As if your mere presence would be considered the greatest gift since sliced bread.  As if He didn’t desire to bless you for coming to learn His character, to be strengthened and challenged by His Word, and to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  As if you wouldn’t grow, develop, and mature the more you were exposed to the truth of His Word.  As if it was all about your comfort and pleasure, instead of you glorifying, serving, and worshipping Him with your life.  As if.

I am convinced that God doesn’t need my help; He requires my obedience.  And that’s better than any sacrifice I can offer as an alternative, substitution, or replacement for what He asks of me.  Even when it’s hard on my flesh.  Especially when it’s hard on my flesh.  Are you listening to His voice?  Let Him work in you…

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

(I Samuel 15:22)

 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

(Philippians 2:13) 

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Old Keys

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After my hubby recently got a new front door installed, he then installed a new lock and gave me the new key.  I put it on my already full key ring, right next to the old (and now obsolete) house key.  Why was I keeping the old key?  I reasoned, “I’ll put the new key next to the old one so the old shape can trigger a reminder that I need to select and use the new one.”  Sound convoluted?  I agree.  But worse, I realized this morning that I have a bunch of old keys that I’m carrying around every day in my purse – to what avail?

Let’s see…I have the copies of my mom’s old 4-door Pontiac 6000 that I drove during sophomore year of college when I had a spring internship (yes, that was in the late 1990s), AND consequently, that car was sold a long time ago.  Yeah, I suppose I could get rid of those two useless keys.  Then there’s the key to my grandmother’s house (rest her soul; she passed away two years ago on Thanksgiving Day); I suppose I’m keeping that for sentimental reasons.  Since I haven’t lived at that address for 10 years, and they’ve since added a deadbolt (for which I don’t have the key), that’s not doing me any good! 

So really, I guess the only key I need to carry on a daily basis is my current house key (for the new door) and my current vehicle keys.  Organization really is God’s plan to simplify our lives.  But I could’ve attested to that yesterday while cleaning out my purse when I (finally) discarded receipts and grocery lists over 6 months old…geez, old clutter can accumulate unawares until it becomes a mountain…attack first! And wouldn’t you know that today’s Weight Watchers meeting talked about “having a ceremony to retire our old materials – get rid of ‘em; they won’t work anymore!” since we’ll be learning about a completely new program rolling out after Thanksgiving?  I’ve got more “throwing out” to do; God really knows how to underscore a message…

The moral of this diatribe:  Get rid of old baggage that serves no purpose in your present.  A key is only as valuable as what it’s able to unlock.  What “old keys” (or memories, thoughts, habits, photos, or other items) do you need to discard today?

“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”

(Mark 2:22)

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Just One – Really?

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moderation – restraint, control, self-control, temperance

Moderation isn’t popular these days.  I’ve found that it goes hand-in-hand with that discipline thing…and isn’t temperance a fruit of the Spirit?  Yeah…Galatians 5.  Pop culture glorifies and glamorizes excess in just about everything – and now we want more of just about everything.  The multitude of marketing and advertising messages that constantly bombard us through a variety of media (strategically crafted for millions of dollars, might I add) tease, tantalize, and tempt our senses.  We can almost smell, feel, and taste things we see dancing across our TV screens – that’s pretty powerful!

As I munched on some Pringles chips the other day, I remembered the jingle they used a few years ago, “Once you pop, you can’t STOP!”  With all intentions of having “just a few chips,” I started humming as I crunched and drifted into reminiscing on the days when my mom packed Pringles for my own lunches…before Weight Watchers, before being a “responsible adult,” before counting the “few chips” I’d surpassed.  Before I knew it, 4 chips, then ¼ of the can, and finally 1/3 of the can had disappeared – all with mindless nibbling and thinking about a catchy product tune!  I quickly snapped back to reality as I glanced at the label, fat content per serving, and calculated how much I’d need to exercise to burn off that little “snack detour.”  Now I won’t go so far as to say that I believe some dark forces implanted ideas into my brain as a child and are triggering them in my adulthood to make me overweight (think “The Manchurian Candidate”)…or would I???  LOL…

In all seriousness, we have to stay on guard and fight the wiles of the enemy.  Random ideas and fleeting, idle thoughts often come to accost us – the challenge is what we do with them.  Will we actively choose to walk according to the Word, or will we passively allow the flesh to dominate?  Will we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, or will we fallaciously continue to think we have the power to have “just one?”  Don’t fool yourself – obedience to God’s Word is the best choice.  Perhaps I should create a new tune, “If you don’t pop, you won’t have to stop!”

