#Write31Days Archives - Page 5 of 7

When Music Recalls a Fall Memory

by Cathy Baker

There I was, tapping away at the keys, listening to Pandora play quietly in the background, when in a flash, I found myself standing on green linoleum floors in the middle school choir room practicing “For the Beauty of the Earth” for our Thanksgiving production.

As the song played, my fingertips refused to budge as memories flooded the space. I closed my eyes, longing to soak in those simple times from way back when, if only for a few moments.

Music has a way of instantaneously transporting us to another time and place, wouldn’t you agree?

Hearing a song that ushered in the Fall season to a long ago middle-schooler caused me to pause and give thanks for this land I love, and to my heavenly Father, maker of heaven of earth.

Is there a particular song that prompts a spirit of gratitude in your heart, perhaps from way back when?

Three Lessons Learned from the 31 Day Writing Challenge

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 2 comments

by Cathy Baker

{ Day 31 }

This post officially ends the Write 31 Days Challenge but because of it, some things are just beginning, thanks to a few lessons I learned along the way:

The more we exercise our calling/ministries, the more creative we become. Prior to the challenge, I often struggled for blog ideas but a funny thing happened as I made my way to the laptop each day. Ideas evolved from unexpected places. It was exciting!

Have you also found this to be true with

your own calling or ministry?

God provides a multitude of practical ways His children can stay in step with Him. Becoming intentional made all the difference. I asked God to open my spiritual eyes and He led the way. He always does.

Was there one particular step during the challenge that resonated most with you?

(See past posts below)

We ARE up for the challenge. Writing for thirty-one days under the umbrella of one subject was daunting, to say the least, but I needed a challenge. I’d become sluggish, taking the joy discovered via writing for granted. The non-adventurist within warned that I may not be able to follow-through with the challenge—but I did it anyway. As a result, I plan to start ignoring that non-adventurist voice more often.

Is there a challenge you’ve been postponing?

I thought I’d feel relieved to have the challenge behind me and yet it feels like I’m bidding a friend farewell.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

#Write31Days past posts:

{ Day 14 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Partnering, Not Competing

{ Day 28 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Well Placed Pooch

{ Day 29 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Pure Motivations

Staying in the Step with the Spirit Via Pure Motivations

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 10 comments

by Cathy Baker

{ Day 29 }

It didn’t take long
for me to realize that we writers can quickly become fascinated with numbers. The
number of books sold, or hits on a particular blog, article, or Facebook
post. Let’s face it. All of these things, in some way, validate the fact our work is being read, and hopefully finding its way to the hearts of those God intended. But, if we’re not careful, over-focusing on numbers can not only choke out our joy but it can take our motivation captive.

That’s a lot of liking!

For some reason, I thought I’d escaped the clinching chains of counting numbers until this summer when I
found myself face to face with discouragement. To make my point, I must be painfully honest. Sigh. You see, discouragement slithered
its way in the back door when I began noticing a drop-off in blog comments,
leading me to question if the time required to create my posts was a wise use of God’s time.

Around
that same time, a handful of people, some I’ve never met, began emailing me after reading
particular posts. Their emails often resulted (and still do) in a deep
abiding gratefulness no words can describe. (You know who you are! Thank
you!)

Here’s
the thing. Their comments showed up in a private inbox, for no one else
to see. In other words, the comment count on my blog didn’t change but God used these private messages to not only encourage me but to also teach me a game-changing lesson I’ll take with me to eternity.

In the midst of my deepest discouragement, I sensed God asking, If your motivation is to glorify Me alone, does it matter if comments show up on your blog or in your inbox?

Truth snapped my soul
like a taut rubber band awakening me from my spiritual slumber. Ah, now I remember why I often begin my time in prayer with Psalm 139:23, 24: Rarely, if ever, can I trust my own motives. God must be the motive searcher of all things for He alone knows me—really knows me. He alone sees past my good intentions and zeroes in on specks of pride searching for places to take root in my heart.

Yes, comments and emails still delight and encourage this old soul but now they’re simply a gift, not a measuring stick for validating my time.

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23, 24

Staying in Step with the Spirit: God alone is our Validator. When He is invited to search our hearts and to test our anxious thoughts, we are humbling ourselves before Him… and a humble heart is one close to its Maker.

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and test us. You alone know our true thoughts and deepest motivation concerning all things. Purify us and lead us in the way everlasting as we humble ourselves before you.

Your turn! Have you ever looked to anything but God for validation along the way?

Staying In Step with the Spirit Via A Well Placed Pooch

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 2 comments

by Cathy Baker

{ Day 28 }

She stayed a few steps ahead of me, pushing her baby stroller with baby Rapunzel in tow.

It wasn’t long before Rupert, our 11 year old Lhasa Apso decided to join in the stroll. Unfortunately, aging Lhasas aren’t always the best companion for little ones, especially when their wee feet are in motion. Rupert has never hurt Piper but he’s growled and nipped enough towards her toes to make her understandably nervous at times. (Let’s just say he’s seeing his crate increasingly more when the grands come for a visit.)

Rupert, our ornery well loved Lhasa.

I stayed between her and Rupert as we strolled throughout the rooms but with every few steps, she’d glance back to make sure Rupert wasn’t following too closely. Each time, I’d reassure her:

“Don’t worry, Pipes.”
“I’m standing between you and Rupert. He can’t touch you.”
“It’s okay.”
“You just keeping looking straight ahead. I’m watching out for you.”

My reassurances to Piper came naturally, like grandparent to child. I smiled and continued patting her petite shoulders when the Lord whispered, This is a picture of you and Me. I reassure you with My promises during your times of fear but like Piper, you often spend more time glancing over your shoulder rather than enjoying our stroll together.

Sweet Pipes and her pigtails.

The tone of His voice wasn’t condemning or else I’d know it wasn’t my heavenly Father (Romans 8:8). Instead, it was the voice of a Father desiring more for His daughter, much like I wanted Piper to enjoy her stroll and simply trust me to protect her from an ornery but well-loved pooch.

Staying in Step with the Spirit: Sometimes staying in step with God’s Spirit is simply recognizing how closely His steps are to ours.

Heavenly Father, help us to trust Your promises at all times, especially when we can’t “see” you at work in our lives. Thank You for being a loving, firm, always-wanting-what’s-best-for-His-children kind of Father, and not a condemning One. Because You have our back, we no longer need glance over our shoulders in fear.

Your turn! Do you have a favorite promise of God you’d like to share?

#Write31Days past posts: