Driving Through Rainbows

Posted by kayrencathcart

Rainy days can be kinda dreary.

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.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:11, AMP)

Create Time For Joy

Posted by kayrencathcart

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?!

Yes, THAT tiramisu.

But they did. And all was well with the world!

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;”

(Romans 12:9-10, AMP)

Make a Positive Impact

Posted by kayrencathcart

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.”

(Philippians 4:8-9, AMP)

Pressure vs. Stress

Posted by kayrencathcart

Drop the oversized load, pressure, weight

Is there a difference? One is a response…

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.]”

(Philippians 4:11-13, AMP)

A Teachable Spirit

Posted by kayrencathcart

Do you suffer from delusions of grandeur?

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.”

(Proverbs 12:1-3)

Ignoring It Does NOT Fix the Problem

Posted by kayrencathcart

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.”

(John 9:4)

Learning to Listen

Posted by kayrencathcart

In the past, I’d breeze past life lessons (kinda in fast-forward mode) out of eagerness to “check the box” on the lesson.

Can you relate?

Now I understand that the process is kinda the point of the lesson (moreso than the outcome). #ModernMaturity

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”

(Proverbs 1:5)

Hearsay

Posted by kayrencathcart

Have you ever heard about someone whose life just spoke volumes to you?

My hubby’s barber has an effective witness. I know this by observing his actions – and I’m not even his client!

He’s timely, does consistent work, and operates in integrity.

Can that be said of us? Let’s take a self-check and make the necessary adjustments.

People are watching your walk. Give ‘em something GOOD to talk about.👍🏽😇

Blessings, Kayren

“15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

(Ephesians 5:15-17)

When God Walks You OUT of the Fire

Posted by kayrencathcart

TV, movies, and modern-day entertainment have really messed us up. Most of the time, we really expect magic to happen more than we expect the providence of God to show up on display.

Or is it just me?

But the more I mature, the more I realize that God is invested in PROCESS and not just the outcome – whether it’s deliverance, healing, growth, or learning. Kinda like acing the test doesn’t matter as much as understanding the material and being able to apply it effectively.

It is exam time, eh?

When we release the idea of trying to hold on to the current state (whether it’s comfort, familiarity, mediocrity, or a combination), we make space for God to bring us to the next RIGHT opportunity. Selah.

Blessings, Kayren

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

(Hebrews 11:6)

In Capable Hands

Posted by kayrencathcart

We can all relate to messy tech issues at the most inopportune moments…

The Administrator has taken over! He started clicking into screens I’d never seen.

Probably because I didn’t have the proper level of access…Selah.

Sometimes it can be a bit disconcerting when someone takes control of your computer to fix what’s broken. But there’s also a sense of relief that an expert has got your issues covered, and whatever you called the Help Desk for is gonna be fixed.

God is better than ANY man-made Help Desk!

Plus, He knows the operating system inside and out.

Aren’t you grateful? #Faithful&True #Trustworthy #Dependable

Blessings, Kayren

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

(Psalm 9:10)

“5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”

(Psalm 37:5, 40)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

observation

Driving Through Rainbows

Create Time For Joy

Make a Positive Impact

Pressure vs. Stress

A Teachable Spirit

Ignoring It Does NOT Fix the Problem

Learning to Listen

Hearsay

When God Walks You OUT of the Fire

In Capable Hands