Cathy's Heart

Are You Listening I love my dad! He taught me the value of hard work. Plus, he passed on to me the essential life skills of golfing, rifle shooting, and catching fish.    It occurred to me, as I prepared to write this post, my dad also helped me learn another invaluable lesson. Possibly, one of the most important of all. He taught me to pay attention and listen to the voice of God!   I remember, I was just a girl. While I never caught many, I loved to fish. There was no greater feel than a pole in my hand, a sitting rock under my bottom, and a blue lake shimmering before my eyes.    One unforgettable fishing trip happened at a lake in Arizona. My dad had barely parked the car, when I jumped out, grabbed my pole, threw it over my shoulder, and hightailed-it to the lake's glistening shore.   "Cathy, stop." I heard his voice, but I couldn't stop. I would… Just as soon as I got to the lake.   "Caaattthhhyyyy, STOP!!!!" He yelled the words urgently!  ...

The Mallard and A Flight Change Recently, while catching up with a dear friend at Starbucks during a trip to Scottsdale, I shared about a divine appointment I had on my flight over.    "I believe each of us have divine appointments everyday," she responded.    I had to agree. The problem is, I don't always recognize these encounters. Or, when I do recognize one, it may be inconvenient or feel awkward. There are times, however, when there can be no doubt God has creatively redirected my steps to put me at  the exact right place, at the exact right time.   This happened a few weeks ago, on my walk along the San Diego Bay. That day, I took my usual route. I passed sailboats and yachts, vendors and artists displaying their wares, and quaint seaport shops and restaurants. Suddenly, I stopped. There beside me, in a picturesque setting, stood a bright, green-headed mallard.   The scene demanded a picture. I opened my photo app, and took the shot. As if o...

Accepting Your Life Story Recently, I have been very unhappy. Grouchy. Grumbly... Ever have one of those seasons?   I know, I am extravagantly blessed! I should be overjoyed with my life. I should count my blessings. Yet, I have been extraordinarily sad.   “Lord,” I’ve cried, “Why am I so miserable?”   One simple word came to mind.  Discontentment . Yes. That was the answer.   The truth jarred me. Amidst an abundance that is good in my life, I am not content!   This past weekend, the Lord provided my husband and I with an a unexpected getaway. We brought our books, our journals, our Bibles.   The first morning, I settled into a lounge chair, poolside. I opened a book, which I have been meaning to read for months. I enjoy the author’s  blog posts . So, I had no doubts her book would be wonderful too.   I was captured from page one.  Ann Voskamp’s  deliberate and poetic expression have always taken my mind beyond simple description to...

3 Small Stones to Slay the Goliath in Your Life FEAR, it was my constant companion from my earliest days. I remember running to my parents room night after night because of terrifying nightmares or climbing under my bed in the dark because of a frightening noise or peeking through tightly laced fingers during the scary part of a movie. Just like the Bible story of the young shepherd boy, David, and his enemy, Goliath, FEAR was my enemy---the Goliath I always contended with.   I thought fear was normal, something I just had to live with. Until, I surrendered my life to Jesus. Then I began to learn that God didn't want me to be afraid. Like David, the Lord began to show me a handful of "smooth stones" I could use to slay my Goliath of fear.    1) Don't Feed The Giant   My first memory, when I finally understood the grip fear had on my life, was at a horror movie. Until then, I loved to watch scary movies. But that night, it was all I could do not to run out of the buil...