Author Archives: K H Richardson

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About K H Richardson

I am a long-time creative sort who by day is a communications strategist and in every free moment writes fiction or blogs!

Are you living IN the moment or FOR the moment?

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Before we get too far from a generation who had no television, cell phone or internet, I’d like to ask for their help.  Many can agree that the pace of life continues to push toward a faster and faster pace.  Why?  What are we rushing for?  Did your parents and grandparents live this way?   Half of those hurrying about their lives have no idea where they are going.  They have no goals or dreams, they are just getting up every morning, turning on whatever stimulus they are addicted(coffee, internet news, CNN…) to and go –before we all implode, lets take a minute and a deep breath (in through your nose, out through your mouth).  If you feel lightheaded it’s because you lungs are in shock from all of the air going in.  Try it one more time.  How does that feel?

Maybe I’m just growing up a little and realizing that there are so many things to notice and people who cross our path that we ignore because we live in a hurried stressful time.  It’s sad to see so many people living in fear that they will fail to get something done.  If our priorities are set, and our soul has peace everything else will fall into place.

Every day before my feet hit the floor I whisper a little prayer that invites God into my thoughts and activities for the day.  “Let all that I say and do be God-honoring.”  Most days that prayer sets the tone for the day and all the things on my list fall within that prayer; being a God-honoring wife, mother and employee.

 In our teenage years and even early 20’s, we believed that we were invincible.  So we made dumb decisions and did reckless things.  We were living for the moment and all the adventure of being a young adult out on our own for the first time.

Today, be encouraged to live IN the moment not FOR the moment.  As we consider the pace of life we choose for ourselves (not that is thrust on us by others or society), consider this moment or any given moment you find yourself in today and take in all that it has to offer.  Some moments will be VERY mundane – buying gas, or grocery shopping.  But other moments will be extraordinary.  Take in a quiet moment in yard, watching the leaves dance on the trees; or a moment watching your child practice batting over and over and over, until he hits the ball.  The look on his face is something to capture in your mind’s eye.  What about a quiet moment with a friend or your spouse?  Jay and I have what we call “stop time moments” where we might just be talking or staring into each other’s eyes – both hoping that time could stop for just a few minutes.

Taking in this moment, now, what are you thinking of?  Do you find yourself missing someone?  If you have read this far in this post, you probably are not thinking about a TV show you are missing.  In fact, if your TV is on, I hope it feels very loud and intrusive.

There is nothing wrong with TV or watching the news or keeping up with Facebook.  What are they keeping you from?  Are they part of the outside world that keeps pushing you to move faster?

Let me encourage you over these last 6 or 7 weeks of 2010 to slow down and enjoy the moments.  Take in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Laugh at the silly uptight family member that is the “Martha” in your world.  You know the type, perfect everything and rushing around to have dinner ready by 5:00 that she barely greets you when you walk in.

Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

KK

…“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”…  Luke 10:38 – 42

Did you see it?

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Every morning I take Cole to school.  Along the way we talk or just listen to the radio.  Sometimes he reads and I just enjoy being with him.  After dropping him at school, I get on I64-east and head to work.  (hang with me if you are not from here).  As I cross over the Watterson Expressway, I always find myself amazed.  You see, as you approach this intersection and cross over, you pop over a rise where there is an amazing site.  It’s not the gridlocked traffic ahead of me.  It’s the sky and the ever-changing sun rise that is before me.

Every morning the sky looks a little different based on the time or the weather, but it never ceases to amaze me.  This morning the sun was on the horizon and about to push above some trees and the sky had a spray of clouds with blues and reds washed around them.  I have driven this way hundreds of mornings and every time, God has brushed a new masterpiece.  Those are moments I wish I could capture and look at all day.

Did you see it?  What, you ask.  Have you seen a picture God has painted for you?  Your picture may be the joy that comes from hearing your children laugh, or your spouse reaching for your hand in church.  Your picture may have come from a kind word someone gave you or an encouraging gesture.  Maybe, like me, you are drawn to the Creator when you notice His creation.

Be encouraged today to watch for God’s handy work.  It’s all around us and allows for us to seek Him and know Him.  When you look out and part of the sky is sunny and it’s raining where you are standing, do you look for the rainbow?  It may sound juvenile, but taking three minutes out of your day to step to the window for the potential blessing of a rainbow – what’s wrong with that?  If nothing else, you’ve taken three minutes to think outside yourself.  More than likely in seeking the rainbow, you’ve also thought of the Creator and the miracle of the rainbow.  And if you find the rainbow, you are blessed all the more.

Did you see it?  Or were you in too big a hurry to notice something special or out of the ordinary.    Pay attention!  Please, pay attention and seek what God would have you see, and how He is revealing His miracles to you.

Let me know…

KK

Something’s in the wind

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This morning it was warm, unseasonably warm and the wind was blowing.  It came in gusts of nearly 65 miles an hour.  And the temperature began to drop.   The wind was so strong you could almost see the air itself moving.  The skies were gray and cloudy, a storm was brewing.  The wind was transporting something – something was in this wind; more than just the storm to follow.

The winds of change blew through our community today.  It was if the hand of God was moving through; pushing summer to our past and escorting autumn in.  The clouds rolled in as if to curtain the sky while He realigned the stars for our new season.  The rain moved in dousing the thirsty earth and cleansing the air.

The day ended with the red sky busting through the clouds leading the way for a rainbow to complete God’s message to us today.  Yes, His mighty hand moved today in nature and it was awesome to experience.  But my question to you is did He move in your heart?

Something was in the wind today, and it was more than the beginning of autumn.  Did you feel it?

All the best,
KK

Monday Mania: How tight is your God’s leash?

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Do you keep God on a leash?  A leash gives your pet just so much room and no more.  Are you treating God like a pet; a companion for the moments you deem he is needed or wanted?

Recently, I have been guilty of keeping God on a leash.  It wasn’t a short leash; but a leash all the same.  Every morning, I spoke to God, inviting Him to come with me.   Come with me, not lead me, not take control, and just come with me.  The leash I put God on was one of inviting Him to take so much lead with me and no more.  God doesn’t belong on any leash.  He is the God of the Universe, creator, healer, and savor and when we believe as such and call upon His name He is available for far more than just coming along with us.  His power is available to us for the asking.

God is too big and too complex to only go so far with us and no further.  Cut Him loose and be ready for blessings beyond what you can imagine.  He is available for far more than riding “shotgun” with us throughout our day.  Call on Him to be your leader, to give you the right words in challenging moments or to give you the self control to not say anything.  He is all powerful and we’re talking to Him about little things.  While those are important to, why not ask for the big things; the healing, the blessing, the forgiveness.  He cares about both.  Nothing is impossible for God.

Let me encourage you to give Him a try.  Call on God’s name and all the power that goes with it to hear your prayers.  Then be still and listen. His answer may come as the roar of thunder or in the whisper of a gentle breeze.    We need to be ready to experience the amazing hand of the creator as He reaches around and pulls us closer to Him. 

What do you think?

All the best,
KK

Monday Moment — starting the week

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This morning I was blessed to start my week with a day off.  It’s a great way to start a work week!  The day started with a quiet time – Bible open, reading and prayer.  Oh, how I wish I were disciplined enough to get up and start every day that way.  It set my spirit for the entire day.  I didn’t have a lot planned, a meeting at Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and some errands.  There was something in my spirit that moved with me and when the unexpected came up, it was handled.  Not sure, but I may have gotten more done today because of the way it started.

Sometimes we shoot out of the gate to start our week and by Tuesday afternoon we crash and burn.  Our list is long and we are sure it will all be accomplished by Monday at 5 p.m.  It doesn’t and we end up transferring what’s left to Tuesday.  Why not pace ourselves?  Why not savor the day and all it has to offer even if it means serving someone else – helping their list along.  It never fails that when I’ve put my list aside to help someone else along, the blessing is mine.

Think about it, if we put people over progress, will we be living more like Jesus?  Blessed are the motivated, for they will have time for everything.  Ok, so that’s not how it reads but if our motivation comes from outside ourselves, how much more will we look like Jesus?

Let me encourage you to be available for others as you go through your day.  At the end of the day, you will have accomplished more than you had listed.  Let me know how that works for you.

All the best,

KK

PS – the passage I read to start the day, Matthew 5: 1 – 12.

When we sit at the feet of Jesus…

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Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

-Matthew 11:28-29

Our lives can be way too busy.  We struggle to find time for the things we find most important, church, family, friends.  We are tired and over-committed most weeks.  How do we regain control of our priorities and time (one leads to the other, you know).  They say if you look at a man’s checkbook you will tell what he values, well let me add the man’s calendar.  What we spend our time doing speaks volumes as to who we are and what we value.

It’s not uncommon for Christians to attend a spiritual retreat every now and then.  You get away from it all, take off your watch and turn off your cell phone.  Then after the sweat clears from having shut yourself off from the world, you find Jesus.

What a refreshing visit it can be – to be in spirit of prayer and communion with the Savior.  The spirit reaches in and chips away at your soul, releasing all that inhibits connection with the Lord.  You then can drink in the love and teaching of Jesus.  Take a deep breath – what does this look like to you?

Luke 10:38 tells of when Jesus and His disciples were visiting Martha’s house.  You have to remember this was 13 men traveling through town and stopped in Martha’s humble home and they were hungry.  Martha busied herself preparing a meal for them.  Mary sat at Jesus’ feet; His feet that were tired and dirty.  Did they smell?  That’s beside the point; knowing how sisters communicate, I imagine she knew what Martha was thinking.  She knew her sister was a little miffed that unexpected guests were there, however wonderful it was, and she was doing all the work.

In my mind’s eye, I picture Mary hanging on every word of Jesus.  His spirit-filled message was refreshing and gave rest for her soul.

