pressure

Take a Break!🕊

Posted by

0

OK to take a break 11-26-2021

There’s no need for us to get caught up in the hoopla of the world system. Sabbath is restorative…let’s practice for proficiency.🙌🏽 May rest and restoration be yours today, my friend!🕊 #Selah

Blessings,

Kayren

“8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.“

(Exodus 20:8)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Living in the Moment

Posted by

0

Recently, I’ve been scheduling my posts a few days in advance.🤓 The planner in me is learning that if I don’t post until that day (or evening), it’s ok, too.👍🏼 Actually, it’s relieving a lot of ridiculously self-imposed stress…I encourage you to try it.🕊

Learning to give ourselves grace is a priceless gift.😇🎁 Earlier this week, I walked in the morning and enjoyed the freshness of the day.

Today, I walked as dusk began to set in, and I was treated to a glimpse of the moon’s magnificence amidst the stunning backdrop of God’s gorgeous Autumn palette.🎨🙌🏽 Sharing photos that don’t come close to capturing the essence of the beauty and peace I experienced “off-schedule.”😏

Here’s to our well-being in this season of Thanksgiving…🍂🍁

“He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.”

(Psalm 104:19)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Cost of Surrender to God

Posted by

0

What more can I say?💯

For more timely wisdom like this, watch Episode 3 of The Convo Lab – Kayren Cathcart & Shaundrelle Green:

https://tinyurl.com/TheConvoLabShaundrelleGreen

Seasons Change…Do YOU?

Posted by

0

Do you struggle with embracing change? I certainly have!

“We can’t stay the same; nothing in life is designed to stay the same,” shares Shaundrelle Green, CEO of She, Inc. (Sisters Healing & Evolving). “Everything changes when you yield…embrace the change.”

For more timely wisdom like this, watch Episode 3 of The Convo Lab with Kayren Cathcart & Shaundrelle Green:

https://tinyurl.com/TheConvoLabShaundrelleGreen

Drop me a comment after you watch; I wanna to hear from you…and please Like, Share, Comment, and Subscribe to my YouTube channel for notifications of new episodes!

Blessings, Kayren

“20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

(Daniel 2:20-22)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Pursuing Progress, Process, or Both?

Posted by

2

Butterfly KC 8-29-2019

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

Finding Grace at the Bonfire

Posted by

0

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Just as tears and rain are cleansing, so is fire. This morning’s sermon caught me in a place where I immediately repented. I felt the need to take an intentional action to signify my new start as I (once again) hit the reset button on walking in obedience.

I had to wait my turn for the fire pit/altar on my back porch. It seemed that I wasn’t the only one who needed God to consume some stuff that had been accumulating for too long. My wonderful hubby decreed and declared that we’re moving to paperless billing as he vigorously purged old home office files.

I watched as the stacks of papers he’d put in the fire pit curled up in the flames and turned to ash. Then I tossed my own papers (actually, cardboard toilet paper centers – fitting, eh? – on which I’d written my confessions that I was symbolically sacrificing to the Lord) into the fire. In moments, they were utterly consumed, no longer existing in their previous form. Later that evening, as the fire was still burning, it began to rain. More cleansing. More gratitude.

I am thankful that God heard my prayer, received my repentance, and forgave me with His abundant grace, mercy, and love. Because of the Blood of Jesus, my sins are covered; like the papers in the fire, they have been obliterated. I am so humbled that God wipes the slate clean and offers a fresh start when we come to Him acknowledging our sins and shortcomings!

Friend, what do YOU need to place on the Lord’s altar for Him to consume so it’s not unnecessary baggage dragged into 2021? We don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve…we can approach his throne boldly and with confidence today! Try it…you’ll probably feel lighter afterwards. I did!

“15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 

16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”

(Hebrews 4:15-16, AMP)

“28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.”

(Hebrews 12:28-29, KJV)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

My Best Gifts Are NOT Under the Tree This Year

Posted by

3

20201122_0041244542984292707457445.jpg

Filled to overflowing with gratitude, overwhelmed by the goodness of God, and perhaps a bit hopped up on the choco-chip-walnut cookies I baked and nibbled too close to bedtime, I had to get up and capture this moment.

Earlier tonight, my teens put the lights on our Christmas tree (without adult supervision!); it was fun to eavesdrop on their bantering conversation. Yesterday, they assembled the tree. I think we’re subconsciously decorating in phases since the boxes of ornaments, tinsel, bows, and all things festive were dragged from the attic and wreaths hung outside two days ago. They left the tree lights on after they went to bed, and I was mesmerized by the simple, unfinished, yet unadorned with ornaments beauty when I caught a glimpse on my way to refill my water bottle.

This year, I am super-excited about the holidays – to the point that I got each member of the family themed holiday pajamas for Christmas morning photos. (#MemoryMakingMama #GuiltyNotSorry!). I’m so excited that I’m ready to wear mine in November! LOL 😜🤣🎉

This is evidence of personal growth that has taken time and diligent self-work. My grandmother passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2008, so the holiday season was bittersweet for me for several years. Not until recently did I personally experience Christ removing the sting of death FOR ME, and it made all the difference. Grief is a process, but so is life, healing, forgiveness, and restoration – and none of these processes should be rushed or glossed over. For too long, I lived suspended between past memories and fantasy wishes beyond my grasp, while attempting to ignore (sometimes harsh) reality. This year, I’m in a place to embrace the entire spectrum of life and all that it holds – and that feels GOOD…like breathing in clean, fresh air.

This year, I am unbound by a calendar. Honestly, I feel that I’ve experienced both Thanksgiving and Christmas in my heart on multiple occasions in the past couple of months…and I look forward to celebrating with my family throughout the remainder of 2020 and into the new year. I’m not waiting anymore. My declaration of appreciation for God’s grace and goodness has already begun. And I’m thankful that this year, my best and most meaningful gifts are not under the Christmas tree. May you discover the same realization to be true for you…

Praying God’s abundant blessings for you and your family during this holiday season,

Kayren

“55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

(I Corinthians 15:55-58)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Anything BUT Routine: Are You Auditing Life?

Posted by

4

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

audit (verb) – attend (a class) informally, not for academic credit;
inspect, examine, survey, scrutinize, probe, vet, investigate, assess, check, analyze, evaluate, study, peruse, sift, dissect
audit (noun) – an official inspection of an individual’s or organization’s accounts, typically by an independent body

Most folks who really know me are aware of my natural “night owl” tendencies. When everyone in my house is asleep, I savor the peace, quiet stillness when I can reflect, meditate, and write. However, as the past several months of the “stay at home” routine have been anything but routine, my sleep schedule has gotten unusually whacked out. Being overtired doesn’t really make me wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, so my exercise routine is anything but routine. And everyone knows that when you’re overtired and not exercising regularly, your eating habits are anything but routine. So here I find myself gargling with warm salt water and vinegar since my resistance is lower for the aforementioned reasons.

After I stepped out of the shower groggy and borderline cranky, I brushed my teeth and mindlessly wandered over to step on the scale. Not until I was back in front of the sink rinsing my mouth did I realize that I didn’t even look to see the number on the scale. Probably because I’d already looked before I got in the shower and wasn’t anticipating a pre-midnight fat-shrinking miracle…but moreso because I was just wandering aimlessly. Not intentionally moving with purpose along a determined course, path, or plan – I was “tumbling.”

Earlier in my career, I worked in the Internal Audit Department of a large financial services institution. For this li’l ol’ liberal artsy Southern Belle in a communications role who had never taken an accounting class, it was an eye-opening learning experience. Everything was logically organized in folders (both physical and electronic) – for ease of filing, cataloging, and storage, but also for the purposes of providing historical documentation and proof of process/procedure/policy. If something was missing from the file, it was an outlier during an audit. If something hadn’t been corrected that was called out in a prior inspection, an explanation was required. At any time, a record could be accessed to review the status of a given group. 

When I absentmindedly stepped on that scale the second time, I was immediately convicted of going through the motions – like I was auditing the class of life instead of wholeheartedly embracing and participating in every opportunity afforded. I had succumbed to the mundane instead of committing to create the excellent and extraordinary in the part of my environment that I could control.

I found myself tonight being audited by the Spirit of God (the Supreme Independent Body Who is able to reveal and assess every innermost part) as I’d bobbed along the waves and drifted past the buoys of the “how much longer” saga of coronavirus, weather phenomena, social injustice, political tomfoolery, and the impending apocalypse (that’s been 2,000+ years in the making) instead of keeping my eyes firmly fixed on HIM. I had to admit I was living distracted – and it was showing like a frayed and tattered ribbon unravelling. 

So I did the only thing you can do when a bright light is shined on the dark places still lurking in your heart – I repented. And recommitted to get back on track. Again. Tomorrow morning, I start afresh and anew, grateful for the gift of His amazing grace once again bestowed on me without measure.

“A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.”
(Proverbs 11:1)
“TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
(Daniel 5:27)
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
(II Corinthians 2:14)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Cold or Hot?

Posted by

0

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

My hubby says I must be “part lobster” because I like to take really hot baths.
I guess all that’s missing is some Old Bay Seasoning…

Through my sleep-deprived coronafog this week, I struggled to get a hot bath on 2 separate occasions – but alas, the faucets were not cooperating. I couldn’t figure out why – after letting the water run for almost 5 minutes – it was still tepid…a most unpleasant prospect for us crustaceans. A semi-warm bath just won’t cut it. Two nights ago, I thought extended showers by my wonderful teens who also ran the dishwasher took all of Mom’s hot water, so I reluctantly resorted to a shower when the bath taps still responded barely warm. I was so tired, I almost stomped through the bathroom. I’m intentionally working on my evening wind-down routine after being in front of computer screens most of the day.

Tonight, my candles were lit and I NEEDED a therapeutic bath with epsom salts. So I went to The Fixer, my handy-dandy hubby (who’d just done a masterful job on our subway tile kitchen backsplash – way to go, honey!). 🙂 He checked the hot water heater that was up as high as it could go. Hot water ran from every other faucet but my tub…until hubby turned the other knob. Seriously…I’ve lived in this house (and been taking hot baths in this same tub) over half a decade and still had to guess which handle dispensed the hot water?! (Yes. I guess I choose to use my cranial capacity for more substantial matters). I shook my head at myself in exhaustion, thanked him for valiantly solving my latest crisis, and prepared to settle in for my hard-won hot bath.

It was one of those “womp womp” moments – like when tech support tells you to try rebooting your computer…which instantly fixes the computer issue you’ve been having…and you wish you’d tried that before waiting 30 minutes to get some assistance. My whole family got a good laugh at my expense, but I was too tired to try to defend the foolishness, and I think they had compassion on me.

This true blonde moment couldn’t be covered by my burgundy hair rinse even if I tried. Frazzled by quarantine as we prepped for the start of a new virtual school year (and possibly a zombie apocalypse), I guess I’d gotten my wires crossed, spatial relations whacked out, and looked at something so common and familiar from the wrong perspective. 

Doesn’t this happen to us spiritually more often than we care to admit? Ah, I am evermore thankful for the gift of glorious grace…

“13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
(Revelation 3:13-17)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart