by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Sunshine warms the body but
encouragement
warms the soul.
E-N-C-O-U-R-A-G-E-M-E-N-T
We were enjoying a meal, my friend and me. Well, maybe enjoying isn’t the right word. She was struggling to come to grips with possible changes in her life and I was struggling for the right words to say.
And then it happened. Joe, an older gentleman whose family once attended church with ours, approached our table out of nowhere and handed each of us a bouquet of flowers.
The hands that offered us the flowers were Joe’s—the heart that prompted them, however,
was God’s.
Joe bought flowers that morning having no idea how greatly God would use them to encourage a person he didn’t even know. He simply felt prompted to buy and share them with others.
Who could use a little encouragement in your sphere of influence this week?
After all, it’s funny what a few flowers will a do.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“Lost time is
never found again.”
Benjamin Franklin
R-E-D-E-E-M-I-N-G
S-U-M-M-E-R
I made a lot of mistakes as a mom of two little boys, especially before coming to know Christ. But one thing I longed for as a young mother was to create good memories for my children. Today, I’m sharing three favorite family activities from way back when. Thankfully, rainy days and uncharted roads still offer much fun for children and adults alike.
On rainy days, pull out a lightweight sheet, gather a few chairs, and make a tent indoors. Fluffy pillows, popped corn, and a favorite movie are the perfect ingredients for a gaggle of giggles. Enjoying a picnic-type lunch under the sheet makes peanut butter and jelly taste even sweeter. Now I make tents for the grandchildren and they love it as much as their dads did all those years ago.
Play in the rain! I can’t say this happened often but when it did, it was fun. On days when lightening stays at bay but rain pours in buckets, take the kids outside, stick your tongues out and take it all in, for in a blink they’ll be taking their own children out to play. Trust me.
Explore! On a whim, I’d load up the boys to explore back roads we’d never traveled just to see where we’d end up. Of course, our final destination was located on a very familiar road offering up a well-acquainted dessert, the TCBY Shiver. (Who says I’m not adventurous?)
Your turn! Do you have a favorite activity you share (or shared) with the little ones in your life? We’d love to read about it, if so. Please share in the comment section.
“School teachers are not fully appreciated by parents
until it rains all day Saturday.” Unknown
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Is there anything more refreshing than a an ice cold slushy or a splash in the pool on a sweltering summer day?
R–E–F-R-E–S–H–M–E–N–T
Turns out, there is.
If you’ve attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference there’s one particular room where dreams have the potential to either take flight, or deflate as quickly as Tom Brady’s fleet of footballs. On one side of the table sit the agents, editors, publishers, etc. On the other, attendees waiting to pitch ideas or ask questions within their fifteen minute appointment. If an attendee arrives for their appointment and finds the person ahead of them still pitching past their allotted time, we’re told to quietly go stand behind the other conferee, signaling their time is up.
This year, while sharing my appointment time with Ginger Harrington, friend and fellow blogger, she noticed that her time immediately followed mine.
I smiled and told her to feel free to sneak up on me if my time ran over. Without hesitation she said, “I won’t be sneaking up on you, I’ll be standing there praying for you.”
This is one of many reasons I love the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference:
Prayer supersedes plans more often than not.
Our exchange that morning left me feeling refreshed—physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually. New perspectives have a way of doing that, don’t they?
So, how has God brought refreshment to your soul via another person lately?
(Congratulations to Ginger! She won 1st place in Blogging this year. Visit her site and you’ll see why.)
by Cathy Baker | Wellness |
by Cathy Baker
Three things you need to know about this post:
1. It’s not exactly a snippet.
2. It is, however, something I sense God wants me to share.
3. His promptings trump my plans.
H-E-A-L-T-H-Y
Before I jump in, you need to know that in 2012 I was enrolled in Weight Watchers, as I am now, but the results were much different. It took me six months to lose ten pounds. Here’s the difference:
My motivation. After gall bladder surgery in March my awesome hubby waited on me hand and foot. While a blessing, his willingness to care for me awakened me to the fact that if I kept going in the same direction on the scale, he would one day be taking care of me on a whole other level due to poor health. Another reason? I don’t want to “burden” my children in the future simply because I refuse to take better care of myself today.
Some things we have no control over
but the choices we can make today will determine the choices made for us in the future.
With that, here are some simple strategies that have evolved — and continue to evolve — as a Weight Watchers member. Even if you’re not enrolled in WW, I hope something will spark your interest. Remember, these are choices I’ve made based on my preferences. You’ll have your own. 🙂 And by the way, I have a long way to go. I’ve not arrived. I will fail at times but I’m in it for the long haul and these tips would’ve helped me stay on track in 2012, so here goes.
