Do You Have What You Don’t Want or Want What You Don’t Have?

October 23, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 'Philippians 3: 8-9

“Suffering is having what you don’t want or wanting what you don’t have.” Years ago I heard a message by the well-known author and speaker Elisabeth Elliot and that was her definition of suffering. And, as she said in the message, that covers just about everyone. At the time I heard that message, my husband and I were living in the basement of my parents’ home with two toddlers and all I wanted was a home of my own. I definitely had what I didn’t want and wanted what I didn’t have! That definition of suffering described me. Maybe it describes you right now.

This has been a season of great loss for all of us. Lost jobs, lost freedoms, lost security, lost loved ones. So much losing. Loss brings grief. Loss brings uncertainty. Loss brings questions — a lot of questions. So many things that we don’t want. So many things that we no longer have. But, what if those losses cause you and I to reevaluate what we consider important?

If you have lost a loved one, I am so sorry. That loved one was a treasure to you and that treasure cannot be replaced. I guess what I am attempting to say is that in the midst of all the loss and all the questions there may be a treasure that we can gain.

Let’s be honest right off. Life is hard. Okay, I’ve said it. No matter what “happily ever after” was fixed in our minds, the truth is that life doesn’t work that way. Each person’s journey is filled with hairpin curves, potholes, roadblocks and standstills. No matter what we expected, what we experience is totally different. So, how do we adapt to the losses we didn't anticipate? And what would I be willing to actually set aside for the sake of gaining a greater treasure?

Is Your Dream Worthless Or Worth Everything?

October 16, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

'Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ' Philippians 3:8

Remember those dreams you had when you were a kid? What did you dream of doing and being? Maybe you dreamed of a perfect marriage and saw yourself riding off on a white horse behind Prince Charming so that you could raise your perfect little princes and princesses. Maybe you saw yourself as CEO of a company leading others to success. Whatever your dreams were, I’ll be those things seem a little silly right now. Our young minds did not have enough experience to envision dreams grounded in reality, right?

When I was a high school student, drama was my dream. I loved the theater and everything about it. I bought books about acting and delighted in trips to Broadway. I couldn’t wait to watch the Tony Awards or Oscars on TV, and imagined what I might say if I had the opportunity to receive one of those coveted trophies. I followed my dream of drama as a theater major in college, but college is also where I made my commitment to Christ. By the time I graduated from college, the idea of moving to New York City to try to make it big on Broadway had lost it’s appeal. I thought about the compromises to my new faith that I might be tempted to make just to get ahead. The dream had lost it’s luster.

What happened? What had been worth all the time, effort and energy of my teenage years lost its value when compared with the treasure I had found in Christ. What about you, Dear Friend? What dreams have you left behind for the sake of Christ? Are there any you are still holding onto? Maybe it’s time to remember and to reevaluate.

Am I Enough?

October 9, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

100 percent!!! Did you ever get a 100 on a test? What a good feeling that is! Right?! I remember a time in the fourth grade when I was the only person in our class that got a 100 on a Spanish quiz. And the teacher made sure to tell everyone, too! I remember how special I felt. It was like I had proved that I was worth paying attention to. I felt like I had achieved something. So much more than a test grade. I felt like I had proved that I had a right to exist.

That moment became a motivating factor for my future life. It unconsciously became my goal to always get good grades after that. I don’t think grades really mattered to me until that moment. But why did it become so important? I think that God created me with a desire toward excellence, but that moment felt like I was set apart and valued in a way that I hadn’t been before. I wanted to prove my worth, so I wanted good grades. I wanted to feel valued all the time. Don’t you?

I think we all crave affirmation in some way. We want someone to say, “Good job!” It makes us feel appreciated and like our efforts were worthwhile. But there is a trap in affirmation. We can become addicted to approval and work hard for the purpose of receiving it. We want to feel that we are good enough, approved, valued.

Is that what God wants for you and me? Does He want us to work hard for Him so that we can be valued and approved by Him and others? What really matters?

