Category: challenges

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Greener Grass

katietkennedy

One afternoon I was trying to encourage my eight-year-old daughter in the kitchen. She was feeling discontent about her current situation and was lamenting she wasn’t doing something else. I reminded her of the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” To which she replied to me, “Not unless you water it.”

I’m not confident she understood the meaning of what I said, nevertheless, her reply stunned me. Her comment was innocent and unknowing. As I pondered what she said, I realized how much depth there was to the statement.

While my daughter’s response was meant to be literal, it has a greater meaning. When we find ourselves discontent with our life or a situation, instead of coveting what others have or cycling in self-pity, invest in your lot. Your neighbor’s grass may be greener, however, instead of desiring their home, seed and water your grass.

This reminds me of our faith journey. We can easily covet those around us, or wallow in the things we don’t have. Instead, change the things you can. Invest in yourself and the people around you. Make your grass greener.

One way to make your grass greener is to water your soul with the words given to us by our most Holy God. There is a reason He left us the Bible, because we need it! We need its guidance, comfort, and encouragement.

Feed your soul with the only living words available. Psalm 23:1-3 sums up this message nicely.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Water your grass with the only thing that brings contentment, comfort, and peace.

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Proper Perspective

katietkennedy

When I was in high school my family went on a cruise. We entered the boat anxious to find our cabin. After my brother and I had settled into our shared room, he ran up to my dad’s room (we were not on the same level) and started raving about how wonderful our room was.

My father’s face was marked with confusion. My parent’s room was on a higher level with a water view. Our room was on a lower level, an interior room (obviously the cheaper option). My father couldn’t comprehend my brother’s enthusiasm regarding his room, so he followed him down to the lower levels. My dad thought surely there was a mistake. Why had they given us such a great room?

My teenage brother escorted him into the room, promptly shut the door behind him, and turned off the lights. Then he declared, “Total darkness!” With the door shut and the lights off, our room was pitch black. There was no light seeping in through anywhere. For a teenage boy who had a master’s in sleeping, this was a dream come true. He could sleep as late, and as long as he wanted without any light disturbing his slumber.

My dad shook his head and laughed. To him, this room was second-class, inferior to his. To my brother, he wouldn’t trade this obscure haven for anything. Perspective.

This reminds me of our faith journey. When we are in Christ, we have an eternal perspective. God has already won the war. In our sinful world, sometimes we forget this. We want justice now, yet He is reigning over all.

We must remember we are playing the long game, and making choices to please God, not man. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

Our Christian perspective influences everything we do. Our decisions are made because we are looking ahead at eternity with Christ. We are not here to please ourselves, we are here to glorify Him.

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” (Psalm 11:4)

How lucky we are to have our loving Father in heaven looking out for us, protecting us, and guiding us. When we get caught up with the stresses and trials of this world, may we lift up our eyes and remember He is on the throne.

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Breathtaking Beauty

katietkennedy

Many people travel to the beach during the summer. The sun and sand and ocean are extremely restorative. 

When you reflect on your vacation, you usually remember the positive things; your feet in the sand, the laughs you shared with family, the yummy food you consumed, strolling along the shore, or jumping waves with your kids. 

What you don’t focus on, or maybe we block out, is the hours upon hours you spend shopping for food, packing, and loading and unloading the car. You don’t dwell on the twenty trips you made walking up and down the stairs carrying bins of supplies and suitcases. We don’t think about the sweat you poured out while packing the car in 90+ degree heat. We don’t focus on these things because the time by the water overshadows the rest. The days of relaxation are worth the work. 

This reminds me of our faith journey. Being a Christian is hard. It’s not easy, recall the ‘narrow gate.’ We have years of trials and challenges. All the while learning to be a servant of Christ, to mortify our sins and worldly desires daily.

When we are packing up the car and the kids are fighting and we’re hot and exhausted and we haven’t even left, I wonder if it’s even worth it. Is the trouble worth the trip? Once I’m there, see the view, and listen to the sounds of the waves, I remember, yes it is. The destination is worth the journey.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

So, as you endeavor through the days and wonder if all the preparations, work, and effort are worth it; consider arriving at the feet of your Heavenly Father, and the rest and restoration He provides, not just then in that moment but for all moments for the rest of your moments, for eternity.

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Hovering Cows

katietkennedy

One Friday afternoon a business associate invited my husband and I to the country for a social gathering. It was over an hour away and as we neared the location we wondered where we were going. The event was being held on someone’s private property, up on a hilltop.

As we drove up the road, it got steep and bumpy. We winded our way up the gravel drive and met some cows on our path. Momma and baby cows were all around us. We had to coax a few calves off the road so we could pass by. 

This reminds me of our faith journey. We are heading up in our sanctification process (hopefully). As we follow Jesus He will keep us on the right path, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6). There will be challenges and unexpected visitors on the way (cows in this case) but we must keep going, slowly yet still progressing. 

We take one step forward at a time and trust in our Heavenly Father to lead us. This is the challenging part. We don’t know all His plans for us, nor all the why’s, yet we need to keep trusting even when we can’t
see around the bend. We recall in the past at other turns, He has always been there. Yet, you still wonder what if this time He forgets me. Of course, He doesn’t, He meets us yet again for another trial, another challenge.

When we finally made our way up to the top, there were majestic views of the valley below. I was glad we had arrived safely. While it wasn’t an easy trip, it was worth it. The fresh air and the stars were magnificent.

We don’t always understand the paths the Lord takes us on. We keep praying for our will to be His will. We remind ourselves He keeps His promises and will always be with us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) 

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Galled Goats

katietkennedy

My girls and I were visiting Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. We were walking through a small animal farm admiring some goats. Of the three goats, the largest didn’t have horns. The fascinating part is I don’t think he realized he didn’t have horns. He would jump up and butt heads with another acting as if he had them on. All his actions and movements mimicked the other goats, other than he was hornless.

This reminds me of our faith journey. We are going to experience trouble in this world. In fact, the Psalms predict this. “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” (Psalms 90:10)

Our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but rather the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) This goat reminded me of our struggles with Satan. He will continue to attack God’s people, but the good news is God has already won the war. Satan may knock you down, but he can’t take you out unless you let him.

The goat we observed fought as if he had horns. Satan attacks us as if he were god, but he’s not. God tells us to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Equip yourself with God’s infallible word, and protect yourself with prayer. Don’t be surprised when the struggles come, but remember the hope that comes in Jesus Christ.  

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Mortifying the Mint

katietkennedy

One beautiful spring day, I was planting flowers in pots. My eleven-year-old daughter came outside and joined me. We finished planting all the pots and decided to tackle the beds which needed to be weeded. Someone who lived in our house prior must have planted mint and it has taken over. Every year we try to exterminate the mint, but it proceeds to come back.

My daughter and I headed over to the beds and started pulling the mint up. You can pull it out, but underneath there are more roots you must find. Mint sends out runners that spread above and just below the ground. It quickly takes over an area. We discovered groups of it growing up into other flowers. We spent about an hour pulling up piles of mint. My daughter commented on how fun it was. Thankfully the roots come up easy and it’s very rewarding to make a lot of progress quickly.

This reminds me of our faith journey. Mint is like our sin. It will continue to spread and reappear until we mortify it. We must keep digging and digging until we find the roots, pull them up and dispose of them.

Pulling up the mint from our beds was tedious, tiring, and overwhelming at times. However, it was worth the effort. I can now gaze at the flower beds and appreciate how pronounced the flowers are without the mint resting aside them.

Unless we truly mortify our sin, it will continue to reappear and cause havoc inside us, spreading to areas of our lives we didn’t intend it to impact.

Thankfully we have a loving Father who can help us and is there to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

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Arriving Ahead

katietkennedy

One year we were on vacation with my family. My kids were having a blast spending time with their cousin. We were headed out to dinner and were a larger group, so some were going in the rental car, and the rest were riding in a shuttle van. The van showed up and was ready to load passengers. We were hustling around grabbing last-minute items before we left.

The kids (there were four of them) wanted to ride in the shuttle van so they jumped aboard. A few minutes later the van pulled away. We quickly realized there were no adults aboard the van. The kids spanned ages from thirteen to six and were a fairly responsible group (for children), but we never intended on sending them alone. The impressive (or scary) thing is how they convinced the van driver to leave without a parent. Once we realized the kids were on their way without us, we hustled into the car and hurried to meet them.

The kids, sure enough, were waiting for us at the restaurant. They were beaming with pride from their adventure and were surprised when we didn’t match their enthusiasm. We chatted with them about how we were glad they made it safely, but next time they are not to leave without an adult. We expressed our concern for their safety and explained why their decision to drive off without us was not safe.