1. Count every single point. This also holds true if you’re counting carbs or calories. In 2012, I didn’t count the strawberry jam on my toast because, well, jam naturally goes with toast! #Fail.
2. Using my bonus points, I choose one special thing to eat/drink on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I try to leave at least 15 bonus points available for the week. This way, I’m able to work in my favorite Panera breakfast sandwich (replacing the egg with egg whites), my fancy froo-froo frappucino (I ask them to hold the whip cream but to put on a dome lid so that when I get home, I can fill it with my fat free whip) and last but not least, pumpkin bread from Starbucks on Sunday. There’s no deprivation here, my friends.
3. I make sure everything I use to cook breakfast (egg whites, grits, coffee) are clean the night before. This way, I’m not tempted to eat anything else. You’d be surprised how a dirty spatula can leave you aching for a gravy biscuit.
4. Keep healthy ingredients on hand as well as specific ingredients needed for your meals. I bake all my chicken for the week at once, weigh out 1.5 oz, and put that amount in individual freezer bags to pull out as needed for salads.
5. I’m learning to replace one high point food with a low one. I love sweets! I’ve found a WW candy that I find very satisfying for only 1 point. Sure beats a bag of 7 point M and M’s.
6. When recently meeting friends at a Mexican restaurant I decided ahead of time that if I left the restaurant without having eaten chips and salsa I would feel very deprived. I wouldn’t, however, feel deprived by leaving tacos in my wake so I ate a 3 point meal just before leaving the house and polished off my meal at the restaurant with a dozen chips and salsa for 4 points. Major score!
7. Combine breakfast and lunch points for something special. Eating a banana or other fruit earlier in the morning can make this a reality.
8. Before I go out to eat, I check the WW site to determine my options.
9. I bought a Fitbit with a heart-rate monitor and love it! Talk about motivation.
10. Going through several tests for my gall bladder issues in March helped me to realize that it was perfectly okay to go to bed with a growling tummy. Really, it is.
11. When we go to the movies (normally on a weekend) I plan to have my special treat (see #2) AFTER the movie. It gives me something to look forward to and I don’t succumb to the 30+ points the movie popcorn has to offer. #applydirectlytothehips
12. Accountability. I can’t stress this one enough. In all honesty, there were only two reasons why I re-joined Weight Watchers meetings: My best friend of 20+ years kept inviting me (at Summit Church we refer to this as being lovingly intrusive) and Michelin had a great deal to offer. But now as I look back I’m convinced the accountability has made all the difference.
13. Find an exercise that feels more like fun than torture. For me, it’s Jazzercise. I especially appreciate the fact there’s not an expansive glass wall putting me on display. #andsimpsonvilleheavesacollectivesighofrelief
Again, I’m not saying I’ve got it all under control — far from it — but for the first time in my life, I see the tremendous impact a handful of simple strategies can make in a person’s life. I want to encourage you as I encourage myself.
If you like the ideas above I can continue sharing them as I put them into practice but above all, I’d love to learn from YOU!
Please share any strategies you’ve learned along the way. To God be the glory.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Welcome to our June series, Summer Snippets!
Every Monday and Wednesday you’ll find a pithy post, perfect for hot summer days when a sip refreshes more than a guzzle.
I-N-S-P-I-R-A-T-I-O-N
inspire [in-spahyuh r]: to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
Many of us land on the steps of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in search of inspiration through newly forged friendships, positive appointments, and dynamic classes. Blue Ridge offers it all, but one bit of truth grounded my grandiose desires this year, and it was this: I can’t make anything happen. God is the Originator of all ideas. If we’re willing to do the hard work to see these ideas come to fruition, we can rest in knowing He goes before us, fully equipping us. He brings favor as He desires. He opens doors, and closes them. All for His glory.
Others inspire us
but only One indwells us
infusing our deepest desires with Sovereign power.
Father,
Take the desires you have placed on our hearts and bring them to fruition
for Your glory
in Your ways
and in Your timing,
for all personify a perfection we can trust.
What/who has recently served as an inspiration to you?
Speaking of inspiration, (how’s that for a segue?) I’m thrilled to announce that I’m now a regular contributor to Inspire A Fire! In fact, my first post is today. I’d love for you to hop over and take a look. Mark your calendar (or subscribe via email on Inspire A Fire’s site!) I’ll post the first Monday of every month.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
