Katrina's Thoughts...

Living the EASY Life...
Posted by Katrina on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 2:26pm
While flipping through the pages of a book (I plan to read). I came across three words that seemed to jump off of the pages while screaming in my ear – “Stay the course!” What a powerful reminder in the middle of a challenge when the EASIEST thing to do would be to draw back, step away, or go in another direction. Yes, that would be EASY. But who in the world told us to go after EASY? Fictitious “EASY” button or not, there are very few EASY paths as we journey on and toward purpose. But…what IF life really was EASY? Would EASY afford us the opportunities to learn the lessons that are provided to us courtesy of God? Would EASY help us gain the character we need to sustain us in the plan He has for our lives? Would EASY teach us how to stand under pressure – after when have done all we know to do to stand? Would EASY keep us grounded in our truth while our reality is relentlessly staring us in the face with a determination to defeat us? Would EASY counteract our flesh when we are called upon and commanded to love when the alternative would be to turn away with an indignant “whatever” deep down in our soul? Would EASY really get us to the next place, the next level, the next position…In HIM? W.W.E.D. (What Would Easy Do?) – It would keep us from growing the spiritual muscles that provide strength when the challenges are great. It would prohibit our entrance into doors only reserved for the ones mature enough to walk in. It would cause us to compromise in order to go along with… instead of stand in spite of... It would allow us to settle for something so far beneath our potential that living our purpose becomes a fantasy. Yeah, EASY has its place in life…but it’s not always the way of life. IF the journey was supposed to be EASY…we wouldn’t have needed a glimpse of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42-44). Staying the course! Katrina Spigner © 2012
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The "REAL" 12-Step Program
Posted by Katrina on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 12:08am
My name is, Katrina Spigner and I am a “recovered” addict from the need to please others. Yes, that’s right. I am not ashamed to admit it. For a very long time, I lived my life driven by what I call, “The Power of They”… “What do ‘they” think?” What will ‘they’ say?” “How will ‘they’ respond?” Like any addiction, this vice had me in its grip. Void of an authentic personal identity, I was a pathetic semblance of what I believed would be most acceptable to others (Others being the people that loved me AND the people that didn’t love me, like me, or even come close). Yet, here I was – strung out – habitually; compulsively involved in a behavior that was keeping me from a life of sobriety. While often overdosing on the façade of public applause, I was still strategizing a plan for my next high. Binging, spiraling, railing out of control in the death-grip of a disease to please – one that was killing me softly – a silent killer of sorts, I yielded. Ignorant of my desperate need for intervention, I sought none. So, I remained in this toxic state of existence – oppressed by a power that constantly lurked in the recesses of my mind. NEVERTHELESS, God had ordained a very different purpose for my existence. Through a mind-boggling turn of events, He brought me face-to-face with His truth regarding His love for me. Through a very personal intervention with Him, He snatched me out of the pit with the Strong Arm of His grace and sealed the freedom I have in Him in the depths of my soul. Just like with any addiction, the temptation lingered around waiting for a moment of vulnerability. However, God’s intervention came with a 12-Step Program that has and continues to keep me fully recovered even when the challenge is great. The 12-Step Program (Romans 8:31-39 The Message) 1. “So, what do you think? 2. With God on our side like this, how can we lose? 3. If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? 4. And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? 5. Who would dare even to point a finger? 6. The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. 7. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? 8. There is no way! 9. Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 10. They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. 11. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. 12. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” My name is, Katrina Spigner and I am a “recovered” addict from the need to please others. Katrina Spigner © 2011
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The Power of "Being"
Posted by Katrina on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 4:19pm
