Perspective Maintenance

Temporary Light Affliction

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temporary – not permanent; lasting only a short time; momentary; provisional

Last week, I really understood the saying, “When it rains, it pours.” It was enough to learn on Thursday that my daughter had been diagnosed with tonsillitis and needed to stay home from school the next day due to high fever. This was after an unexpected visit to the neighborhood urgent care facility (which I’d visited last month for my son’s strep throat diagnosis). One emergency averted, right? Good. After delivering her home to my hubby with antibiotics from the pharmacy in tow, I found myself whizzing back to the office in the dark that evening to retrieve my laptop so I could work from home the next day while caring for my sick child.

After saying a prayer for mercy and leaving my car (and keys) with the valet at the hotel adjacent to my office building, I dashed through the lobby and into my building, past the security guard, up the elevator shaft, and to my cube on the eerily empty sixth floor. As I unlocked my laptop, an unknown number was calling my cell phone. I almost ignored it, but I answered it while trying to shut down my computer. “This is the Cabarrus County Health Department; if you ate food from this particular Papa John’s restaurant between these dates…you may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus and need to get vaccinated at tomorrow’s clinic from 4:00-8:00 p.m.” Seriously? Like, right now, is this really happening and we’re among the potential 3,000 people affected?! Alas, it seemed that our pre-weekend 3/28/14 fun night at home with pizza had taken an unpleasant turn for the worse.

After a call to the pediatrician’s office the next morning, I was relieved to find out that both children’s shots were up-to-date, so they were not at risk – hallelujah! However, two more calls revealed that both my husband and I would need to get vaccinated. Ugh – I really don’t like getting shots, but that prospect outweighed a desire to be impacted by the disease’s symptoms, so up the road to the clinic we went, and into line I went to go under the needle and get my “bravery badge” that most folks call a Band-Aid. And so, another short-lived drama played itself out in our household. It came to pass…granted, I’m still waiting to see the “eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” that is yet to be revealed from this one. But I’m truly grateful that we were notified in time for the vaccine to be effective (one day later and we would’ve been outside the window); temporary light affliction indeed…God remains evermore faithful.

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”
(II Corinthians 4:17, NASB)

© Copyright 2014 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Circumspect Speech

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circumspect – cautious, prudent, careful, guarded, wary, judicious, vigilant

I recently met someone who talked more than me – a lot more. And I was pretty amazed. Because when two talkers get together, somebody’s gotta yield. Well, that day, I had to give the right-of-way, because this person could ROLL! I wasn’t being judgmental; conversely, it was almost like looking at a mirror as I wondered to myself, “Hmmm…so is this how I sound to other people when they’re trying to get a word in edgewise during a conversation with me?”

That moment of reflection gave me pause, because my husband declares that when you’re talking, it’s impossible to listen at the same time. For years, I had disagreed with him because I come from a family of talkers and anyway, I have a degree in Speech Communication, right? However, since that (one-sided) conversation, I’ve been weighing my words much more carefully, desiring that they add value and bring life instead of being idle.

Perhaps you’ve seen a thing in someone else that God’s been nudging you to get rid of. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate any longer – just let it go so you can walk circumspectly according to His will for your life.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
(Ephesians 5:15-16)

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
(Matthew 12:36-37)

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
(Colossians 4:6)

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
(Proverbs 16:24)

© Copyright 2014 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Boogers, Warts, and Ashy Skin

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Hey, are you still blogging?
I haven’t seen you post anything new in a while…

For anyone who happened to wonder where I was, I chalk it up to being “under construction” – literally and figuratively.  We recently had a new home built, which was a 6-month process – relatively swift and painless (actually, a JOY with our builder). But add to that preparing for the process of moving (in both the natural the spiritual realm), ensuring a smooth change of my children’s school districts, my own outside-the-home job role evolution, and endeavoring to maintain family and ministry commitments with godly excellence, and you see an equation in which I found myself under a lot of pressure.  It wasn’t necessarily negative pressure, but I had to adjust to the quantity of pressure coming from different directions – all at the same time. And of course, a lot of the pressure was self-induced by a recovering unrealistic perfectionist.

So about the glamorous title of today’s post – you know how we all have ‘em, but nobody wants to admit it or talk about it – let alone highlight it?  Well, I’d kinda backed away from blogging during this latest season of transition because a lot of undesirable “yuckies” were unearthed.  Not only was I purging old, nearly forgotten about stuff from the back of the closet, attic, and garage, but I was doing the same thing with the clutter in my soul. And because I’m pretty transparent when I write, I didn’t want anybody to see my boogers, warts, and ashy skin.  Sure, I could admit they were present, but I didn’t want to shine a huge spotlight on them while I was in the midst of the purge – it was too fresh, too new.  But I encountered all three along my journey to this “new place.”

Nevertheless, I can look back with 20/20 hindsight and thank God for bringing me through the press He designed expressly for me.  Pressure causes one to change, transform, and conform to the image of what’s wielding the pressure.  So I continue to yield my will to His will for my life.  Perhaps in subsequent posts, I’ll be sharing lessons learned and insights illuminated.  Or just reflecting on the process.  Whatever unfolds, it’s not predetermined by me – I am an instrument in the hands of the Master Potter, desiring to be hidden behind the Cross for HIS ultimate glory.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…”
(Romans 7:18a)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
(Romans 8:1-2)

© Copyright 2014 by Kayren J. Cathcart

You Choose: The Light of the World vs. The Weight of the World

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encumber – burden, hinder, hamper, load, handicap

Do you ever feel heavy, weighed down, sluggish, ho-hum, blah, out-of-it?  Sometimes we get so busy doing stuff that we don’t place adequate focus on who we’re in the process of becoming – or on Who orchestrates that process for His divine purposes.

In this season of reflecting on the death, burial, and resurrection of our glorious Savior, let us truly see Him as the Light of the world Who takes away our sin.  As we look unto Jesus, we’ll see that many things we’ve allowed to weigh on us weren’t really ours to carry in the first place.  He went to the cross in our stead and conquered death and the grave so that we wouldn’t have to bear the burden of our own sin.

Because of the gift of salvation, we can experience the joy that freedom in Christ affords – on a daily basis!  Yet, it’s an intentional and deliberate choice.  So unpack your bag and offload some of the extra accumulations that you just don’t need for this leg of the journey.  Then rejoice!

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving…”
(Luke 10:40a)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
(I Peter 5:7)

“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
(Psalm 34:5)

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
(John 8:12)

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
(Revelation 1:18)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Lord Has Haters? You Betcha – But Don’t Be One Of ‘Em!

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oppose – resist, combat, compete with, do battle with, fight, counter, dissent, dispute, contradict

I read Psalm 81 and my jaw dropped. “Knowing the ultimate end of the matter, who in their right mind would be reckless enough to oppose God, the Father Almighty and Sovereign King of the Universe?!” I incredulously wondered aloud.  Then I realized that I had done just that on too many occasions.  Boy, was I convicted.  I don’t wanna be on the losing side in a fixed fight…

On a regular basis, people often test, challenge, and come up against us.  Some of us have outright haters.  But when being persecuted or rejected for righteousness’ sake, appreciate the fact that our Lord also suffered the same treatment – and to a more stringent degree.

Let us check ourselves to make sure we don’t fall into the category of “the haters of the Lord.”  It should make us shudder to even think about not walking in agreement with His way, His will, and His Word.  The New King James Version spells it out even more plainly: we should not pretend submission to God; the New Living Translation says those who do “would be doomed forever.”  Ouch.  That’s a mouthful.  Sobering, isn’t it?  Let the Word of God search out any remaining dark corners of your heart and lead you to swift repentance.

My contrite prayer:  Forgive us for harboring stubborn, rebellious, and contrary hearts, Lord!  May our love for You be evident in our obedience – even when it costs a great deal. What we go through cannot compare to the sacrifice You made at Calvary for our salvation and eternal life.  Thank You for cleansing us with Your precious blood!!!

“The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.”
(Psalm 81:15, KJV)

 “The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever.”
(Psalm 81:15, NKJV)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Your Permissive Will vs. God’s Perfect Will

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Have you ever contemplated and desired to know God’s perfect will for you in a given situation?  A dearly departed relative used to tell me, “I know what you’re saying, but God has a permissive will, too.”  While this may be true, she often said this coupled with something she was trying to influence (or manipulate – more accurately) me to do to her liking.

Out of His great love for us, God has given each of us a free will – we are not robots.  Yet, He desires that we would make the wisest godly choice – and then He generously lays out the best plan according to His perfect will for each of our lives that points out (with flashing lights, bells, and whistles), “Pick THIS ONE! This is the way, walk in it!”

How much simpler could it be?  It’s not rocket science – find out what God is instructing you to do, and do that.  Ta-dah!  Save yourself some heartache – even though you have a wide array of choices, choose the way God instructs.  His blessed path leads to life everlasting.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
(Hebrews 13:20-21)

 “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
(Isaiah 30:21)

 “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!”
(Psalm 81:13)

 “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.”
(Psalm 128:1)

© Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Chronic Disease Alert: Conquer DLS by Resting in the Lord!

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Have you ever suddenly snapped back to consciousness after realizing that you hadn’t been paying attention for the last couple of minutes?  I have.  “Zoning out” can happen when you’re driving, in the midst of a conversation, sitting in a meeting, or in any other variety of scenarios.  Breaking news: you can overcome chronic DLS (Distracted Living Syndrome) by focusing on the Word of God – I’m a witness!

This may not be an earth-shattering report in your opinion, but for me, it was life-changing.  And I only started to notice when I voluntarily cut out some familiar distractions.  You see, as an extremely detail-oriented person, I knew that I was easily distracted by “little things.”  However, I didn’t realize how many “little things” I had allowed to invade my atmosphere…nor was I aware that they were rapidly accumulating.  At that point, I had to decide (consciously or sub-consciously) which distractions to filter out or pay attention to.  That led to a lot of mental exhaustion (and some admittedly ADD/ADHD tendencies), because our minds aren’t designed to constantly process information – at some point, they need to rest.

But in our “24/7 on” society fueled by TV news (or gossip), internet connectivity, roadside billboards, magazine advertisements, computer pop-ups, automated phone calls, text messages, instant messages – and the list goes on – only YOU can draw the line and say when “enough is enough.”  And when you do realize that your cup is about to overflow, I pray that you’ll run to the arms of the Lord to lay every burden at His feet, in exchange for receiving the rest that only He can give.  When we cut out some of the other voices in our ears, we can hear the voice of the Lord with astonishing clarity.  Try it today – unplug from the world and reconnect with your Creator – He’s waiting for you…

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)

 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
(Isaiah 26:3)

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].”
(Isaiah 26:3-4, AMP)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Whoa…Stop Calling Evil Good – It’s NOT!

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I’m speechless…nearly.  Because I saw something today that just wasn’t right.  A young lady was getting on the train as I exited, and I noticed her attire.  What caught my attention was the fact that she had gold cross symbols printed all over on her pants.  A good witness for Jesus during this season of celebrating the Resurrection, right?  Not so fast…

They were skintight leggings that hugged her every curve (and I do mean every, eww, Lord have mercy).  The saving message of the cross of Calvary was likely drowned out by those screaming bulges.  Yikes!

I take issue with the folks who designed, marketed, sold, and profited from creating that mess of a so-called fashion nightmare.  Yet, I say unto you, people of God, “Just because they make it in your size doesn’t mean you should A) buy it, or B) wear it outside your home.”

Choose to dress in tasteful modesty to conceal, not in lust-filled flamboyance to reveal; trust me, some stuff is better left to the imagination.  May the truth of God’s Word open your eyes to see what image is really staring back in the mirror before you (or your family members) step outside the door as a reflection of and ambassador for our precious Lord and Savior…

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
(Isaiah 5:20-21)

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
(I Timothy 2:9-10, NIV)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Thessalonians 5:21-23)

© Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Delight of Deleting Audio Clutter to Savor the Sound of Silence

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Over the weekend, instead of watching TV while I munched on my afternoon salad, I sat in front of my bedroom window and peered out.  I didn’t see any birds or clouds moving, but guess what I did notice?  A twig on a sapling moving back and forth ever so slightly in the wind.  How serene; it spoke peace to my very spirit.  I ruminated, “If nature’s not in a hurry, why should I be?”  I would’ve never been conscious of something that miniscule with the distraction of an electronic box constantly flashing images at my eyes and blaring background noise into my ears.

This morning, I drove to work at a leisurely pace.  I kept the radio off.  And I relished the delicious sound of silence.  It was absolutely sublime.  I saw my commuter train pulling up as I parked and I decided not to run for it.  (Yes, if I’d run through 2 yellow lights, I could’ve been on that train, but refer to my previous posts – I have turned from my wicked ways!).  So I sat patiently in the (warm) car and waited to get on the next train that would arrive in 10 minutes – no harm, no foul.  I visually absorbed my surroundings before stepping out into the drizzle, and then I faced my morning with a smile instead of a dubiously furrowed brow – or worse yet, the “blahs of another dreaded day in the office.”

I am taking my own advice to SLOW DOWN and invest time to reflect on the beauty God has placed within arm’s length.  Are you?  I encourage you to take notice of something today that you haven’t appreciated lately – a delightful surprise might be closer than you think!

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
(Psalm 94:19)

“Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
(Psalm 37:4-5)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Destructive Pace of Haste…& the Rat Race

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destructive – unhelpful, damaging, harsh, caustic, devastating, detrimental, injurious

haste – speed, rush, hurriedness, acceleration

If I truly believe that God is in control and that He orders my steps, do I really have to be in a hurry?  Is it just a bad habit I’ve acquired, or am I mimicking the ways of the world I see hustling and bustling around me?

I have decided to intentionally slow my pace and reflectively assess the difference at day’s end.  I anticipate a greater sense of peace and calm – due to being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things, with the right people.  Not because I did anything to make it happen, but because the sovereign God cares enough about me to orchestrate the events and minutiae of my day and of my life – both of which belong to Him anyway!  By keeping this in mind, I can truly rest in the Lord, be thankful, and let the rat race and all its participants scurry on by.

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
 (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
(Psalm 119:133)

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Psalm 118:24)

© Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart