wellness

Sistahmergency 9-1-1

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Sistahmergency 911 Sun. 10-3

It’s not always the same person for every situation, but we ALL need a network of dependable spiritual sistahfriends that we can call on from time to time. Who can get a prayer through? Who will tell you the truth in love even if it may hurt your feelings? Who sees through your diversionary tactics and won’t give up until you get a breakthrough? #KnowYourSupportSystem

“2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

(Galatians 6:2-3)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Do It While You CAN!

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Do what you can Thurs., 9-30

I miss my walks as I recover from last week’s ingrown toenail removal. I used to grumble about walking for exercise. Then my mindset changed, and I began to enjoy it as “me time” while fellowshipping with God and taking in His magnificent creation. Check out today’s podcast as I share my shift from “Ugh, I’ve gotta…” to “Wow, I get the opportunity to…” 

Drop me a comment if it speaks to you! Blessings, Kayren 

Podcast episode: https://anchor.fm/kayren-cathcart/episodes/Do-It-While-You-CAN-e17sg26 

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

My Big Pink Toe

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Y’all know about me and math <side eye>…but I have a new equation:

Insult + Injury = Grace & Mercy

Check out my latest podcast episode to learn how slight calamity brought me to the mathematical conclusion that insult added to injury can lead us to obtaining God’s grace and mercy. Enjoy a few laughs at my expense and drop me a comment! Blessings, Kayren

Podcast Episode: https://anchor.fm/kayren-cathcart/episodes/My-Big-Pink-Toe-e17sf60

“14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:14-16)

“3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

(Isaiah 53:3-5)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Butterfly2B

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Transformation is NOW! Today’s podcast celebrates butterflies emerging from caterpillar phase – rejoice!

Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: Butterfly2B https://anchor.fm/kayren-cathcart/episodes/Butterfly2B-e15tmuk

Do YOU see the butterfly beneath the caterpillar surface?

Spring Cleaning of the Soul: Release the Garbage

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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

Vitamins + Cookies

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Kayren-Tine Comic Strip 02.18.2021

This one needs no introduction…just share in the comments if you’ve ever reasoned using a pattern like this before! LOL 

It’s like starting the day off riding the indoor bike because it’s too rainy to walk outside, and then advancing to a healthy breakfast…only to end up with ice cream at bedtime (for example…so I’ve been told…by someone else – ha ha!). Almost cancels out the positive effect of the exercise, eh?

Sometimes we try to justify our nonsense when we truly know better. How many times do we get caught up in foolishness, only to find ourselves at the feet of a loving Savior who is ready to forgive us once again? Oh, what grace, love, and mercy! 

May we extend the same to others…(and ourselves, too)…

“10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
(John 8:10-11)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Home Cookin’ in Quarantine

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Kayren-Tine Comic Strip 02.11.2021

When I wrote about An Ounce of Prevention 10 months ago, I didn’t imagine that the act of baking could be so hazardous to my hips! LOL 

Nevertheless, as quarantine continues (and many more homemade lemon-glazed sour cream pound cakes later than I care to admit), I find myself challenged to increase my physical activity and decrease my caloric intake…how about you? Apparently, creating domestic culinary adventures (1. Without leaving my home, PLUS 2. Keeping a minimum of 2 sticks of butter on hand – in the vegetable drawer, no less…for SHAME! <gasp!>) can become a cumulative experience. Who knew?! Oh, I knew… 

I’m thankful to have a couple of neighbors who literally keep me “on my toes” – texting me regularly to make sure I lace up my tennis shoes a few times a week and hit the pavement for some cardio. Accountability counts…stay encouraged and stay connected, my friends – we have MUCH to be grateful for! Love is all around – and not just in the Valentine’s season…call someone today and make their day. You just might save them from that extra bite of pound cake they were wrestling with…or they may offer to share with you!

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
(Proverbs 17:17)

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
(Proverbs 18:24)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Late in the Midnight Hour…

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PP Late in the Midnight Hour

…God’s gonna turn it around…if ya know the song, then sing along!

Even after putting 2 potential slots for an outdoors walk on my calendar, it still didn’t happen amidst 5 back-to-back conference calls – ugh, talk about a sedentary day! As I wearily powered down my laptop at 11:30pm, I repented in my heart for not getting my physical exercise in for the day and silently made an “air promise” to get it in tomorrow. As I approached the shower, I realized, “I have absolutely NO excuse not to do SOMETHING for my physical well-being today!” 

So I marched to the closet, threw on some workout clothes, laced up my tennis shoes, refilled my water bottle, and headed over to vigorously attack the stationary bike that my wonderfully visionary hubby procured months ago to facilitate perpetual pandemic home workouts. Not sure why I thought I might wake my children, but the cackling I heard from their respective rooms confirmed that they are truly teenagers. Armed with my earbuds and favorite playlist, I purposed to do at least 20 minutes…and I surpassed that goal. Honestly, as someone who’s done MULTIPLE weight loss programs over the years, I admit I’m often hesitant to set goals (let alone share them) – so this is kinda a big deal for me. Celebrate my glamorous midnight sweaty = healthy glow look with me! LOL

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Inspired and invigorated, I thought about posting this “later” – but later usually doesn’t come when competing with (and crowded out by) all the other items on our to-do lists, right? So I’m doing my cool down/stretch as I write. Now I’ve earned my shower (and burned off a couple of cookies that may have found their way across my lips in the past 24 hours…gotta pay to play, right?) ha ha… 

In 2021, I’m deliberately and intentionally choosing OBEDIENCE – one decision at a time.  What’s your testimony in this freshness of this new year, full of unlimited possibilities? What imprisoning bands will be loosed by your prayers, praises, and obedience? I invite you to share in the comments below…

“25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

(Acts 16:25-26)

© Copyright 2021 by Kayren J. Cathcart

My Best Gifts Are NOT Under the Tree This Year

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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

Envelopes of Provision

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Disclosure: This blog post is NOT about getting a physical check in the mail…🙂

This morning, after a couple of days of not feeling my best, I woke up so grateful to be feeling better that I decided to take a walk and watch the sunrise. Ambitious, eh? LOL. I grabbed my water bottle and sunglasses, ready to rack up some steps. About 7 minutes after leaving the house, I felt it: a single raindrop on my forearm. 

I promptly turned around and headed back home, but not before acknowledging the magnificent splendor of the Almighty on display. I marveled at the tropical wind blowing, the clouds quickly overshadowing the sun, and the birds flitting here and there.

I decided to watch the rainstorm roll in from the covert of my porch. I peeped a gecko nibbling on some leaves, realizing I often see them scurrying, but I’d never watched one eat. New experience checked off.

I gaped in amazement as I watched individual raindrops hit the ground and shake blades of grass (or weeds…whatever…it’s still green, and grass sounds more poetic). I usually think of rain in the collective sense…as “a thing” or an entity. This morning, I saw the individual drops coming down and observed each one as a package of provision from the Creator sent to fulfill a specific purpose. One raindrop, followed by another, followed by another in succession over a duration of time yields results: a harvest.

So I thought I’d share my personal object lesson on patience, provision, and the Spiritual Principle of Sow and Reap springing alive before my eyes. In the midst of much turbulence and destruction surrounding us, we have God’s assurance that He cares for us and is attentively watching over us. And that, my friend, is Good News! Stay encouraged…

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
(Psalm 29:2)
“30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
(Matthew 6:30-33 AMP)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart