Someone has asked the question, and today I’m pondering it.
Why do most people over estimate what they can accomplish in one year and under-estimate what they can accomplish in 10 years?
What do you think?
KK
Why?
Reply
Category Archives: Faith
Who’s the victim now?
At some point in everyone’s life something bad happens. The country music industry is proof of that. How many songs are all about heart-ache and double crossing meanness? Maybe you were shorted an opportunity as a child, as a young adult someone lies or breaks your heart, or as a professional someone discredits you to the point of losing your job. Take a look at these three scenarios — what’s the commonality? What could you control? Finding yourself as a victim offers the opportunity for choices.
You have the choice to stay down in the situation and wallow, or you can take charge of your responsibility in the situation, how did it get as bad as it did? What could you have done differently? Answers to these questions allow the freedom to grow as a person, move forward and not remain stuck.
Even if it takes years to grow up and out of the situation, at some point in order to be free of the chains of victimization, you have to own the situation, learn from it and grow into a wiser person.
Hanging on to unfair situations in the past only burdens the future. This process of overcoming injustices can be 
amazing and freeing. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is work on bettering yourself and breaking free when others around you don’t live by the same life-long values.
Consider yourself challenged to do some soul-searching and decide today what stronghold or area of your life needs addressing. Can you see yourself as successfully walking away from being a victim and being free from whatever restricts you from being the best you were created to be? Is it an area that at the end of your days you will be thankful you addressed?
All the best,
KK
It’s Just a Drop in the Bucket
How many times is the question asked, “What does it matter”? It’s just a drop in the bucket; meaningless. Every day we make 
thousands of declarations, I do, I don’t, I will, I can’t, yes, no, maybe. Each of these little words leads to an action or no action, but all of them move us forward. Put these declarations in a string and the results are decisions that pave the journey of life. Meaningless – no decision is completely meaningless and all lead to experiences that make and mold who we are. What impact will my decisions really have, I am one individual?
Recently, I was watching the Discovery Channel with my son. The show talked about water molecules. Water drops tend to reach and adhere to each other. So two drops of water close enough on a plate or counter will join and become a bigger drop. If you fill a cup to the rim the water molecules are clinging to each other and will sit on the very edge of the cup until some other action forces them over the edge.
This bucket was set under a dripping facet – one drip at a time and a few hours later the bucket was full. One drip barely made t
he bucket wet, but in a short time there is enough to wash.
Choices and decisions may seem like nothing, but they all lead to something. Where are you going?
All the best,
KK
Motivated by Fear
Fear gets a bad rap. Fear shouldn’t be a primary emotion or state of being; but it does have value. There is respectable fear of those in authority; or the awareness that comes from the fear of walking down a dark street at night. What about the fear that motivates?
In 2010 when I was unemployed, the fear of letting a depressin
g situation overtake me got me out of bed every morning and kept me from going back to bed when I was home alone. When my jeans get a little tight, the fear of “out-growing” them motivates me to eat a little healthier so as to not gain unwanted weight.
The Bible says that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Godly wisdom birthed from fear leads to knowledge and life according to several passages. Something so unwanted as the emotion of fear can lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and our great and powerful God.
Fear has a dark side. Fear can be paralyzing. In those frozen moments it takes character, fortitude and faith to look beyond the fear to what happens when it is overcome.
Think about it.
All the best,
KK
Consider Mary
Consider Mary; young, outcast, weary of nine months of whispers as she passed the other women rather than motherly advice from her elders. Did the hormonal swings make her think she was crazy? With no book, What to Expect when Expecting to guide her, she prepared for her baby and our king. Did she know how to count the weeks and months until the birth? In her third trimester did she understand Braxton Hicks contractions? Joseph had come back ready to love her through this, did she wonder if he would change his mind? Knowing they would be traveling to Bethlehem, did she do any “nesting” like most mothers, preparing space and blankets for wrapping her new born?
Each year at Christmas as a mother, I am drawn to Mary and her point of view. Nine months pregnant, more than likely swollen and uncomfortable riding on the back of a lumpy donkey, did she weep with fear of giving birth?
Or in her discomfort, fear and pain, did the God who chose her, carry her. Did she find peace in the silence and feel His strength and confidence surround her?
Jesus didn’t just feel his humanity when he was older and being tempted in the desert, even during birth the babe experienced the trauma of the birth canal and his first sounds were that of his mother’s scream during delivery. No doubt Jesus immediately felt the dramatic contrast from the warmth of a mother’s womb to the coldness of the world.
All births are miracles, if you are a mother, you can imagine Mary holding her child close to nestle him in the warmth of her arms. While we may have held our children in wonder about who this little person is and what they will be when they are grown. Mary held her son knowing his purpose but not fully understanding his impact.
Recovering from giving birth, Mary lay resting with her child snuggled close and a loving but shell-shocked Joseph trying very hard to make their surroundings more comfortable.
Taking a deep breath of contentment, the young mother, forgetting the nine-confusing months rested under the star that made the silent announcement that her son had arrived and the world would forever be changed.
Gardening in the spiritual sense
Many times on Sunday afternoon after church and our family lunch, Jay will retire to a nap, Cole to the couch for relaxing with some TV and I head for the yard. Some might call what I do, “yard work”, but for someone like me who works in a professional setting, climate controlled office 40+ hours a week, it’s much, much more than that; even though I end up hot, sweaty and very dirty.
I like plants and flowers and have garden areas in the front and back of our home. It’s still absolutely amazing to me to plant a seed or small flower and watch it grow. Isn’t that amazing? Most of the time while pulling weeds or trimming I think about the sermon from that morning, our Creator and this earth He gave us that we so readily consume without a second thought. Sometimes I think about all my questions for God, like “are weeds that bloom really weeds or just misplaced flowers?” Today, I planted mums (.88 cents at Home Depot) and my trees from the Arbor Foundation (www.arborday.org). Today I thought about the legacy of gardening I’ve inherited. Family legend has it that my MaMaw Bray could poke a hole in
the ground with her finger, put a stick in it and grow a tree. My mother is a gardener and gave me something close to a stick with roots last spring assuring me if I put it in the ground I will have a Butterfly bush. I did what I was told and sure enough there grew a Butterfly bush that was very busy this afternoon.
Being outside trimming and cleaning up the garden reminds me of how we should constantly be aware of how God nips and prunes us to become the beautiful person He sees when He looks at us. At the end of my time outside I usually turn on the hose and give all the flowers a drink, hose down the sidewalk and my feet. What a wonderful site and fresh smell; completely natural.
Ok, so to top it off, I like to mow also. In fact, I’m a little sad that my son is getting old enough and motivated (by the pay) to want to mow. It’s like getting a haircut. You start out a little unkempt and in an hour you have a clean, well-manicured look and feel. The same holds true for your lawn. Within a short time (and even when you don’t edge) you have a tidy looking yard. To make mowing really appealing in today’s vernacular; it’s pretty much instant gratification. There, I said it.
Coming in from the garden I am sticky, dirty, and if I’ve worn a cap it’s pretty much sweat-plastered to my head until I’m safely in the bathroom where no one can see the mess of my hair. I always feel my cleanest after a post-gardening shower. From a dirty mess to clean and fresh, huh, pretty much the point the pastor was trying to make.
Think about it,
KK
Think about it…
Recently I noticed my indoor plants were dying. Some of these plants I have had for years. What was going on? Immediately checking their soil, they were dry as a bone. How could I have forgotten to water them? Then it occurred to me. I have spent the spring and summer focusing on our landscaping on the outside, I forgot to pay attention to the beautiful greenery that I had growing on the inside of our home. I had passed these plants every day, dusted around them every week (or so) and yet, their needs for nurture had been neglected. It took less than 10 minutes to water and feed all of my plants and within a couple of days they were looking better.
House plants create warmth and show life in a home. They are green and grow year round. Is there something wilting on the inside that you need to water and nurture? What would 10 minutes of taking care of your heart and soul mean to your week?
Think about it.
All the best,
KK
Lessons from Eli
He came home on May 7th only four pounds and completely cute. Immediately he stole our hearts. Little did I know that over the next few months, Eli, the little brown dog, had a few lessons for our family.
Being content – Eli likes to chew on things and his owners’ toes and fingers. While the cuteness factor helped him not get sent back, the chewing was hurtful and annoying. So, we acquired several of what were touted to be “puppy’s favorite” toys. There were balls, and squeaky toys, a few old socks. With all of these choices surrounding him, Eli still chose to steal our shoes, or just walk up and chomp on our toes. With all those puppy toys, chosen for him and completely right for him, he was not content. He wanted something else. He wanted things not right for him and even would get him in trouble.
How many times do you find yourself in Eli’s position? Look around, do you have your “favorites”? Do you have what you need to satisfy your desire to chew? Do you find yourself ignoring that which has been provided to fulfill your needs, for that which only leads to trouble?
