by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Brian and I recently had a blast keeping Piper for part of the week while our kids were in Florida. They may have had the Disney passes, but if the truth be told, we felt as if we were the ones on the magical carpet ride.
We played hide-n-seek in her pink tent, read lots of books, and enjoyed the great outdoors together. One of my favorite outings was a mini shopping trip to Target. I’ve always looked forward to taking my grandchildren to pick out a little something special for themselves. (I have my sweet Aunt Shirley to thank for this desire as I’ve never forgotten how it felt when she purchased a baby doll for me “just because” while shopping at a NC mall eons ago. Thank you again, Aunt Shirley.)
So there we were. The three of us strolling the Target aisles. Brian and I took turns picking out toys we thought she’d enjoy. And she did! For about 3 seconds. None of the toys we showed her were extravagant but I’ll admit we did try to choose those we felt would bring a smile of delight.
Among other things, we “offered” her:
- A practically life-sized Minnie Mouse
- Pink push mobile with all the bells and whistles (literally)
- A toddler-sized guitar with real strings to strum
But this is what Piper refused to release after the normal 3 second drop:
Two of the homeliest and cheapest baby dolls Target had to offer.
I couldn’t help but wonder how Piper ended up settling for these two dolls when we wanted to give her so much more.
And yet, all too often I find myself doing the same thing with my heavenly Father. While I’m not a name-it and claim-it kind of girl, there were many years my spiritual pendulum swung too far in the opposite direction, suppressing the joy that came from fully embracing all God had for me as His daughter.
I’m slowly learning that when I settle for the “good enough” blessings in my life I’m not only cheating myself out of God’s best, but I’m also cheating others out of them as well for nothing we receive is to remain in us — they are to flow through us for God’s glory.
Is there an area in your life where you’re settling for the $3.49 blessing even though your heavenly Father stands ready to pour out His priceless gifts to you — not only for you, but for the benefit of others and the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to
those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 ESV
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
In honor of National Poetry Month, a favorite poem by a favorite poet:
Last Night the Rain Spoke to Me
by Mary Oliver
Last night
the rain
spoke to me
slowly, saying,
what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud,
to be happy again
in a new way
on the earth!
That’s what it said
as it dropped,
smelling of iron,
and vanished
like a dream of the ocean
into the branches
and the grass below.
Then it was over.
The sky cleared.
I was standing
under a tree.
The tree was a tree
with happy leaves,
and I was myself,
and there were stars in the sky
that were also themselves
at the moment
at which moment
my right hand
was holding my left hand
which was holding the tree
which was filled with stars
and the soft rain—
imagine! imagine!
the long and wondrous journeys
still to be ours.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I’m sharing a few favorite pics, mainly because I love them, but also because I’m under the weather, thanks to a multitude of dusty totes being carried from our attic, through the house, and into storage. Gotta love a roof job! Turns out, even if you get three shots a week for allergies, you’re still not immune. Sigh. I couldn’t write a normal post if I tried.
So, here goes with some of my favorite pics from the past week or two:
One of Piper’s favorite things to do when she comes to visit is to play Brian’s mandolin. As you can see, she holds the flat pick just right and plucks away like Brian shows her. My only regret in this picture is that you can’t see the new curl that’s cropped up. A-dorable!
It’s a paci in motion! This little apple didn’t fall from the tree. Lucky for Zach, I don’t have pictures handy from his toddler days where the proof of his love for the pacifier was plastered in a red rash on top of his upper lip. (You do know that’s why parents keep embarrassing pictures of their children, right? This, and their wedding rehearsal slide show.)
Bye-bye Rupert! Our Lhasa is heading to the vet for some special pampering in their TLC boarding section for a few days while our roof is replaced. It’s apparently a very noisy job that would spook Rup for sure — especially if when I escape to Starbucks.
I pray you have a very blessed week. We have much to be thankful for…such as friends and family who take a few moments out of their hectic week to stop by and read my posts.
Thank you!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This week I had the privilege of meeting with a couple friends to help review CHASE, a new DVD based study by Jennie Allen. We did a brief walk-through of one lesson, so this is by no means a thorough review, but here’s why it was an immediate fave:
- I liked Jennie. She seemed authentic, down to earth, and well-studied. I felt as if I was sitting across from a friend with a hot cup of coffee in hand discussing our favorite subject: God’s Word.
- The study layout is clean with ample white space. It has a nice contemporary/fresh feel to it.
- I mentioned the contemporary layout because although it initially appeals to the eyes, it doesn’t take long for the scripture verses and insightful questions to take hold of the heart and mind.
- I could envision smaller groups working well with this study — those searching for more discussion than digging. There’s obviously a place for both, as long as they’re centered on and saturated in the Word.
I would definitely consider leading this study in a smaller setting. The cost for the leader’s kit is also considerably less than others – a real plus for many small groups. $26.39, Amazon.
Have a great weekend!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It’s the first day of Spring!
This season, I will celebrate:
- My risen Savior. The same dunamis power that raised Jesus from the grave resides in me – within every Christ follower – and He is a life changer. My celebration of this gospel-driven truth isn’t limited to the one Sunday many rise before the sun, wear new outfits, and race to find the most brightly colored eggs. For “‘In Him we live and move and have our being…'”. Acts 17:28
- Light breezes, rainy mornings, emerging hostas, and shady corners in my yard. (Along with a possible screened-in back porch from which to enjoy all of the above. My vintage glider is waiting for a test drive from Piper.)
- Getting a new roof! Our hundred-year old home has never seen one — and we have a leak to prove it. But God (two favorite words) blessed us through this experience in a way we never expected. Thank You Lord!
- My time at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in May. 60 days away…but who’s counting? Reservations are made, a possible book idea to pitch is in the works, and I can’t wait to hug this friend in person. We’ve been e-friends for a year but we’ll meet face to face in May. Building relationships is one of the things BRMCWC does best.
- Running! I received official clearance after a procedure last week and I’ve already begun my walk/run journey. Starting over again at 50 will certainly be different than years past. I may be slow and steady but this I know for sure: I’m moving in the right direction.
What’s one thing you will be celebrating this Spring season? Welcome to the party!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This weekend we celebrated the BIG 5-0 birthday of a crazy dear friend, Kevin. In lieu of gifts, we were asked to bring a card expressing what we appreciate most about him.
It was one of the easiest cards I’ve ever written.
Several years ago, he and his a-mazing wife, Carolyn, were in a Bible study I co-led during one of the morning services at Crossroads. I’ll never forget how his eyes lit up when I announced we’d probably stay in the book of John for a year. Kevin didn’t simply attend a Bible study, he came anticipating God to teach him of Himself. Light bulbs often sizzled above his Rod Stewart doo as newly discovered truths came to life. His zeal for the Word ignited something within us all.
Fast forward four years. We found ourselves at different churches…until Brian and I joined
Summit Upstate in 2012, where Kevin and Carolyn were already members. Care to guess who became our small group leader? Yep! The guy with the studded 5-0 glasses, birthday sash, and pink cords. (You know you love them, Carolyn!)
Brian and I could not ask for more godly, transparent, and Christ-focused leaders than Kevin and Carolyn Kennedy.
So you see why the words flowed with such ease as I took pen to paper before the weekend celebration. How often in life does God not only allow paths to cross again, but to also come full circle?
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Rom. 12:11
