Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

When you are posed with several options or courses of action, and all of them are good, how do you decide which one God wants you to choose? How do you determine God’s will?

I’ve been reading biographies of famous Christians, the children’s versions in story form. They are easy and fun to read, so engaging that you wouldn’t want to put it down. It only takes a few hours to read one.

Read more of “Seeking God’s will”

I recently heard this quote, something like, “I don’t have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one.” (Some have attributed this quote to Mark Twain, but I haven’t found the source. It sounds like something he would say, I suppose). I shall remember this when I write, and hope to get my writing more precise.

Another quote I like, one that I’ve heard before and was reminded of it recently, is by William Carrey, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” I shall remember this in my prayers this year, and see what happens.

My highlights for 2009:

Opportunities to speak and meet nice people

-I spoke at the Huntington Beach MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group of about 60 women. How nice to see so many young moms fellowshipping together. I can totally relate to all the questions they asked. For me to give them answers now is easy. It’s much easier said then done when you are in the middle of frustrations with your kids. I’ve been there, and am glad for the opportunity to give them some encouragement and perspective.

Read more of “2009 Highlights”

In a previous post I quoted Eric Lidel, the Olympic gold medalist – “God made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure.”

I like that quote.

Lidel says when he does what God gave him the ability to do, God is happy with that.

We may be good at something, but it doesn’t mean it would be easy. I am sure it wasn’t easy for Lidel to be a champion runner. He had to discipline himself, he had to train, he had to sweat. But he made full use of what God gave him, and God is pleased.

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about laziness. I used to wonder why God is so harsh on lazy people. Why can’t they take life easy? Why do they have to work so hard?

I think I now understand. If Eric Lidel was lazy, he would not be such a great runner. He would not have fulfilled God’s purpose for him to be a fast runner.

I feel I’ve been wasting time; I’ve been lazy. My new year resolution is to do whatever I’m good at to the fullest.

Whatever you are good at, do it to the fullest, and that will please God.

Growing up I did not celebrate Christmas with any great meaning. We were not a religious family; Christmas had no significance for us. We merely enjoyed 2 weeks off school and a few presents from relatives. My parents, pragmatic Chinese parents that they were, did not give us presents. (“We give you room and board, what more do you want?”) There were no meaningful traditions in our family that I can remember, which means any tradition we did have made no impact on me.

Read more of “Christmas and life stages”

Thanksgiving came too fast this year. I got my autumn decorations up a few days before Thanksgiving. Now only a week and a half later I had to take them down.

It’s also easy to let Christmas go by too quickly without taking the time to decorate the house. Is it worth the trouble? Why do we bother with untangling lights, taking out those old ornaments, and tired looking wreaths?

Read more of “Humbug?”