Kristin Saatzer

Purposeful Encouragement

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I am delighted that you stopped by, welcome! The Lord lifts me up through His word and friends- personal friends and those who write words that minister to my soul.

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Make the Most of Your Time

September 12, 2023 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

“Be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise. Making the most of your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Eph 5:15-17

 

Tears escaped as I sat down on a curb on a busy street. Yes, I looked pretty foolish.

As I walked around my neighborhood, a sermon played in my headphones. It was a season of confusion as I wrestled with some decisions regarding time commitments. I felt like I was wasting too much time on things that didn’t matter; I wanted my priorities to be God’s priorities. So, when I heard the pastor read this passage of scripture from Ephesians 5, I dropped in the middle of the sidewalk, sat on the curb, rewound this section of the sermon, and listened to these words on repeat.

 It seemed God wanted me to hear these verses on that day. I fell in love with these words of wisdom and committed them to memory soon after.

The apostle Paul was writing to the church in Ephesus, encouraging the people he loved dearly to live with intention, live a life that honors God and follow Christ’s example. His writing reflects a sense of urgency because of the morally evil times in which they were living.

These words apply to us today.

Be careful how you walk, Paul says first. Walk as a wise person would. Think about how you are spending the majority of your time. How is it honoring God? How is it not?

Next, he says to make the most of our time because the days are evil. We can look around our culture and see how dark it seems, as did Paul in his day. So, how do you make the most of your time, practically speaking? What are your priorities in these dark days? Are you shining God’s light? What time wasters can you shed?

Lastly, Paul admonishes us not to be foolish but to understand the will of God. I believe the general will of God is simply reading His word each day, loving Him and others, and sharing His message. So, how does that look in your life?

Yes, we need rest and fun, and that is all good. But to truly live a life of purpose takes evaluation and time, time feasting on God’s word. And living with intention motivates us, focusing us on what matters most—enabling us to drop what isn’t best and to tackle our priorities.

And when we do this, we have more time.

After I got off that hard curb, I brushed away the tears and slowly began to live with focused intention. This passage became the theme scripture of my life and has guided me over the years as I seek to live on purpose for God’s purposes.

I pray this beloved passage will do the same for you.

 

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Summer of Praise

August 14, 2023 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalm 34:1 KJV

 

How are you filling your soul this summer?

I’ve camped out in the Psalms. Reading through this beautiful poetic book and praying much of the prose, I find that my soul fills with more of God.

The time spent in praise is a gift I am greatly treasuring. I’ve pondered the power of praise and noted the various ways it benefits and fills me. Here are a few of them…

Praise is worship.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
And with my song I praise him.  
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

Worship is an act of affection to God, and praise celebrates what God has done. I often read parts of the Psalms aloud to the Lord, showering love on Him with words that start in my heart. Come, let us adore Him with our voices and hearts. Continue Reading

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Four Favorites for Summer

August 2, 2023 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Welcome to the dog days of summer. It sure is cooking in these parts!

Let’s talk about a few of my summer favorites:

  • I recently took a trip to Texas, and these worked great in my plane tote. TSA-Approved Clear Travel Toiletry Bag with Zippers Carry-on Travel Accessories Quart Size (2 pcs)  https://amzn.to/3KkFxTD
  • I am almost done with this one. This bathing suit season, stick this book in your pool or beach bag (and be ready to do some spiritual/physical/emotional work). This read is just what the “diet culture” needs, and I am loving it. https://amzn.to/3qcwWLT 

 

  • Brunch with Babs. They call her “everyone’s grandmother,” and she is a hoot. Plus, she is a wealth of knowledge: recipes, parties, holidays, cleaning, organizing, and fun. Look her up before you plan your next summer barbeque. She’s on all the socials and is a fun Instagram follow. https://www.brunchwithbabs.com/

May be an image of 1 person

 

  • Loving my new summer lipstick: Mary Kay Sunset Peach. I bought it from my favorite Mary Kay consultant: https://www.marykay.com/SHoughton 

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick ***SUNSET PEACH*** 094637 - NIB - Picture 1 of 6

Enjoy these dog days! What are your summer favorites?

Blessings,

Kristin

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The End of an Era

June 20, 2023 By Kristin Saatzer 6 Comments

Over a salad with friends recently, I shared how my high school graduate, Micah, finished his sports “career.” And so did I. My spectator-mom “career,” that is. As I sipped my tea, I calculated aloud how many years I have lived with bleacher buns: almost twenty-four. Twenty-four years! I almost spit out my tea. One of my friends said, “It’s the end of an era.”

The end of an era, yes.

Our oldest son is 28, and he began soccer at age five. We’ve had short breaks but only a few and not for long. My husband coached most of our boys’ pre-high school teams. It has always been a family affair.

I remember a day when my mother-in-law reflected sentimentally about her days as a spectator mom. As we watched my oldest son Sammy’s little league baseball game, she told me how much she cherished those days and missed them. This memory is crystal clear to me because I could not imagine missing those days. There I sat with three youngsters in tow (one was potty training, and one was a newborn).

Dan and I joke that our boys were raised on the baseball fields. And in part, they were.

 I potty trained two in the rec center bathroom next to field 5. I think of it every time I see it. I changed diapers in the stroller, dispensed discipline, fed them meals, and chased after those wild little boys.Continue Reading

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Celebrating another year of my dad’s life! 🎂 #grateful
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Celebrating another year of my dad’s life! 🎂 #grateful
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Grateful God gave me this one 29 years ago. AND that I get to celebrate with him today. He sure adds life & fun to our fam!
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Grateful God gave me this one 29 years ago. AND that I get to celebrate with him today. He sure adds life & fun to our fam!
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Happy 26th to this fabulous son of mine! Noah, you are a light to all who know you - so funny, insightful, and loving. God sure blessed me with you.
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Happy 26th to this fabulous son of mine! Noah, you are a light to all who know you - so funny, insightful, and loving. God sure blessed me with you.
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“Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.” – Mitch Albom
So thankful for your story, your life, and your love! Cheers to you, my fabulous mother. Happy birthday!
“Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.” – Mitch Albom
So thankful for your story, your life, and your love! Cheers to you, my fabulous mother. Happy birthday!
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“Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.” – Mitch Albom So thankful for your story, your life, and your love! Cheers to you, my fabulous mother. Happy birthday!
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Sweet reunion at the Reunion Kitchen!  Lovely friends from our newlywed days. 💕 So much fun reminiscing and catching up.
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Sweet reunion at the Reunion Kitchen! Lovely friends from our newlywed days. 💕 So much fun reminiscing and catching up.
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These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
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These are the good old days.
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Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
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Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
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Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away. #graduationday🎓
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Sister time!
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Sister time!
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Fun time celebrating our two grads on Sunday! They sure are loved. ♥️
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Fun time celebrating our two grads on Sunday! They sure are loved. ♥️
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This guy… #oneweekuntilgraduation #seniorawardsnight
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The last boy had his last sports banquet last night. 
What an adventure these four years of baseball have been (Covid, injury, illness, and major back issues to boot). But mostly fun with fabulous memories. These senior boys are a special group. Proud of my Micah! #2weeksuntilgraduation #thelasts
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The last boy had his last sports banquet last night. What an adventure these four years of baseball have been (Covid, injury, illness, and major back issues to boot). But mostly fun with fabulous memories. These senior boys are a special group. Proud of my Micah! #2weeksuntilgraduation #thelasts
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My guys surprised me with a trip to LA to watch our Padres (missed Noah and Lauren). Too bad we didn't bring them luck.
My guys surprised me with a trip to LA to watch our Padres (missed Noah and Lauren). Too bad we didn't bring them luck.
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My guys surprised me with a trip to LA to watch our Padres (missed Noah and Lauren). Too bad we didn't bring them luck.
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From the Blog

  • Make the Most of Your Time
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  • Four Favorites for Summer
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  • Four Favorites for June

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