Headlines Archives - Kristin Saatzer

Thanks-living

November 20, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer 6 Comments

“The one who offers thanksgiving as His sacrifice glorifies me.”

Psalm 50:23b ESV

November has not been kind to California. We lament as stories of suffering and death and horror continue to assault us. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy!

As we roll into Thanksgiving we see “Give Thanks” signs in stores and homes. We scroll through Facebook and read posts of gratefulness. However, for some, coming up with a blessing is like finding a black cat on a moonless night. Seemingly impossible. Too much pain in the heart to search for good. Where does one begin after losing a child in a shooting or losing a home or an entire town to a fire?

A friend of mine who lost her child, once shared with me that she found it took too much effort in her grief-crippled state to come up with something she could be thankful for. She said it was a sacrifice to try to do so.Continue Reading

Higher Thoughts. Higher Ways.

February 19, 2018 By Kristin Saatzer 9 Comments

I went to an unforgettable memorial service last Saturday. Hunter was a remarkable young man. Only 18.

A few weeks ago, I took part in a life-celebration for a Wonder-Woman mom of 4 and wife named Heather. Cancer took her.

One of my kids is dealing with deep, unfair, and sorrowful situations. My heart breaks for his.

2018 has been heavy for our family in many ways. Sad. Confusing.

2018 also has ushered in rich times with visiting family and friends. A sweet, surprise engagement. Lots of sunshine.

Isn’t that just like life?

Bitter and sweet walking side by side.

My word this year is surrender. However, the surrender walk doesn’t look like I thought it would when I started in January.

Isn’t that just like God?

I surrender each day to God in prayer. I yield my time, money, relationships, health, etc. Yes, a worthwhile pledge (even when I snatch things back). Yet, due to the heaviness of this past month, question marks drift around in my prayer times, right next to the surrenders.

Then, news this week of the school shooting in Florida. The question marks spin as I cry and pray for the families and community.

I chose this verse from Isaiah 55 to write about today because I keep ending up here. On this verse, I repeatedly ruminate. God tells us His thoughts are not our thoughts. And, His ways are not our ways. Ok. Theoretically, I get it. But I don’t want it. I want my ways to become His ways.

If my ways were His ways, then Hunter’s mom would be hugging her son now. And Heather would be making Snicker Pie for her family. And my son wouldn’t have this massive sandbag on his shoulders. And the shooter would have been stopped. Loved. Changed. Seen.

The Message version of Isaiah 55:8 says:

“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

Is this verse telling us that God orchestrated these terrible events and/or is not grieving with the hurting? Not at all. There are hundreds of scriptures which speak of His profound love and comfort.

Yet, I still find Him confusing. I tell Him so. Thus, I find the end of my questions: He is not a God I can put in a box or understand.

In giving over my time, health, and money, etc. each morning, I am making strides towards accepting His thoughts and His ways. Still, surrender is a painful, long process. It is a wrestling. And… I sure am wrestling. The end game for me is that I may give myself completely to the certainty that God is God. God is Holy. God is sovereign. He is infinitely more. Continue Reading

Harvey, Irma, Earthquakes, and Fires… 5 Points to Ponder

September 12, 2017 By Kristin Saatzer 1 Comment

Normalcy decimated.

I attempt to empathize with the victims of these recent disasters. However, I can’t get my proverbial feet into their shoes.

Yet I try. And I pray.

Each day my family overflows with gratefulness as we compare our lot to “theirs”. It is unfair: our dry home, family pictures intact, beds, food, school work, dishes, laundry, traffic. Ordinary.

Why God? Why?

In our pre-heaven life, will we fully understand why God allows affliction? Probably not. What I do know is He tells us we will experience trials and loss (see John 16:33). He also tells us there is great gain in knowing and trusting Him in these times. “...The testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2

Millions in our country (and beyond) are experiencing nature’s worst. As I have prayed over people affected, I have reflected. May I share my thoughts with you today? I think you’ll find encouragement.Continue Reading

I So Proud!

October 17, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

When my son, Josiah, was three, he would often say, “I so proud” after catching one of us doing something “good”. I can still hear his raspy voice sputtering those words. Sweet words. Sweet boy.

“I’m proud of you” is a blessing given to many in the world of kid-dome. Josiah heard this expression and felt encouraged by it, and passed it on. Children often hear these words spoken by parents, teachers, and coaches; honey to their little souls. However, as they grow into adulthood, this affirmation is given less and less.

There are many people in my life of whom I’m proud. Not just my kids.

I watched my mom and step-dad move from state to state to care for my grandparents in their last years. What a touching act of love this was. I am watching my dad and aunt care for my grandmother in her nineties. My aunt handling the day-to-day responsibilities and difficulties; my dad traveling from SD to Phoenix to manage the finances. I am proud of all of them and affected by their example.

I see moms making tough, mature decisions about their kids. I see them sacrifice to the point of heroics. I admire friends going back to school, trying new careers, or staying in hard jobs to pay the bills. I view loved ones doing scary-brave things. People in my world are righting wrongs and fighting injustice. Some caring for ill parents and ill children, others in counseling and recovery. What admiration I have for them.

This is not the self-pride the Bible warns us of.

This is other-pride.

I am well pleased with you pride.

We find examples in God’s word:

~God refers to David as “A man after God’s own heart”. David strove to be who God wanted him to be in the midst of his humanity and sin. See 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22

~In the Parable of the Talents the master tells his servant, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” See Mathew 25:23

~In Mark 14:9 we see the disciples and others mocking a woman for bringing expensive oil to anoint Jesus. Jesus rebuked them saying, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me… She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial. And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly.” The Message

~God is proud of His only begotten son. He says so in Matthew 3:17, “This is my son in whom I’m well pleased!”

Our culture today seems consumed with negativity and the tearing down of others. I see the name calling and threats to “unfriend” on social media because of political and religious differences. And the news! Watching the news is depressing enough, but in election season, it is downright dismal. The finger-pointing and mudslinging drive me to eat a lot of chocolate.

So, how do we abate this yuck? As we take our focus off the news (and chocolate), we find many precious ones in need of encouragement. People in our world desperate for sweet, uplifting words. A friend or family member who hasn’t heard “I’m proud of you!” for a long time.

Is it your heart’s desire to follow God instead of cultural negativity? To be a woman or man after God’s own heart? Truly, this is my desire. Other-pride is a great place to jump in. We can make a positive difference in a negative world by pouring kind words into our people. Honey to the soul.