Wisdom Archives - Kristin Saatzer

The Light of Life

November 19, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Gloomy clouds dawned in the morning sky yet again. The Coronavirus closures coincided with weeks of rain and gray skies that are atypical for sunny Southern California where we pay the weather tax. The dreariness outside and relentless bad news on my screen merged with underlying anxiety, depression, and the loss of my in-person community. It all felt suffocating.

From the edge of my bed, I gazed out my window and prayed. As I asked Christ to lift the dismal, heavy weight off my chest and bolster me for another long day, a stunning beam of sunlight broke through the clouds. A fitting symbol of truth I had failed to remember – Jesus is the Light of the World and the light of my life. And through this Light of Life, I’ve been charged to shine for Him individually and in community.

In that morning moment, God shone a bright dose of bravery into my gloomy soul.

I wish I could say that after that experience, all was peachy for me. It was not. Yet, a shift took place in my spirit as I focused more on Christ’s light and less on the shadows of the world. I stopped marking each day’s end with an “x” in my journal. I sought out happy, good news stories. And with great intention, I reduced my intake of news and social media and increased my intake of God’s truth. I put this verse on my phone and stuck it near my bed and computer as a reminder: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT).

My bleak state brightened as 2020 carried on and I found wisdom as I focused on the Light of the World.

Eventually, the sun came out, but the black clouds of COVID stayed, as did the relentless torrent of bad news. And I deeply missed my friends.

One of the hardest parts of the pandemic (and my current health crisis) was and still is the absence of physically attending church. There is a hole in my week where there once was corporate prayer and worship. I’ve felt the loss of comradery, hugs, and screenless faces. We were created for community, weren’t we?

However, I remind myself that behind the monitors, the church is still The Church.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill” (Matthew 5:14 NASB). You and I belong to a body of believers whom God created to shine like one luminous flame on a moonless night. A city on a hill. In these historic days, we have an opportunity to radiate as one for Jesus as never before. I find myself hope-filled and compelled by these words of Jesus to join fellow Christ-followers as we shine collectively in person and through our screens.

And today, as the calendar continues to turn and the holiday season looms, I lift my face to the Light of Life when I am frozen by the fear that uncertainty brings.

Therefore, I am determined that in my little world, I will be a light bearer for my Savior. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). The holidays may look so different than normal for so many this year (my family included) and this scripture inspires me in my mission to shine and serve. As children of the King, we can reflect His radiant love to those He puts on our path. Hurting souls in desperate need of hope in an often lonely, difficult season.

As this strange, scary, arduous, and sometimes wonderful year closes in, I reflect on my journey with Jesus, the Light of Life. The One who shines through His Church, His beloved sons and daughters. I keep on returning to His light and wonder where would I be without Him? Without His word to lead me? Without His wisdom to guide me? My heart overflows with gratitude to the One who continues to rescue me in the dark morning moments, who guides me with bright courage, and leads me to shine for Him.

PC: Bradley Dunn

Too Much News?

September 1, 2020 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

^{So, you may have heard there is an election heading our way. Say what?! Yes, it is true. We get a presidential contest in a global pandemic, along with natural disasters and an inferno of civil unrest and outrage. This news, along with a torrent of other negative updates, surges incessantly from our screens.}^{A stream of heart-wrenching and hopeless accounts.}

^{Oftentimes, this stream feels like a swell of waves dragging me to the depths by a strong current. Then, as I dog-paddle to the top and gasp for breath, I am gripped by the tide and pushed down yet again.}

^{In my journey with Jesus in these COVID days, I’ve asked Him to reveal areas where I need to grow. Areas where I am not leaning on Him, where the stuff of the world is overwhelming me. He’s opened my eyes to the reality that I’ve feasted on too much news and social media (especially Facebook). Too much negativity, meanness, and doom.}

^{“Mindfulness not only makes it possible to survey our internal landscape with compassion and curiosity but can also actively steer us in the right direction for self-care.”}

^~ ^{Bessel A. van der Kolk}

^{In these momentous days of crashing waves, I am learning to step back with intention because the undercurrent that slogs my soul when I take in too much news ain’t filling me with peace. We were not made for this magnitude of negative intake. Our bodies keep an internal tally of our angst and can mess with us when we don’t think about what we’re thinking about.}

^{I love the book of James because it oozes with insight. In chapter three, James tells us that the wisdom from above is peaceful. And boy do I need wisdom from above in these times. How about you? It takes hard work and intention to care for our inner world. To seek peace. Yet, I believe the Lord is calling us to it.}

^{Consequently, I have begun to practice what I think of as a spiritual detachment. This detachment is a tool that frees me from having an unhealthy relationship with the news and toxic social media posts. It puts me in charge. I get to put up the boundaries. Each morning, I purposely pray and think about how much information and social media I will take in. Some days, I am more resilient. Others not so much. So, when I feel the waves of anxiety begin to jack me up – because I am listening to myself and my boundaries are in place – I can assess and unplug.}

^{Because the wisdom from above is peace, I then turn my eyes on God and the abundant hope that comes from His promises. It really is that simple. Not easy, but simple. Again, it is a practice.}

^{Dear friend, in this election season, gaze with me on the wisdom from above. And as we continue to paddle through these days of crazy, how about we choose the practice of spiritual detachment? Let’s be mindful of our internal world and turn down the hose of negativity while we turn up the hose of hope to full blast!}

But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any formand it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.

James 3:17, 18

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