Am I Good Enough For God?

October 2, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Would someone call you a hard worker? Who is the hardest worker you know? I have seen my dad work hard my whole life, and that is just at home! He is always working on projects around our house. It’s taken some effort for him to learn to stop and rest. I learned a lot from my Dad just by observing. I appreciate his example.

Being a hard-worker is highly valued in many cultures, and certainly in American culture. Being referred to as a hard worker is considered a high compliment in the workforce. Hard work is valued and praised. Rest is not. People don’t cheer you on when you stop and rest. “Keep pressing forward and reach your goals!”

It is easy to transfer that idea to God’s kingdom as well. In the church, we often praise those who are there whenever the doors open or honor the person who serves in multiple areas or allow families to spread themselves thinly and take away from family time by planning events every night of the week. Why? Jesus said that He would give rest to those who come to Him. (Matthew 11:28) Is this trusting in what Christ has done for us or giving ourselves stuff to do to make us feel more valuable?

Dear Friend, have you been working hard for God, but feel like your efforts have fallen short? Do you feel like you need to do more? Do you question if you are good enough for God?

The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus did all that was necessary to make you and me good enough for God. We don’t have to work hard to prove our worth to Him. We don’t have to rely on our own efforts to be valuable to Him. All you and I have to do is to rely on what He has done, but how?

Rejoice…Whatever?!

September 25, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all have those moments. Something unexpected happens. The basement floods. An unexpected expense turns the budget upside down. A family member is suddenly hospitalized. A steady job becomes unsteady. Those are moments that instantly rock our world. We feel off-kilter, shaken, unsure of what to do and how to respond. It is easy to let emotions rule. Fear and anxiety can cloud our faith. So, what can we do? If I turn my eyes toward the problem and look away from Christ, I can get discouraged, disappointed, even angry at God. That’s not what I want! What about you?

In Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi he says this, “Whatever happens…rejoice in the Lord...” (Phil. 3:1) “Whateverhappens…” Isn’t that a phrase that about covers it? Whatever happens...when a relationship is strained, when a job ends, when a loved one dies, when a child goes astray, when enverthing seems to be going perfectly....whatever happens. Paul encourages his friends to rejoice in the Lord “whatever happens.” What’s happening in your life right now? Can you rejoice “whatever happens?” What does that look like anyway?

How To Be A Person of Honor: Epaphroditus

September 18, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Welcome him [Epaphroditus] in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:29-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are there any people in your life that you can point to and say, “i want to be like that!” Someone that you can confidently lift up as an example? Someone you would describe as a person of honor?

I am grateful to say that I know quite a few. As I think about that question, there are faces that I see in my mind’s eye. I see their smiles. I hear their voices in my head. Some have passed away, but others are still living. As my memory recaptures that person, I remember their character more than any one task they have accomplished. They exemplify honor in their speech, in their attitudes, in their actions. Sometimes it can be hard to quantify what makes a person of honor. You just know this is someone worth emulating.

In Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi he describes someone who can definitely be lifted up as a person of honor, but because Paul only spends a few sentences on him it can be easy to miss the importance of his example. Who am I referring to? Epaphroditus.

I’ll be that is one of those names you just skip over when you are reading! But don’t skip over him! Paul says that people like him should be welcomed and honored. Why? What makes Epaphroditus an example worth following? How can you and I follow his example?

Am I Completely Committed?

September 11, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:19-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Who do you know that you could trust with absolutely anything? Do you have someone in your life that you know has the same heart and perspective on the important things in life? Someone you would trust to carry out your last wishes on earth? How many of us have someone like that? The apostle Paul did. He had Timothy.

The last preserved letter that Paul wrote before he was martyred was the Second Letter to Timothy. Timothy was Paul’s most trusted partner in ministry. In fact, Timothy’s name is right beside Paul’s in a number of places in the Bible. They worked closely together, but in Philippians Paul gives us a window into just how close they were. He describes Timothy as a “a son with his father” and says he has “no one else like him.” I sure would like someone to say about me what Paul said about Timothy! What made Timothy someone Paul trusted so implicitly and what makes him a good example for you and me to follow?