This reminds me of our faith journey. Sometimes we like to forge ahead, we make our plans and ask God to bless our path. This usually turns out how the adventure with my kids went. We might reach the destination, but if it wasn’t God’s plan for us, something is usually missing. We rush ahead convinced we know what is best, forgetting to ask God to align our will with His will. When things don’t work out as we planned, we are disappointed.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

May we keep in step with the Spirit, for the steps of a man are established by the Lord. (Galatians 5:25 & Psalms 37:23)

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Smothering the Scent

katietkennedy

One evening I headed upstairs to put my kids to bed. As I walked into my youngest daughter’s room (who is seven), I was blasted with a pungent smell. She immediately started saying sorry and explained the reason for the odor.

She had opened a container of nail polish. She didn’t actually put any on, but the act of opening the jar had smelled up her room. In our house nail polish needs to be done in the bathroom, and usually with mom’s permission.

When she realized the intense odor, she came up with plan B. Plan B involved taking hand sanitizer, rubbing it all over her hands, and waving them around the room. When this only increased the aroma in her room, she went to plan C, call in re-enforcements (big sister).

When I entered the room, older sister is by an open window (in the middle of winter) and I had a hard time distinguishing what scent I smelled. The two of them were scurrying around the room trying to make the odor disappear. I was especially light-hearted about this incident after I realized no harm was done, no property was destroyed, and no one was injured.

This reminds me of our faith journey. We sometimes try so hard to cover up our sin to God. We act as if we can hide things from Him. Instead of humbly coming to God and confessing our sins, we cover over them, or at least try to, just like my daughter did (usually making the situation worse).

Jesus died so we don’t have to carry around sin and burden we were not meant to carry. Don’t hide your sin from God, take it to Him, and let Him wash you clean. Remember the sacrifice He made for us and live in the freedom He desires for you. “For freedom Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)

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Deliberate Dolls

katietkennedy

What a children’s book and our faith have in common

One evening I was reading to my six-year-old before bedtime. We were reading The Doll People by Ann M Martin & Laura Godwin. This children’s book tells a story of a doll Annabel and her family. They live in a dollhouse but can walk and talk. They only move about when their human owners are asleep or not home.

In the first book of the series, Martin & Godwin informs us how the dolls are created and made “real.” The dolls decide if they want to be a regular doll (giving up human abilities) or a doll person (can walk and talk). If they choose a doll person, they must take an oath.

Annabel is informed right before taking her oath that being a doll person is harder, it comes with great responsibility. It also comes with fun and adventure.

This reminds me of our faith journey. The Christian life is not easy. Although we don’t take an actual oath, we do commit our lives to Christ. We promise to live for Him instead of ourselves. This is no easy task.

In the book, if humans catch the dolls moving, they are thrust into doll state where they can’t move or talk for 24 hours. There are also rumors of a permanent doll state for serious offenses.

As Christians, when we mess up, thankfully we aren’t thrust into a paralyzed state like Annabel. Instead, we repent of our sins to our loving Father in Heaven. He doesn’t reprehend us, but rather washes our sins away. He doesn’t chastise us and shake His finger in our face. He accepts our burdens and mess. He cleans us off, and helps us get back up again. What an incredible Father we have!

Just as Annabel forgets, or chooses to ignore her oath on occasion, we sometimes forget who we are living for. Or we choose to go our own way knowing it’s not God’s plan.

Being a Christian comes with responsibility and risk. It also comes with a great reward.

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Rest for the Weary

katietkennedy

Last year I had a medical procedure done to treat the varicose veins in my legs. Genetics and three pregnancies had taken their toll.

I was on day two of my four-day treatment. The physician assistant Katherine told me to lay back on the bed, I agreeably listened, delighted to lay still for the next hour.

She chuckled as she noticed my enthusiasm at the idea of laying down. Katherine told me they have noticed how moms come into the office and are so elated to lay down and put their feet up. The fact they are getting poked and prodded with a needle is inconsequential.

I was paying for someone to poke my legs with needles and strip out the dead veins (gross, I know). Yet I was thankful to have a reason to rest. You would think I was at the spa.

This speaks to our weary state. We tend to go, go, go not paying attention to our internal barometers. Some of us are physically tired, others are emotionally drained, the rest might be spiritually empty. Or if we are really lucky, we feel fatigued in all those areas.

If you are like me, you put undue pressure on yourself. You wear yourself out from self-inflicted high expectations.

Jesus says “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28)

Do you feel burdened and tired? Thankfully God is there to receive the heavyweights we were never meant to carry. Turn them over to Him, and He will provide rest and freedom.