Kristin Saatzer

Purposeful Encouragement

  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Books I Love
  • Savor the Savior Book
  • Hear The Savior Book
You are here: Home / 2018 / Archives for September 2018

Archives for September 2018

God-wrestlers

September 30, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

In high school, two of my buddies, Vince and Eric wrestled for our school team. The first time I watched them compete I was grossed out (the lycra, the sweat, the sounds, oh my!) and awed at the same time.

These days, my favorite wrestler is my tough nephew Ryan, he leaves it all on the mat.

This sport oozes strength, courage, and intensity.

Guess what? I wrestle too. Oh, not the team-lycra kind, my matches are spiritual. And you? I bet you are a wrestler too.

The champion God-wrestlers  I know cleave  to a deep, daring faith. These are the ones who have grappled with God after the loss of a child, or who overcame addiction or abuse. They experienced  betrayal, trauma and much more. Some held their fist to God and cursed Him. Others scorned or blamed Him. Yet eventually, they all wrestled, and He blessed them for it.

I shared dinner with one of these champions the other night. We always exit our time together with red eyes and mascara on our cheeks. She and her kids’ story is a made-for-TV-movie kind of saga.  We spoke of going to the mat with God. I said, “The anguish over my boys is where my deepest wrestling happens. Seeing them get their hearts smashed leaves me broken and questioning.” She agreed, she and her children are shattered by their nightmare. We cried in our soup.

There is a strange passage of scripture found in Genesis 32:22-32, where a man named Jacob wrestled with God   (some say an angel of God). You may know the story, even so, I urge you to read it.

Jacob was a cunning and impetuous  dude. His life, a never-ending struggle in one way or another. We find Jacob in a place called Penial, exhausted and at the end of himself, drowning in pain and fear.

This entire section of scripture draws me in.  But it is the last part of verse 29 that grips me.

Continue Reading

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

The Opposite of Romans 6:13

September 14, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

Give yourselves to God…

surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purpose.

Romans 6:13 TEV

The day was toast. I was toast. In an almost vegetative state, lounged across my bed with phone in hand, I scrolled through Instagram. I barely registered my son’s voice as it echoed in my ear. How long had he been sitting there? I sat up as it dawned on me that Micah had walked into my room earlier, and talked to me the entire time.  As if not noticing him wasn’t bad enough, I had actually responded to him as I scrolled (“uh huh”, “really”, “wow”, “that’s funny”). I stopped my multi-tasking and stared at my child.

Now, this boy has an advanced degree in the spoken word, and he’s only 14. Micah thinks verbally and needs to dump about 100,000 words per day. In the summertime, without his classmates around, I am usually the “dumpee” for the much of those words. Just sayin’. Still, pretending to listen and focusing elsewhere is the opposite of the way I want to mother him.

Anyway, as conviction bubbled in me, I apologized to this great kid of mine and he forgave me. Then, without missing a beat, continued his story.

I confess this is not an isolated occurrence, neither are the many “unrighteous” actions or choices I make. That is why the verse above, Romans 6:13, is a surrender scripture I memorized this year, my year of Surrender.

The Lord continues to show me areas where I have not yielded my “whole being to Him“. I want to “be used for righteous purpose“. In whatever big or small ways the Lord may lead.

There are days when my life, my brain, or my actions look the opposite of Romans 6:13: my whole being is sure not surrendered to Him and I ain’t being used for a righteous purpose.

Besides ignoring my kid, lately, I have struggled with anxiety. My mind and stomach bubbling with “what ifs” and “how is this going to work?”. This summer, I exhausted heaps of emotional energy trying to figure out “how it was going to work” with my dad’s health and healthcare needs. I also worried about one of my sons, asking myself “what if?” repeatedly. After I relinquished these heavy loads at God’s feet, I would sneak back in and haul them out again.

My friends, this verse from Romans whispers to my heart. I crave the freedom my Savior gives. I dislike the burden of worry I sometimes carry. So, why do I do the opposite of what I want to do?Continue Reading

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

About Me

My prayer is that this place and the words written here will bring you a measure of encouragement, friendship and desire to live out your life with PURPOSE. more about me

Subscribe to Blog and Updates

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Instagram

Celebrating another year of my dad’s life! 🎂 #grateful
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Celebrating another year of my dad’s life! 🎂 #grateful
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/16
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!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
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!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/16
Happy (belated) birthday, dear Tangee! #dolls
Happy (belated) birthday, dear Tangee! #dolls
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy (belated) birthday, dear Tangee! #dolls
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/16
I had a bit of fun in Dallas! #ccc23
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
I had a bit of fun in Dallas! #ccc23
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/16
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.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
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.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/16
“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!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
“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!
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/16
Sweet reunion at the Reunion Kitchen!  Lovely friends from our newlywed days. 💕 So much fun reminiscing and catching up.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Sweet reunion at the Reunion Kitchen! Lovely friends from our newlywed days. 💕 So much fun reminiscing and catching up.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/16
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.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
These are the good old days.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/16
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Yay, Micah Jack! 🎓
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/16
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away. #graduationday🎓
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away. #graduationday🎓
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/16
Sister time!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Sister time!
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
11/16
Fun time celebrating our two grads on Sunday! They sure are loved. ♥️
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Fun time celebrating our two grads on Sunday! They sure are loved. ♥️
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
12/16
Last day of high school. #thelasts #3daysuntilgraduation
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Last day of high school. #thelasts #3daysuntilgraduation
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
13/16
This guy… #oneweekuntilgraduation #seniorawardsnight
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
This guy… #oneweekuntilgraduation #seniorawardsnight
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
14/16
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
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
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
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
15/16
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.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
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.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
16/16
View on Instagram

Categories

  • 4 For You
  • Advent
  • Blog Series
  • Books
  • Can We Talk About?
  • Christmas
  • Devotionals
  • Easter
  • FIGHT!
  • Friendship
  • Goals
  • Health
  • Lent
  • Light
  • More of God
  • Mother's Day
  • New Year
  • Parenting
  • Planning
  • Prayer
  • Repost
  • Scripture
  • Seasons
  • Summer
  • Surrender
  • Thanksgiving
  • The Practice of Gratitiude
  • Uncategorized
  • Wisdom

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • June 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014

From the Blog

  • Make the Most of Your Time
  • Summer of Praise
  • Four Favorites for Summer
  • The End of an Era
  • Four Favorites for June

Popular Tags

#annualbooksblog Advent Books Christmas Christmas Season Comfort Courage Darkness discouragement Easter Faith FIGHT Four for You Friendship Giving Grace grateful Gratefulness gratitude Headlines Hope Hope series Intentionality Jesus Journaling Lent Light Lingering More of God New Year Parenting Praise Prayer Pslams Purpose Reading summer Surrender thankful Thanksgiving The Cross The Practice of Gratitude to-do's trials wisdom

Find it Here

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Saatzer