This morning I had a conversation with a Christian friend and she shared a story of someone she knows who has resigned themselves to the fact that when they die they are going to hell, because their past is just too much to get passed. I found myself wondering, sadly, how many other people in this world feel such hopelessness.
I, myself, can relate to that train of thought. It wasn't long ago, when I thought that my past was beyond forgiveness. I was a troubled teen and young adult, who's only mission in life was to erase every hurt and loss from my memory. Drugs, alcohol, and sex became my weapons of choice and were my only companions. My companions and I wreaked havoc on anyone and everyone in our paths. We destroyed relationships; my family; my friends; my integrity and my self-respect. I use the plural, we, because my companions (alcohol, drugs, and sex) and I had become one and the same. The fearsome foursome.
To outline every sorted and horrible thing I had done in my past is a novel all unto itself, but suffice it to say, for the better part of ten years, my transgressions mounted one a top another. Finally, trading my long standing relationship with my "companions" for the love of a good man, I learned to love again and to become a kinder, gentler, person. Despite the love of my now husband and the unwavering love of my family, I still felt unworthy of forgiveness. With all that I had done, who was I to expect forgiveness from my family, my friends, and most importantly from God. I thought there was no way there was enough forgiveness to erase my dastardly deeds. There was not enough good that I could do to undo all the bad I had done. I could not have been more wrong.
I always knew God, but never really "knew" God. I had grown up fearing Him as this vengeful, unapproachable being, who was keeping a tally of every sin I committed. To obtain, "forgiveness" for my sins, I had to do a penance, over and over again and given my history, I knew it would be impossible. Then one day, I was introduced to God, not this vengeful, unapproachable God, but a God who loved me so much that He gave His Son to die for me and my sins. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
I soon learned that forgiveness could not be earned; that no amount of "penance" or good works would earn me forgiveness or eternal life. See, the hard work had already been done. Jesus had already done the work when He bore the sins of the world, my sin, suffered and died on that cross. It was a gift, ready and waiting for me to receive, all I had to do was accept it. I didn't have to work for it; I didn't have to pay for it; all I had to do was admit, what I already knew...that I am a sinner, then open my heart to accept the gift of God's forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9
God doesn't keep a tally of our sins; the chalkboard is erased. Because of God's grace, He doesn't treat us as we deserve, as I felt I deserved. "God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:10-12
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
With this I can put my past behind me. Today, I can say with certainty, that I am NOT perfect, just FORGIVEN and one day when I stand before the throne of God to be judged for my sin, my perfect attorney, Jesus Christ, will stand at my side and proclaim that I am innocent because He already paid the price. He can be your attorney also, and the price of services....your heart.
Until next time,
God bless,
Cat
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
One Bite at a Time
As I sat on the deck one evening, I watched a small sparrow dart in and out of a bird house. Each time it returned, it carried in its tiny beak a trinket of some kind; a twig; a piece of fluff; or a ragged, worn piece of fabric. I could only imagine the construction process going on behind that little hole. On one return trip, this tiny sparrow carried a twig that in length was bigger than its own body. I giggled outloud as it landed on the perch outside of the hole and tried to enter with the twig.
This sparrow pushed and pushed, trying to force this twig through the tiny opening, much like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Many times during the sparrow's attempt to force the twig through, it fell from the grasp of its tiny beak and landed on the ground beneath the birdhouse. The sparrow was not deterred! It would pick up the twig and fly right back to the perch and push some more. This scenerio repeated itself over and over again and I found myself wanting to pick up the twig and put it in the hole myself and even thought, why don't he just quit trying? But I continued to watch as tiny beads of sweat formed on its tiny little feathered forehead. (okay not really but...) Finally, one last push and the twig bent and the sparrow and the twig were in the hole! I imagined this tiny little bird, exhausted from its labor, collasping on the pile of debris inside the birdhouse and I wondered if it felt some sort of pride in its accomplishment and determination.
Many of us face trials in our lives that at times have us feeling like we are that sparrow. We push and push; we start over and over again, wondering if our efforts are ever going to succeed. This my friend is called perserverance. Perserverance is the patient endurance of harship; persiting in a state or enterprise inspite of difficulties and discouragement.
Romans 5:3 tells us this about perserverance: "...we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope.
James 1:2-4 says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face tials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith is develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish it work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The point of perserverance is not to pretend to be happy when things are tough, but to have a positive outlook on our circumstances. We can never fully see the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. Instead of complaining about our struggles or simply giving up, we should use these trials as an opportunity to grow.
There is a saying, "There is only one way to eat an elephant...one bite at a time." Whether our elephant to eat is the many things we have to accomplish, a physical condition we have to live with, a broken relationship or a nest to build, if we do it one bite at a time, we can finish it. We would love to wish our worries away, but unfortunately, the world doesn't stop when we get tired and problems don't just go away. Instead, we need to dig in with whatever tools we have; faith, hope, and prayer, setting our eyes on the prize.
The ant would never have moved that rubber tree plant, without high hopes; the sparrow would have never finished its nest without sheer determination, and we can't eat that elephant unless we take one bite at a time. Through it all remember, we have the solid Rock of God to lean on! I'll leave you with this: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Until next time, taking one bite at a time,
God Bless,
Cat
This sparrow pushed and pushed, trying to force this twig through the tiny opening, much like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Many times during the sparrow's attempt to force the twig through, it fell from the grasp of its tiny beak and landed on the ground beneath the birdhouse. The sparrow was not deterred! It would pick up the twig and fly right back to the perch and push some more. This scenerio repeated itself over and over again and I found myself wanting to pick up the twig and put it in the hole myself and even thought, why don't he just quit trying? But I continued to watch as tiny beads of sweat formed on its tiny little feathered forehead. (okay not really but...) Finally, one last push and the twig bent and the sparrow and the twig were in the hole! I imagined this tiny little bird, exhausted from its labor, collasping on the pile of debris inside the birdhouse and I wondered if it felt some sort of pride in its accomplishment and determination.
Many of us face trials in our lives that at times have us feeling like we are that sparrow. We push and push; we start over and over again, wondering if our efforts are ever going to succeed. This my friend is called perserverance. Perserverance is the patient endurance of harship; persiting in a state or enterprise inspite of difficulties and discouragement.
Romans 5:3 tells us this about perserverance: "...we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope.
James 1:2-4 says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face tials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith is develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish it work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The point of perserverance is not to pretend to be happy when things are tough, but to have a positive outlook on our circumstances. We can never fully see the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. Instead of complaining about our struggles or simply giving up, we should use these trials as an opportunity to grow.
There is a saying, "There is only one way to eat an elephant...one bite at a time." Whether our elephant to eat is the many things we have to accomplish, a physical condition we have to live with, a broken relationship or a nest to build, if we do it one bite at a time, we can finish it. We would love to wish our worries away, but unfortunately, the world doesn't stop when we get tired and problems don't just go away. Instead, we need to dig in with whatever tools we have; faith, hope, and prayer, setting our eyes on the prize.
The ant would never have moved that rubber tree plant, without high hopes; the sparrow would have never finished its nest without sheer determination, and we can't eat that elephant unless we take one bite at a time. Through it all remember, we have the solid Rock of God to lean on! I'll leave you with this: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Until next time, taking one bite at a time,
God Bless,
Cat
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Calgon Take Me Away
Ever find yourself wishing that the old Calgon commercials were true, and a bath with Calgon would whisk you away to a place of peace. Calgon take me away! Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were that simple! But the truth is we don't live in a Calgon commercial and while soaking in a tub might for a few minutes help us forget the worries of the world, once our feet hit the bath mat reality is back.
It seems that everyone these days are facing struggles of all kinds. Whether it is illness, death, finances, family discord, loneliness, or something as simple as an unexpected flat tire, the stresses we all face can leave us feeling frenzied and sometimes hopeless. Personally, I have found myself hanging on by my fingertips more than once lately. It would be nice to have a quick fix to life's stresses, like Calgon, but we know that isn't the case. Calgon, won't pay the bills; it won't release someone from the grips of addiction; it can't bring back a lost loved one and it can't fix a flat tire. But there is something that make facing these stresses a little easier. Encouragement.
So many times, as I hung on by my fingertips, pleading for someone to throw me a life line, some form of encouragement gave me the strength to hang on when I was losing my grip. A phone call from a friend telling me they are thinking of me or praying for me; an unexpected note in the mail reminding me that I am strong and can get through this and even a smile from a stranger are all forms of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 tells us "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." You don't know how true that is until you are lost in the midst of your anxiety and that kind word shows up.
While encouragement will not take away the stresses we face, it does give us the willingness to hang in there when we think we can't hang on any longer. Kind words are free and smiling at someone is painless, but the results are rich. Imagine for a moment that the random person you pass in the grocery store is having the worst day of their life. They have just left their home where the phone is ringing off the hook with bill collectors; their hot water heater went up and they still have to buy food to feed their family and they've just about reached the end of their rope. You can't see this because they aren't wearing a sign around their neck, but you still make eye contact and smile at them. Suddenly, for a moment, their day is brighter and a smile is brought back to their face, if even for a moment.
We don't always know what is going on in peoples lives, whether friends or strangers, but regardless encouragement can do wonders for the spirit. If today, someone you know comes to mind, let them know that you are thinking of them- send a text, an email or make a phone call. If today you pass a stranger, don't look away, smile at them and offer a good morning or afternoon. It doesn't sound like much but it can go a long way to brightening someones day. A smile $0; a kind word $0; the gift of encouragement priceless.
Share it today!
Until next time, hang in there you can do it!
God Bless,
Cat
It seems that everyone these days are facing struggles of all kinds. Whether it is illness, death, finances, family discord, loneliness, or something as simple as an unexpected flat tire, the stresses we all face can leave us feeling frenzied and sometimes hopeless. Personally, I have found myself hanging on by my fingertips more than once lately. It would be nice to have a quick fix to life's stresses, like Calgon, but we know that isn't the case. Calgon, won't pay the bills; it won't release someone from the grips of addiction; it can't bring back a lost loved one and it can't fix a flat tire. But there is something that make facing these stresses a little easier. Encouragement.
So many times, as I hung on by my fingertips, pleading for someone to throw me a life line, some form of encouragement gave me the strength to hang on when I was losing my grip. A phone call from a friend telling me they are thinking of me or praying for me; an unexpected note in the mail reminding me that I am strong and can get through this and even a smile from a stranger are all forms of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 tells us "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." You don't know how true that is until you are lost in the midst of your anxiety and that kind word shows up.
While encouragement will not take away the stresses we face, it does give us the willingness to hang in there when we think we can't hang on any longer. Kind words are free and smiling at someone is painless, but the results are rich. Imagine for a moment that the random person you pass in the grocery store is having the worst day of their life. They have just left their home where the phone is ringing off the hook with bill collectors; their hot water heater went up and they still have to buy food to feed their family and they've just about reached the end of their rope. You can't see this because they aren't wearing a sign around their neck, but you still make eye contact and smile at them. Suddenly, for a moment, their day is brighter and a smile is brought back to their face, if even for a moment.
We don't always know what is going on in peoples lives, whether friends or strangers, but regardless encouragement can do wonders for the spirit. If today, someone you know comes to mind, let them know that you are thinking of them- send a text, an email or make a phone call. If today you pass a stranger, don't look away, smile at them and offer a good morning or afternoon. It doesn't sound like much but it can go a long way to brightening someones day. A smile $0; a kind word $0; the gift of encouragement priceless.
Share it today!
Until next time, hang in there you can do it!
God Bless,
Cat
Monday, August 8, 2011
Cat's Chat: Warts and All
Cat's Chat: Warts and All: "I was thinking last night about perception. Weird huh? But given some of the thoughts I've had lately I'll take this. Actually I have Mike T..."
Warts and All
I was thinking last night about perception. Weird huh? But given some of the thoughts I've had lately I'll take this. Actually I have Mike Tyson to thank for these thoughts. I was watching the new television program "Same Name" where a celebrity and an average person with the same name switch places for a couple of days and live the life of the other. My initial thought was, "Good grief! Of all people Mike Tyson! This can't be good for this average Joe!" We've all heard the story of how he bit off Evander Holyfield's ear! But as I watched I developed a whole new perception of Mike Tyson the boxer. I am trying not to be skeptical but for the show at least, the Mike Tyson I saw was humbler, kinder, gentler, God-fearing and loving. He took on the life of a man who shared the same name as he but was not a fierce fighting machine; no he was a nurse who worked in a free clinic serving people who couldn't afford insurance and so Big Mike Tyson took on that role and did so with compassion and sensitivity. He treated each person he met with dignity and seemed genuinely interested in them.
When asked about his past behavior and how he found serenity, Mike explained that he had built this persona of a mean, tough, out of his mind crazy person to protect himself from ever being hurt or bullied. And after building that facade, he began to truly live it and let it become who he was with disastrous outcomes. It took the tragic death of his four year old daughter to bring him back to reality, along with a lot of counseling. That story told, I started thinking about myself and others, wondering what kind of persona we have built to elicit a certain perspective from others.
Personally, for many years, I built the persona of this angry, strong-willed, rebellious, I can handle anything woman. Much like Mike, I did this to protect myself from being hurt. It didn't work and in fact it only caused more pain and lonliness. By building these "walls" of protection, it only proved to alienate people from me and cause me to substitute human relations with more destructive behavior. It was many years of loniless before the heart of one man ignored his initial perception me and chose to help break those walls down forcing me to look at myself in the mirror.
It's never easy to be so vulnerable, almost naked, before yourself or anyone else, but when you are finally honest and open about who you are and what you are about, somehow the burden is so much lighter. Not only have I learned, thanks to that man, my husband, that the real me is way more lovable than the fake persona I created, but I've learned that being the real me is not a sign of weakness or vulnerability but is a sign of confidence and maturity.
It is only when you are the "real" you that you can experience genuine love and friendship. If you are hiding the real you behind a facade of any kind, be it that the all is rosy in your world when the reality is that its all thistles and weeds or that you can handle anything and in reality you are an emotional wreck, you cannot experience genuine love. Genuine love comes when someone is given the opportunity to know you, warts and all and chooses to love you anyway. Wouldn't you rather be loved for who you are rather than who people think you are?
Perception is everything really and is something that can follow you forever. Just as Mike Tyson will forever be known as the man who bit Evander Holyfield's ear, despite his efforts to change, I feel that there are still people who perceive me as the hard, angry, in control person of yester-year because that was their first perception of me. I can personally say, that I enjoy the genuine love I receive today, because those in my life know the real me, warts and all!
I don't know where my life would be today if my husband hadn't chosen to ignore his first impression and instead help me become real, but what I am sure of is that being real is so much more rewarding then faking it. Whatever mask you are wearing, take it off! Because the real you is worth loving a whole lot more that the fake one, warts and all!
What do you want people's preception of you to be?
Until next time, my mask is off!
God Bless,
Cat
When asked about his past behavior and how he found serenity, Mike explained that he had built this persona of a mean, tough, out of his mind crazy person to protect himself from ever being hurt or bullied. And after building that facade, he began to truly live it and let it become who he was with disastrous outcomes. It took the tragic death of his four year old daughter to bring him back to reality, along with a lot of counseling. That story told, I started thinking about myself and others, wondering what kind of persona we have built to elicit a certain perspective from others.
Personally, for many years, I built the persona of this angry, strong-willed, rebellious, I can handle anything woman. Much like Mike, I did this to protect myself from being hurt. It didn't work and in fact it only caused more pain and lonliness. By building these "walls" of protection, it only proved to alienate people from me and cause me to substitute human relations with more destructive behavior. It was many years of loniless before the heart of one man ignored his initial perception me and chose to help break those walls down forcing me to look at myself in the mirror.
It's never easy to be so vulnerable, almost naked, before yourself or anyone else, but when you are finally honest and open about who you are and what you are about, somehow the burden is so much lighter. Not only have I learned, thanks to that man, my husband, that the real me is way more lovable than the fake persona I created, but I've learned that being the real me is not a sign of weakness or vulnerability but is a sign of confidence and maturity.
It is only when you are the "real" you that you can experience genuine love and friendship. If you are hiding the real you behind a facade of any kind, be it that the all is rosy in your world when the reality is that its all thistles and weeds or that you can handle anything and in reality you are an emotional wreck, you cannot experience genuine love. Genuine love comes when someone is given the opportunity to know you, warts and all and chooses to love you anyway. Wouldn't you rather be loved for who you are rather than who people think you are?
Perception is everything really and is something that can follow you forever. Just as Mike Tyson will forever be known as the man who bit Evander Holyfield's ear, despite his efforts to change, I feel that there are still people who perceive me as the hard, angry, in control person of yester-year because that was their first perception of me. I can personally say, that I enjoy the genuine love I receive today, because those in my life know the real me, warts and all!
I don't know where my life would be today if my husband hadn't chosen to ignore his first impression and instead help me become real, but what I am sure of is that being real is so much more rewarding then faking it. Whatever mask you are wearing, take it off! Because the real you is worth loving a whole lot more that the fake one, warts and all!
What do you want people's preception of you to be?
Until next time, my mask is off!
God Bless,
Cat
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Expect the Unexpected
How many times have you heard the words, "Expect the unexpected"? Sometimes, the unexpected can be exciting but at other times the unexpected can be frightening. Receiving a surprise gift or party; a card of encouragement or love from a friend are just some examples of the exciting unexpected things, but if you are like me, then you are a planner. I like to know every detail, when it will happen; how it will happen and what the results will be. If everything goes as planned, then I am elated, if I am thrown an unexpected curve ball it can send me into a frenzy. These unexpected things can cause me major anxiety and worry. I want everything to run like a well oiled machine. Wouldn't it be nice if life were like that? Ahhhhhh...everything, at all times, running smoothly without the need to adapt, overcome or improvise.
I've experienced the unexpected in just about every aspect of my life at one point or another. It has been everything from not getting out the door on time to the sudden loss of a loved one or friend. All unexpected but not equal in severity and of course the reactions varying drastically. Or at least one would hope.
I want to focus on just one of the many ways the unexpected can appear. Spiritually. I'm gonna get personal here, so I hope you will indulge me. I began my walk with Jesus, on January 24, 1999. It was then that I was baptized and decided that I wanted to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Sounded easy enough to me, I mean, really how hard could it be? Treat people nicer and they'll be nicer to me; give and it will be given back; pray and prayers will be answered; and share the gospel and surely all will follow. All green pastures and rainbows! That's what I expected, but "expect the unexpected". Jesus wasn't kidding when he said, "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
I thought the transition to a life with Christ would be easy and carefree. I wasn't expecting the unexpected that came with that transformation. See, making a commitment to the Savior, means being willing to be refined. Much like a lump of clay is just a lump of clay unless it is pinched and pulled, molded and fired into something beautiful, so are our lives unless we are willing to be refined according to God's purpose.
The further I progressed in my walk, the harder the pinches and the hotter the furnace got. At first and still at times, I feel like enough is enough. Like I want to say to God, "Good grief, I've been pinched and prodded, pulled and fired so much I ought to be the next great masterpiece! Aren't you finished yet?" But the truth is I am His masterpiece and He will never be finished refining me. In fact, God will continue to mold me into the beautiful creation He intended. The Lord uses every trial, every heartache, every joy, and every disappointment to strengthen whatever area in my walk needs it. Just when, I am comfortable and complacent, God knows that there is work to be done in me and He begins to tweak His masterpiece and here comes the unexpected.
The unexpected, as unexpected as it is, keeps me on my toes. If my life and my walk with Jesus, were the same ole same ole, it would become stale and inferior. That's not the life that God intends for me or anyone. So, while I may not always like the unexpected when it happens, if I trust that this is God refining me, the end result is worth the frenzy it causes me.
"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
"The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:8-9
So while the unexpected might be unexpected for us, God knew it was coming and has it all worked out. Thank goodness!!
Until next time, I expecting the unexpected and embracing it!
God bless,
Cat
I've experienced the unexpected in just about every aspect of my life at one point or another. It has been everything from not getting out the door on time to the sudden loss of a loved one or friend. All unexpected but not equal in severity and of course the reactions varying drastically. Or at least one would hope.
I want to focus on just one of the many ways the unexpected can appear. Spiritually. I'm gonna get personal here, so I hope you will indulge me. I began my walk with Jesus, on January 24, 1999. It was then that I was baptized and decided that I wanted to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Sounded easy enough to me, I mean, really how hard could it be? Treat people nicer and they'll be nicer to me; give and it will be given back; pray and prayers will be answered; and share the gospel and surely all will follow. All green pastures and rainbows! That's what I expected, but "expect the unexpected". Jesus wasn't kidding when he said, "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:38
I thought the transition to a life with Christ would be easy and carefree. I wasn't expecting the unexpected that came with that transformation. See, making a commitment to the Savior, means being willing to be refined. Much like a lump of clay is just a lump of clay unless it is pinched and pulled, molded and fired into something beautiful, so are our lives unless we are willing to be refined according to God's purpose.
The further I progressed in my walk, the harder the pinches and the hotter the furnace got. At first and still at times, I feel like enough is enough. Like I want to say to God, "Good grief, I've been pinched and prodded, pulled and fired so much I ought to be the next great masterpiece! Aren't you finished yet?" But the truth is I am His masterpiece and He will never be finished refining me. In fact, God will continue to mold me into the beautiful creation He intended. The Lord uses every trial, every heartache, every joy, and every disappointment to strengthen whatever area in my walk needs it. Just when, I am comfortable and complacent, God knows that there is work to be done in me and He begins to tweak His masterpiece and here comes the unexpected.
The unexpected, as unexpected as it is, keeps me on my toes. If my life and my walk with Jesus, were the same ole same ole, it would become stale and inferior. That's not the life that God intends for me or anyone. So, while I may not always like the unexpected when it happens, if I trust that this is God refining me, the end result is worth the frenzy it causes me.
"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
"The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:8-9
So while the unexpected might be unexpected for us, God knew it was coming and has it all worked out. Thank goodness!!
Until next time, I expecting the unexpected and embracing it!
God bless,
Cat
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