I experienced a “mic drop moment” when God reminded me that it’s not even a competition when HE calls and chooses you…this is GOOD NEWS!
Esther replaced Vashti as queen.
David replaced Saul as king.
What does God have in store for YOU?
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
(Esther 2:17)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
Esther stood out as distinguished above MANY. How can you allow YOUR God-given uniqueness to shine through as you minister to others today? I’d love to hear your comments…
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
(Esther 2:17)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
For decades (really!), I have LOVED reading and studying the book of Esther. During my Quiet Time tonight, God revealed some additional nuggets that really spoke to me in my current season. I will share them over the next several days. Please share a comment if these reminders bless you as much as they blessed me…
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
(Esther 2:17)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
I’m on Instagram as @kayrencathcart. I invite you to install the app to follow my photos and videos. I’m excited to have another way we can connect so I can share inspiration, motivation, & encouragement! Blessings to you from the GenX TechnoDino, 🦖Kayren 😊 LOL🤣 https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1njmqjuclddmj&utm_content=m8e2pin
Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: Walking THROUGH the Storm
https://anchor.fm/kayren-cathcart/episodes/Walking-THROUGH-the-Storm-e13ps6j
Has anyone else found themselves trying to microwave a miracle, a manifestation, or a moment? I’m old enough (and experienced enough) to know that life doesn’t work this way. Hitting the “fast forward” button to skip over the routine, mundane parts in an attempt to “get to the good part” only happens with technology. In real life, process requires time and has patience inherently baked in as an essential requirement (is that redundant? LOL). Yet, in repetitively familiar cycles, I find myself in the same place (albeit with a different situation and set of circumstances) trying to hurry the results.
While reading about joy this morning, I found myself speeding up and just trying to “get to the end.” Mentally, I wanted to check the box for “completed morning devotions.” How disingenuous, insincere, and un-worshipful! I realized I hadn’t even noticed (let alone processed, absorbed, or retained) what I just read. Isn’t the point of reading about joy to draw closer to God? I was going through the motions and missing the point.
I repented and reread the passage, from the top – slower, deliberately, and with intention. I saw a phrase pop out that was confirmation of what God had spoken to me previously this week, but I was probably rushing too much for its significance to even register. I laughed as I was reminded that the point of reading about joy isn’t to complete the reading, but to be pulled into closer relationship with the Source of Joy. Perspective maintenance complete? Check!
My prayer for us today is that we slow down long enough to experience the love of God instead of just reading or hearing about it – there’s a tremendous difference! May we be refreshed as true joy causes our strength to be renewed…
“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
(Nehemiah 8:10)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
Listen to this episode of my podcast:
https://anchor.fm/kayren-cathcart/episodes/Spring-Cleaning-of-the-Soul-Release-the-Garbage-euct01
As I sat on the porch waiting for my lunch to finish cooking, I marvelled in the beauty of this splendiferous sunny Spring afternoon. I soaked up the rays amidst the natural wonder of warbling birds, flitting butterflies, and a mischievous chameleon stealthily navigating the shrubs. Out of nowhere, the garbage collector noisily rumbled down the street…and then went away as the sound faded in the distance. As quickly as the truck appeared, it dumped the container’s contents into its massive jaws and vanished down the street. Then it ambled around another corner to collect from the other side of the street.
I waved to the driver in appreciation for the consistent service of keeping our community clean and safe. Yet, I was struck by the fact that I saw no one running down the street behind the garbage truck saying, “Hey, I put my old rubbish and refuse in there for you to haul it away, but I’ve had a change of heart…stop and gimme back my stuff!”
If that’s the case in the natural, why don’t we let the garbage collector haul away our old thoughts, habits, emotions, hurt feelings, and inaccurate beliefs that no longer serve us in our current space & place? Why do we insist upon tightly clutching what can only be accurately labeled as TRASH?! Prayerfully consider what “Spring Cleaning of the Soul” would be to your benefit this week – and then, release the garbage. You’ll find yourself in a better position to allow God to fill that new space with HIS goodness…
“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)
“4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
(Revelation 21:4-5)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
For someone with “math phobia,” I’ve certainly been dealing with a lot of numbers lately!
I just competed in a Spring 2021 Toastmasters Area contest tonight. I won Second Place in both categories – International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest. And you know what? For this recovering perfectionist, it feels great! Why? Because I challenged myself to compete in BOTH contests (instead of staying in my comfort zone with just one), I prepared in advance, I determined to have fun no matter what, and I did my best. My response to NOT winning First Place in either contest signifies that I’m GROWING – and that’s what life is about. Plus, I got to hear a bunch of really good speeches and learn some new techniques for speaking effectiveness and excellence!
So here’s the backstory. In the Fall of 2020, I competed in my first Toastmasters contest. I won First Place at my Club Contest, which was pretty cool since my competition was no lightweight. I advanced to the Area Contest, where I won First Place for the Evaluations Speech Contest – it was exhilarating. When I moved ahead to the Division Contest, I didn’t even place – not even third. Seriously! I was stunned…and if I hadn’t had other stuff going on in my life, I might have felt a bit bruised or crushed. (Kinda ironic since I’ve had my share of musical competitions where I didn’t place at the top…but that was decades ago LOL…time does heal wounds – even not making All-State Chorus LOL).
Yet, after a dazed day (or 2 or 3) of wondering whether I exceeded the given time limit and trying to figure out what exactly counted against me, I decided to let that “kick in the pants” propel me into my “next.” Since I know I want to do more public speaking, I decided to keep working at improving my skills. I began giving speeches more frequently (every week) and invited candid feedback, which I diligently incorporated the following week. And I saw my “speaking muscles” growing stronger with every speech.
Today, I celebrate ALL who participated and gave of themselves and their personal stories in the Spring 2021 contests, especially my Mentee who competed for the first time – I’m really proud of him for stepping up to the plate and the way he represented our Toastmasters Club. There’s something to be said for knowing what to expect “the next time.”
So I didn’t win First Place this time – it’s all good. I get the opportunity to give another speech at my home club (filled with people I absolutely enjoy growing with) tomorrow. I’m advancing along my Pathways (the Toastmasters educational program) journey at a strong clip. And before the contest ended tonight, I was asked to provide a keynote speech at another club – wow! That squeak sounds like doors of opportunity opening to me…
No matter what the award says, it’s a win either way – and a matter of perspective. GOD gets the ultimate glory because the gifts belong to HIM – and HIS is the only applause and approval I need. I’m excited for what’s yet to come as I continue working to develop my passion – encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others! What wins can you celebrate with gratitude this week?
#WatchMeGrow #LosingIsWinning #LossIsGain #Lose2Gain
Blessings to you,
Kayren 🙂
“7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
(II Corinthians 4:7-10)
“7 But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].
8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ,”
(Philippians 3:7-8, AMP)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
Today wasn’t a cartoon-y kinda day for me. There was just a certain gravity I felt. Sometimes your cup gets full, and tears leak outta the corners of your eyes, ya know? As I considered the events of my past 7 days (some weighty, others celebratory) – not to mention the past month – I got full. So much is changing in and around me, even as my “stay at home” surroundings remain. I guess I was overdue for a good ol’ cleansing, let-it-all-out type of cry.
It’s what happens when you realize that whatever food you shove down your gullet doesn’t fill that empty place in your soul. You feel it when checking the next item off your list of goals doesn’t bring the lingering sense of accomplishment you’d anticipated. You’re reminded every time you reflect on the list of dreams you tucked away (again) because you think it may be just beyond your grasp – and yet, you can’t let it go because you’re called to it.
You’re smack dab in the middle of growth and change with no roadmap, no template, no lifejacket. Kept afloat and constantly buoyed by hope and faith. Propelled by persistence and propensity to persevere.
Does it hurt a butterfly to emerge from its cocoon no longer a caterpillar? Regardless of pain or its absence through the process, the butterfly comes forth lookin’ different and actin’ different – because it IS different!
The process of transformation is intricate, detailed, and cannot be rushed; yet, neither can it be prevented. How many times have we tried to remain in the same place of comfort and familiarity, only to be thrust forward and propelled into something unknown but totally aligned with our divine destiny?
It’s March, it’s Spring, and it’s time to PUSH…I don’t know what’s coming, but I know it’s big. What will YOU birth in this season? Let us diligently prepare now…our purpose awaits!
“But he knoweth the way that I take:
when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
(Job 23:10)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
Well, I’m certainly grateful to see 2021 – with me in it! I’m looking forward to new EVERYTHING: possibilities, opportunities, friendships, learnings – you name it, I’m pretty much trying to be open to it.
Perhaps it’s the maturity inherent in my birthday approaching in a few days, but I think I’m FINALLY embracing change more than I fear it. This is HUGE!
A fresh start is a gift that cannot be wrapped, but one that commands respect and deserves full appreciation and utilization. May each of us put the gift of this new year to use wisely…
Praying blessings and God’s perfect will be done in your life this year,
Kayren 🙂
p.s. My http://www.PaperPolisher.com website got a refresh over the holidays – I’d love for you to take a peek and share a comment on my fresh start…and feel free to share any fresh start YOU’RE excited about, too! Let’s support each other as we make this our best year yet…
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
(Revelation 21:5)
© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart
Kayren Cathcart's Blog 