Devotionals Archives - Kristin Saatzer

Begin with Him

June 23, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

Take good counsel and accept correction—
that’s the way to live wisely and well.
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans,
but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 19:20-21 The Message (MSG)

“Wake up, Mama… Barney, Mama.”

He stood next to my bed, blanket in tow, his breath warm and sweet on my cheek; yet another 5 AM wake up from boy number three. My toddler was committed to interrupting my sleep and my morning time with God.

Josiah and I crept down the hallway into the kitchen and grabbed his filled sippy cup from the fridge. Then, we switched on the TV to Barney the Dinosaur as he plopped onto my lap, cup in hand. Lastly, I reached for my bible and study books. Thus, began our morning.

It was not ideal, yet, this was our routine many a day before the rooster crowed. I am not exaggerating when I say that time in God’s word and in prayer was vital to my survival in those days. It was as if I was hooked to a God-IV as His wisdom and counsel dripped into my veins before all my wild ones woke up and chaos ensued.

If it didn’t happen first thing, it didn’t happen.

Those were the days filled with cuddles and kisses and little boy cuteness. Blocks, books, and LEGOS filled our time. As well as sibling conflicts and mom exhaustion.Continue Reading

Those Who Are Wise

May 11, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 7 Comments

Are you tired of hearing, “This is the new normal”? Me too. I want the old normal back… or do I?

I mean the notion of toilet paper and soap in my store again is terrific, and how about going back to church? Amen to that! But can the new dance of our lives move to a wiser beat? I pray so.

When I chose wisdom as my word of the year, of course, I knew nothing of the coming pandemic. How could any of us know when the calendar turned to the fresh year and decade, that our world, our country, our towns, and much of our lives would shut down? That people we know (or we) would fall ill from this menace and loved ones would pass from its force.

Therefore, my quest for wisdom intensified while I looked for meaning as I’ve stepped into each abnormal day since March of 2020.

I jotted down some ponderings for us as we embark on the journey in the altered world. Join me here, feel free to write down your thoughts.

What do you miss?

Stuff? Probably not.

A few weeks ago, my pal, Kimberly, and I traded texts about the fallout in each of our lives from COVID. She asked the question, “What do you miss the most?” I replied with a sort of top-five list and then asked her the same question. Later, I realized that in our musings, neither answered with material missings. It was all about people.

What are your top five?

What will you leave?

Somethings from the lockdown are best left behind – like gray roots and pajamas until 4:00 PM among them.

So, I examine myself and considered what no longer serves me, what has never served me. In the fire of the first weeks, fear’s shackles often grasped me as the what-ifs slithered through my anxious brain.

How I wish I could bury fear in a hole along with the virus. Yet, God’s strong hand guides me as we defeat this fear-foe step by step.

Is there a spiritual struggle or character defect you long to throw in the Corona trash bin? Talk to God about it, seek help, and begin to lay it down to leave behind.

What growth do you see in yourself due to this time of refining? Continue Reading

The Wisdom of Lament

April 27, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?
Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 6:3-4

I hurt for the seniors- high school and college, those dear ones whose glittering once-in-a-lifetime moments have been snatched. And for their loved ones who won’t stand in the bleachers, tears flowing, as they clap with pride.

I confess, I too am heartbroken. Last Friday was to be my Noah’s college graduation day but COVID-19 stole it from him. From me too.

LAMENT’, verb intransitive
1. To mourn; to grieve; to weep or wail; to express sorrow.

Websters 1828 Online Dictionary

Let. It. Out.

Lament is an antiquated word; we don’t hear it much outside of a Biblical context and it is not the same as a complaint or a pity party. It’s a letting it out to God kinda thing. You’ll find loads of lamenting in the Bible, in fact, there’s an entire book called Lamentations, and the Psalms flow with its songs. All the major Bible characters (including Jesus) uttered lamentation prayers. Even God, the creator of the world, expressed grief over what His creation had come to (Genesis 6:6).

I have heard it said that God’s Word is “the record of human sorrows”. King David not only expelled his sorrows on record but beyond that, his utterances can be an example to us today in the time of COVID-19.

So many have lost so much to this enemy.

There is wisdom in lament. When we acknowledge our grief, loss, and disappointment as David did, healing comes (or at least, it can begin). I find when I don’t acknowledge my pain, my emotions balloon inside me and escape in surprising ways, like when tears fall over something as seemingly silly as a Bass Pro Shop’s commercial. Or a spark of annoyance flies at an innocent four-legged bystander.

Feel the Feels

March 19, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Last Thursday, after the word came that my job is no more (for now), I lazed on the couch in my pj’s, remote in hand, and watched the news. Melancholy took over. It was a blue day for America and our family. A day of loss. As my kids called in with their reports of school and sports shutdowns, job losses, no graduations, etc., fear knocked on the door to join the disappointment. A full cocktail of emotions.

Yes, I know that we are fortunate. We are healthy and my husband is still employed, and I get to hang with my kids, a lot. We have a roof overhead and a safe place to lay our heads. But the gloom and surrealness of Thursday took its toll and I let myself feel the feels.

I imagine you are feeling them too and that is okay.

Yesterday, a friend confided that she is experiencing persistent panic attacks. She’s not alone. The bad news is relentless with daily death counts and stats of the sick. People are frightened in mass; we see this illuminated by the hoarding of toilet paper. Fear is the ruling force in our culture.

And there’s the time thing- It seems there was never enough and now I have plenty. It’s odd how it shifted so significantly in one day. As I move into this new normal, I want to make the most of this “gift” of quarantine.

Although I am still bummed (and letting myself be so), I sense a shift in my soul as I push past the malaise and grab my Savior’s hand. In almost every trial of my adult life, I’ve turned to Him (although sometimes stiff-necked), and that ain’t going to change now. God is the stability of my life. When I open the Bible, wisdom springs up via the Lord’s counsel and with courage-laced words. Therefore, I must soak up God’s truths as I entrust this weird period in our world and my own life to Jesus and ask Him to infuse my heart with help. With courage.

And with compassion toward those who hurt. Those who are afraid. Even the toilet paper-hoarders.

I want to make the most of my time by being a praying friend. If you are feeling the feels, too, I want to be here for you. Even when the gloom and unease slide back in or when I’m hiding from my family in my closet, I can pray.

So, friend, please let me pray for you in this season of instability. You can leave your request in the comments or send me a private message.

We will get through this. We will. Let’s give ourselves and one another permission to feel the feels and then hold on tight to Jesus, the stability of our times.

May God bless and keep you; may He fill you with courage and peace.

Begin with Him