We are all guilty of being discontent. We don’t just relax in warmth of having what we need and if I had to guess, most of what we want.
Guilty and running – not long after we brought Eli home he began to learn right and wrong. Remember the chewing need? Eli would be doing great, lying on the floor chewing on his bone, and then without rhyme or reason he would get up grab a shoe and RUN! Why run if he didn’t know he was guilty? His demeanor changed as he crawled under the bed. Clutching the shoe with all he had, Eli would not release or come out.
How many times when you have done something wrong have you run from those who care enough to not want you to hurt yourself or do something wrong? Maybe you find yourself hiding and hoping those who want to help you do something more positive pass by.
We didn’t just pass by, we knew it was important for Eli to learn not to chew on shoes, so we crawled under the bed with him and grabbed the shoe he shouldn’t have. After crawling back out and calling Eli, he gladly followed. Most of the time this exchange resulted in our finding a treat and a toy to redirect his behavior.
Eli continues to teach us lessons. In each of these scenarios, Eli was given the opportunity to learn something new, turn a negative into a positive, and be with those who love him most.
Are Eli’s lessons your lesson?
All the best,
KK
Ssshhh, listen
It’s obvious to me that everything happens for a reason; especially for the believer. Sometimes we don’t know the reason. But knowing our heavenly father and the order He created, I find it hard to think that believers who are really focused on Him are just ping-ponging through this world.
I think we are completely challenged by the distractions in life and often miss His still small voice. We are too busy doing and checking (voicemail, email, texts, etc.). We are distracted and don’t always hear God’s leading. James 1:19 says that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…and verse 22 continues this theme, “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
While this passage gives us the push to do what the word says, the first thing it tells us is to be quick to listen. What would happen if we spent as much time or more after we talk to God just listening, truly be still and listen for the voice of our Creator? What would He say to you?
KK
A Wonder-filled Christmas moment
Heavenly Father,
Allow us to draw near to you on that day in Bethlehem. Help us to feel the jostling of the crowd as Joseph led the donkey with his beloved aboard; knowing that while you were the Father, he was the man to care for your chosen and your son. May we know the worry on his face and in his heart as inn after inn they were turned away? The city was full. There was no room. How like it is today with the over shadowing of gifts, parties and food that we forget to take care of that which is eternal. Do we even notice?
Give us the opportunity, Lord, to be still, to experience that holy night. Permit us to put the noise of the city and the commotion of too many distractions aside and see the star that you set in the sky at creation. We take a deep breath and push our way through the crowd to follow the star and focus on that moment you pre-ordained to change the course of history as those in the City of David knew it.
It’s hard to push aside the distractions and find our way to the edge of town. No one really noticed our exit, our following that poor, tired family to the barn. Where are they going? Another over crowded building that stinks! Joseph, you can’t let the Savior of the world be born there! He is tired and has tried his earthly best to find a bed for his betrothed. Grant us this moment to feel his unworthiness. Does he realize his human efforts are all in your plan?
Oh, the stench of too many animals and not enough manpower to keep the guests room clean much less the barn. The first blow of air as the doors are open brings Joseph to almost puke, but he pushes the door open to allow for some fresh air as he makes space for Mary. He gingerly helps her off the donkey and to the pallet of a thin blanket and some hay.
Mary was not spared the pain of childbirth; but it didn’t matter. Scream all you want Mary, the animals will empathize and the people are too busy and noisy to notice. She takes a deep breath with the pain only to choke on the stench. Joseph wipes her sweat and then that of his own. His ordinary life is about to change for the extra-ordinary. The moment in time that will change the world and the world isn’t even paying attention.
Father, please pull us near in these next few hours and let us be there with you. For in the last scream of pain you pushed into this world just as promised. The baby that was fully God and fully human squeezed into this world and now wants to squeeze into our hearts. May we clear the clutter of our lives for Him?
Let the world stand still just this night, Lord, bring the peace, and the Savior into our hearts where He might live tonight and every day and night to follow. Breathe into our homes and lives the spirit of the miracle and wonder of Christmas. It is not for us to understand it all, but just accept with faith that extra-ordinary measure you took, using ordinary people, in an ordinary town one night – the most holy of nights.
Amen.
My Friend and Reader,
Feel free to pass this post to someone you know and care about. Knowing Christmas for the Savior who came will be the best gift ever.
All the best,
KK
KK's Candor 