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

(Philippians 4:5)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

(James 4:7-8) 

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Is Your Soul for Sale?

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Several co-workers asked me what my children dressed up as over the weekend and if they had fun trick-or-treating.  When I replied, “We don’t celebrate Halloween” firmly but with a smile, they swiftly moved along and signaled the end of our conversation.  Gone are the days of me trying to “fit in” just for the sake of casual conversation; I am compelled to stand up for righteousness.  As my son put it, “We don’t celebrate the devil or give him any glory because this is the day the LORD has made!”  My sentiments exactly; may God’s truth prevail!

My hubby had set the DVR to record some of the “Unsung” programs about high-profile recording artists who dropped out of the public’s eye after achieving what appeared to be fame and success.  This weekend, we watched a couple of episodes and were amazed at how rapaciously the machine known as the “music recording industry” used people, chewed them up, spat them out, and then looked for fresh, new victims.  One woman felt emptiness during her 20 years as an R&B artist, but rejoiced that the void was filled when she returned to her roots in Gospel music and focused on developing her relationship with Jesus. 

In my younger days, I thought I wanted to pursue a recording career.  Since then, I’ve had many wake-up calls to make me evermore grateful that those circumstances never materialized.  This program sounded one of those alarms.  How devastating it must be to put your time, energy, and effort – your life – into something of little to no eternal value.  Sure, people say what a nice voice you have – but are they there when you’re crying in the middle of the night, alone and empty, tired of road touring and wanting to spend quality time with your family?  No.

Gray areas and occasions for compromise present themselves daily.  Indeed, the lure of material gain and recognition by man can be enticing, but we must know where we stand – in Christ – before the pressure comes.  Selling your soul (whether in one fell swoop or a piece at a time) comes at a great price…and it’s never worth it.  Selah.

In these critical times, one misstep can cost us more than we’re willing to pay.  Let us be conscious of making godly decisions guided by the Holy Spirit each day…

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

(Matthew 16:26) 

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Real Love In Action IS Action

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I’m just sayin’…

Real love makes you pan fry fish on a weeknight at your spouse’s request.  Without grumbling.  Or rolling your eyes…at least not a lot.  After you’ve worked all day – and he has, too.  When you were excited that there was already a meal prepared during your massive amounts of weekend free time (NOT!) and waiting in the fridge.  So you were planning to kinda chill out after checking homework, facilitating bath time, reading bedtime stories, and tucking children in.  And you’re on Weight Watchers and you know that you don’t need to have fried food.  Even though you put some fish in the oven to bake it for yourself.  Because it’s healthier.  And you didn’t get to exercise today because you forgot about the lunch meeting with co-workers on your calendar during your workout time.  And you “treated” yourself to french fries then when you didn’t really need ‘em.

But you’re a southern chef (sort of) and naturally, you taste while you cook.  So at least you eat more baked fish than fried fish once it’s all cooked.  And you’re happy to serve your spouse with a smile. Because you’re grateful that God has blessed you with this particular spouse.  Even though it would’ve been a little (okay, maybe a lot) easier to make a healthier choice if your spouse had asked for baked fish.  But you love your spouse and you want them to have what they ask for.  With hot sauce, of course.  Did I mention that the baked fish was really good, but the fried fish was slammin’?

Real love in action.  Know what I’m sayin’?  Yeah, that also includes my workout tomorrow…

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

(I Corinthians 13:13, NIV) 

© Copyright 2010 by Kayren J. Cathcart