My grandson, Jeremiah was born on August 29, 2011. In less than four months, this little person has found a place in my heart that I didn’t even know existed until he showed up. His presence has made me aware of a capacity to love beyond what I knew I had. Each time I encounter him, it seems I grow to love him more and more. He has secured a place in my life from now until… While Jeremiah can’t speak yet, or walk yet, or do much of anything, I have witnessed his tremendous Power – not in what he knows how to DO, but rather his instinctive ability to just know how to BE. A lesson from Jeremiah… There is Power in BEING! Too often we allow our Doing to get in the way of our Being. We busy ourselves with the cares of this world, not pausing long enough to recognize the state or quality of our existence. Instead, our lives become performance-driven with an emphasis on playing to audiences that are not even related to our destiny. How much can we get done? How much can we accomplish? The answers to these questions become the formula by which we measure our success. But the greater question is… “Who are we beyond what we Do?” Who, not What, is our definition? My lessons in Being have been life-changing. Being, alleviates my self-imposed pressure to Do. Being, offers me the freedom to relinquish the need to take responsibility for the things in my life that I am not responsible for…the things that solely belong to God. Being, moves me out of His way and out of my own. Being, reminds me that there is already a plan in place for my life; I don’t have to manufacture one. Being, relaxes my need to be perfect and helps me embrace my imperfections – confident in His Grace. When I allow myself to just BE, I align my world with His for me. While Being, I can close my eyes, Hear His whispers, Taste His goodness, Touch His heart, Smell His aroma, and See His hand. Being, calms me, comforts me, and keeps me. Therefore, I can surrender my DOING to Him… All because of my BEING. After all, it is in Him that I Live, Move and Have it anyway… (Acts 17:28) Thank you Jeremiah for DOING absolutely nothing to earn my love – You have it because you simply know how to BE. And so it is with God…. © Katrina Spigner 2011 www.KatrinaNow.com
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I'm Reminded...
Posted by Katrina on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 12:34am
Today, I am reminding myself of the truths about who I AM. I am a woman, fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of this universe. I am His creation, sculpted in His image – a reflection of His likeness. I am His plan in action. I am His perfectly -imperfect daughter - an illustration of His Grace. I am flawed. I am scarred. I am bruised. I have pieces. And yet, in Him – I am whole. I am His intention – designed with promises attached. I am an embodiment of His goodness and mercy – encapsulated by His love. I am an ever-evolving book, written by Him, the author and finisher of my faith. I am held in His hands. I am complete in His Heart. I am covered in His embrace. I am never forgotten - I occupy space in His mind. I am His delight. I am safe in Him – therefore, I can place my realities at His feet. I am never without His presence – never alone on my journey. I am His ‘in spite of” I am His “because of” I am His “in the midst of” Though life brings with it many opportunities for me to forget… Today, I am reminding myself of the truths about who I AM. © Katrina Spigner 2011
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My Life...Spiritually Speaking.
Posted by Katrina on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 9:49pm
In nine days I will celebrate another birthday. This time of year, I always find myself in a more reflective mindset. I think back over my years here on earth. How has my life mattered? What have I learned? What have I still yet to accomplish? As I reflect, I also find that I have become more spiritually aware…No, not more Religious…more Spiritual. There was a time when I thought the two, Religious & Spiritual, were one in the same. However, as a result of my life’s journey, I have come to understand that there is an extreme difference – “Religious” referring to a belief in God and “Spiritual” referring to relating to God. I have believed in God for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can’t recall a time when I didn’t believe in God. However, my life in relating to God has evolved. It has grown over the years, over the months, over the weeks, over the days…while leaving room for moment-by-moment interaction with Him. Relating to Him is the essence of my connection with the Source of my life. Relating to Him brings me into sweet communion with the One who desires my presence more than anyone else. Relating to Him causes me to want more, see more, do more and be…MORE. Relating to Him silences the noise of the external, while showing me just how little it matters in comparison to His plan and His purpose for me. His plan, the one that I will only realize as I relate to Him. His purpose, the one that while relating to Him, unfolds right before my very eyes. In the midst of storms, trials, situations, circumstances, issues…whatever we call the adverse happenings of life, relating to Him positions me to ask, “God. Where are you?” And, relating to Him allows me to hear Him when He answers…. “I AM… right here.” My Life…Spiritually Speaking. © Katrina Spigner 2011
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