Let me encourage you to take a seat at the feet of Jesus.  Look up at the gentle eyes and search for what He has to say to you.  Sssshhhh, be quiet and listen.  He might be your silent partner, know that He is there.  He might be whispering something special in your heart, be still and receive His word.  Let the world go by for just a moment or two and sit at the feet of Jesus.

All the best,
KK

An Invitation to talk manners

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Over the years, I have planned birthday parties, work events and community-wide galas, and it never fails that RSVP’s are late to come in or non-existent.  It’s easy to get busy and fail to RSVP, but in this day of email, text messaging, voicemail, instant messaging and even wall to wall on facebook, there really is little reason to not send a host a yes or no in a timely manner.

From a planning perspective, knowing how many guests are coming helps when ordering food, center pieces or the all important goodie bags.  Party planning is fun and it gets very exciting when guests call and say they are planning to attend.  I am all about the more the merrier.

So, why don’t people commit to attend parties they are invited to?  Are they waiting to see if something better comes along?  Are they waiting to see if other “fun” people are planning to attend?

Even if you RSVP “no” and change your mind or your schedule clears you can call the host back.  A gracious host will be glad to hear you can come. 

 Give me your thoughts.

All the best,
KK

Living the Word

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God is strong.  His hands formed and sketched the nature we ignore half the time.  His reach saved Peter from drowning and his voice calmed the storm.  And yet, as believers, with that strength at our request, we wait and we try to carry it all on our own.  There are hundreds of verses in the Bible we love to hear and they bring comfort or reassurance.  But recently, I’ve been living a verse that while it brings comfort, it is also a challenge for me to grow up spiritually.  Second Corinthians 12:9 “…my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  The context of this verse is when Paul asked the Lord three times to remove the thorn from his flesh.

 We all carry thorns of our sinful nature.  Some reading this post may carry a thorn of an emotional or physical struggle.  In God’s infinite wisdom, he knows better than to just poof heal us.  Let’s face it, we already live in a time of instant gratification (I won’t go there now), but how silly of us to think that we know better than God.

In living out this verse over the past few weeks, I have found myself learning to reach out to other believers and ask for help or prayer; I’ve learned to lean on my husband more and feel more of his unconditional love; I’ve reached for the scriptures more.  In my weakness, I have found God in a new light, one that has led to a deeper walk, and greater searching to know Him more.  He is my heavenly father, and I want to run to Him and feel his comfort and wisdom.  Not that I am a fake person, but I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve.  Those closest to me are those with whom I confide.  It is those believers who have shown me Jesus.

Yes, in our weakness or brokenness God is strong, but He is strong anyway.  Will we ever learn to not wait until we are completely down to look up?  Will we ever learn to lay our burdens at the cross sooner?

Be encouraged to take the hand of the Father and walk with Him.  Let me know where he takes you.

All the best,
KK

Hand-crafted with You in Mind

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Does summer seem to be flying by for you?  I can’t decide if summer is a faster or slower pace than the school year.  Maybe that is because it’s just different.  Breaking out of our routine can make for some refreshing sites and experiences.  Sometimes that’s when God catches our attention.  During the school year we drive the same route to school, work and home.  But in the summer our schedule changes and the kids are at camp or doing other activities and we find ourselves on a road we wouldn’t ordinarily be on at sun set.  We look up and God has hand painted a vision that makes us think of Him, the artist that hand-crafted every detail.  He knew you would be on that road at that moment and He was hoping you would look up.

When this happens to me, I am convicted and wonder how many times that day He tried to get my attention and I ignored him.  Where have you seen God lately?  Has He tried to get your attention?  Were you too busy to notice?  Look around, I think He’s waiting for you; maybe in the most unsuspecting place.

Keep me posted.

All the best,

KK

Social Media and Birthday Greetings

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Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin changed the way I celebrated my birthday this year.  First of all, you need to know that I like having a birthday.  If it didn’t mean getting older, I’d do it more often.  But anyway, whether you like having a birthday or not, it is fun when others remember it (especially when you don’t remind them to remember it).  To me, a birthday is a day to remember that in God’s plan for my parents’ life he put that day and that time in place for me to be born.  The God of the universe knew my birthday before anyone else.  Pretty cool; and He knew yours too.  How much more special can you feel?  That’s why I like my birthday, because it reminds me of how important I am to my heavenly father.

Something else struck me this year though.  I was surprised and blessed by the number of Facebook and Linkedin greetings I received on my birthday.  People I don’t hear from on a regular basis or haven’t had the opportunity to speak to in years sent me birthday wishes.  How kind of them!  I was so touched that I responded to every one of them.  If they were going to be kind enough to take time out of their day to wish me well, I could take time to show them appreciation.

For all the cold, impersonal or weird status remarks we see in our various social mediums, on my birthday there were a lot of warm, kind wishes and thoughts sent.  Think about what this shows us, with the stroke of a few keys and two minutes out of our day we can encourage others.  Why wait for a birthday?  Choose a friend you haven’t heard from in a while and drop them a word to see how they are doing.

All the best,

KK