To Mom and Dad - 60 Years And Going Strong!

September 4, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you are a regular reader of my posts, forgive me while i depart from my regular routine. Normally, I talk to you, but today I want to talk to someone else: My Mom and Dad. On September 2, 2021 my mom and dad celebrated 60 years of marriage! Unfortunately, like many people in the Northeast they spent the day cleaning up from the deluge deposited on us by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, but that doesn’t minimize the importance of the day. 60 years! Such an accomplishment deserves some extra attention, don’t you think? So, if you’ll indulge me for a few minutes, I want to talk to Mom and Dad, to thank them for their example and share a few things I’ve learned from them. Maybe you’ll learn a few things, too.

Mom and Dad, as I often have said, I have the unique privilege of having celebrated every single one of your anniversaries with you. Being born one week before your very first anniversary makes me an anniversary gift, right? Of course, I don’t remember much about the early years, but I know I was there! Now that Tom and I are getting ready to celebrate 35 years of marriage, there are some observations I can make about your achievement. One thing I know after 35 years of experience is that you don’t get to 60 years of marriage without some bumps in the road. You don’t make it to 60 years without some moments when quitting seems like the best solution. You don’t feel close every moment for 60 years. So what has made the difference? How did you make it to 60 years and what can other married couples learn from you? Actually, what can anyone learn from you about how to make a relationship last?

Why Or What?

August 28, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I'm not usually one to panic. I'm usually the steady one, but not in the story I am about tell you! How do you handle a season of unknowing? Do you scramble to figure out what is happening? I often feel like if I can understand why something is happening, then I can be at peace, but that is not always possible and it wasn’t possible in this instance. Maybe you have a had a similar experience.

Tom and I were on a cruise to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary. I know, a cruise sounds luxurious, but this was the first time we had ever experienced seas so rough that it was sometimes frightening. Not only that, the motion was making Tom feel so sick that much of the time all he was up to doing was lying in our cabin to rest or watch movies. This morning Tom was hoping to feel better so we decided to leave the cabin for a while and let the steward attend to it. I had to finish something, so Tom went ahead of me up to the relatively quiet lounge with a panoramic ocean view where we expected to find a place to read for a while. When I went up to the lounge a few minutes later, I couldn't find him.

He Sees It All!

August 21, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

There’s been a lot going on in my life this week. Yours, too! It’s good to know that God sees it all, that He is present with us in the midst of everything. No detail of my life or yours escapes Him.

So, because my brain space is limited to come up with words of encouragement this week, I am going to give you some words of encouragement from the Scripture.

Be blessed, Dear Friend!

Psalm 139
(The Message version)

“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking..You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence.

September 12, 2026

This is Not Forever

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT

As I tearfully opened the sodden boxes of our stored belongings, wondering what was ruined, a verse came to mind,

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

We were temporarily living with my parents, and our stuff was stored in Tom’s parents' garage. They had a plumbing issue in their bathroom above the garage, causing a leak that soaked several of our boxes and other items, including our mattress. We weren’t sure what was salvageable.

That period of time was already difficult. We were waiting for a job to open up and unsure how long that would take, how long we would be living with my parents, how long our stuff would be stored. Both sets of parents had been patient, loving, and gracious. There was no one to blame for the water damage. Sometimes things just happen.

But when that verse popped into my brain, it completely changed my perspective on going through the damage. The tears didn’t stop. There was some mourning and disappointment. But at the same time, there was hope. This was temporary. These things were just things. What really mattered was how I responded. I could choose an eternal perspective. I could choose to treasure Christ more than an earthly possession.

As it turned out, very few of our things were unsalvageable, and insurance more than covered anything that was lost. But the eternal perspective I gained is a treasure that I still carry. That simple shift helped me through the three and a half years of living in the in-between.