peace in the storm

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
- Mark 4:39 (NIV)
 
Growing up in Iowa, tornadoes weren't uncommon. They were always scary, but somehow they always seemed to happen somewhere else. Even though we lived on the edge of what was known as "Tornado Alley," my family was never personally affected by one of those devastating storms.
Then we moved to Northwest Arkansas.
According to the National Weather Service, the path of the most frequent and destructive tornadoes has been shifting eastward. States like Arkansas are now seeing more severe weather than they once did, and unfortunately, we've experienced that firsthand. Over the years, we've had storms that caused considerable damage to our own property.
Last week, another tornado tore through San Antonio, Texas. As I watched the news and saw the images of the destruction, my heart immediately went to several dear friends who live there. Before I knew anything else, I found myself praying. Thankfully, they are all safe.
As relieved as I was, it reminded me of something important. No matter how advanced our weather radar becomes, no matter how many alerts come across our phones, no matter how prepared we are, we cannot control the forecast.
The same is true in life. We can't control a diagnosis, we can't prevent every hardship, we can't stop every storm that comes our way.
We can prepare. We can be wise. We can have a plan. But some storms will still arrive without our permission.
When Jesus and His disciples were caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were terrified. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep in the boat. After they woke Him, He simply spoke four words: "Quiet! Be still!" The wind stopped, the waves settled, and peace replaced panic.
I've often wished Jesus would calm every storm in my life that quickly. Sometimes He does, sometimes He calms the storm around us - other times, He calms the fear within us while the storm continues to rage. Either way, His presence is what makes the difference.
Whether we're watching the weather radar, waiting for a phone call from the doctor, or facing some other uncertainty we never saw coming, we can trust that the One who commands the wind and the waves is still in the boat with us.
And somehow... that gives me peace.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

let someone carry you

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
 
There are certain sounds you never want to hear while you're driving your vehicle: a squeal, a clunk; a grinding noise.
The worst part? Trying to explain that sound to a mechanic. Let's be honest, it's not always easy for a woman to describe a mysterious noise without feeling like she's being looked at as if she has two heads! I usually resort to making the sound myself... and somehow that never seems to help.
So, my primary method of transportation has been sitting at the mechanic's shop since last Wednesday.
Ugh.
One day I'm running my own errands, driving myself to work, and coming and going whenever I please. The next day I'm asking for rides, borrowing a vehicle, rearranging appointments, and depending on someone else. I don't like it.
I've worked hard these last several years to regain my self-sufficiency. After breaking my leg in 2019, enduring surgery, battling an infection, and nearly losing my life to pulmonary embolisms, simply getting back to where I could do things on my own again felt like a tremendous victory. My freedom wasn't something I took for granted anymore.
So having to rely on someone else—even for something as simple as getting to work—has been harder than I expected. Now, don't get me wrong. I truly enjoy the extra time I get to spend with my handsome husband as he chauffeurs me to and from work. Those extra conversations are a blessing I wouldn't have had otherwise.
But I still catch myself thinking, I hate feeling like I'm a burden. The truth is, I'm probably the only one thinking that. He's never complained. He's never made me feel guilty. He's simply adjusted his schedule because that's what people who love each other do.
Galatians 6:2 tells us to "Carry each other's burdens." We often picture that verse applying to life's biggest hardships—a serious illness, the loss of a loved one, or a financial crisis. But maybe it also applies to the everyday inconveniences. Maybe carrying someone's burden looks like driving them to work, picking up groceries, watching their kids for an afternoon, or simply being available when they're needed.
Here's the part God has been working on in me this week: sometimes being willing to accept help is just as important as being willing to give it.
Most of us don't mind helping others. In fact, we enjoy it. But when the tables are turned, we suddenly feel like we're inconveniencing everyone around us.
Maybe that's because we forget that allowing someone to help us gives them the opportunity to live out the very verse we're reading today.
One day my vehicle will be fixed, and I'll be back to driving myself wherever I need to go. Until then, maybe my lesson isn't about transportation at all.
Maybe it's about learning that sometimes God carries our burdens through the hands of the people who love us.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

a very present help

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
- Psalm 46:1(NIV)
 
Not every day is filled with joy. As much as we wish life could be one celebration after another, there are days when our phones ring with news we never wanted to hear.
Several years ago, a very dear friend was diagnosed with a horrible disease. By God's grace, through medications and treatment, my friend overcame it. We celebrated every victory, every good report, and every milestone that pointed toward healing.
Then came the news no one wanted to hear: the disease has returned.
I have to admit, I am overwhelmed with emotions. While I have every confidence that my friend will fight this battle with every treatment and every option available, there is a part of me that simply wishes I could make it all go away.
But I can't. I can't heal. I can't carry this burden for my friend. I can't change the diagnosis.
What I can do is pray. I can love. I can listen.  I can be there for whatever my friend needs.
Sometimes we feel like those things are too small, especially when we're facing something so overwhelming. We wish we had the right words, the right medicine, or the ability to fix what is broken. But maybe God never asked us to be the healer. Maybe He simply asks us to be faithful friends while He does what only He can do.
Psalm 46:1 reminds us, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Notice it doesn't say God is present only after the storm has passed. He is present in the trouble. He walks beside us through every appointment, every difficult conversation, every anxious night, and every uncertain tomorrow.
Today, my prayer is simple. I pray for complete healing for my friend. I pray for wisdom for the doctors, peace for the family, strength for the journey ahead, and countless reminders that God has not left their side for even a moment.
And if you are carrying someone on your heart today, know this: your prayers matter. Your presence matters. Your love matters. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply refusing to let someone walk through the valley alone.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

every good gift

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
- James 1:17 (NIV)
 
It's Monday, so let's grab our coffee and get ready to face the week. But first, let's take a little time to reflect on last week.
I am so thankful to have celebrated another birthday here on Earth. The weather was mostly good, we got to hop in the pool after work on one of those hot summer days, we had some wonderful friends stop by for a visit, and the laughter never seemed to end.
We wrapped up the week with family dinner, surrounded by our adult children and grandchildren. We played with the grandkids a few "new" versions of some old favorites. Connect Four has become Connect Four Spin. Perfection is now a fast-paced two-player game called Scramble. And then there was the old standby... 52 Card Pick Up. Some traditions never change! The only difference now is hearing the grandkids laugh as they race around the room, gathering up the cards and proudly counting their "points."
A few people asked me what I got for my birthday this year. Honestly? This was the best birthday I've ever had.
Not because of presents.
Not because of cake (which i did not have!).
But because I was surrounded by the people I love.
As I've gotten older, I've realized the greatest gifts in life can't be wrapped with a bow. They're found around the dinner table, floating in a swimming pool on a summer evening, sharing stories with friends, and listening to the laughter of children echo through the house. Those moments don't last forever, which makes them even more precious.
James reminds us that "every good and perfect gift is from above." Sometimes we think of God's gifts as the big milestones or answered prayers, but I think He delights in giving us ordinary blessings too. A conversation with a friend. A family meal. A house filled with laughter. Another birthday to celebrate. These are gifts from our Heavenly Father, and they deserve our gratitude just as much as the extraordinary ones.
As we begin another week, I hope we'll all take a moment to recognize the simple blessings that are easy to overlook. They may not come in fancy packages, but they are some of God's most beautiful gifts.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible
 

unfinished

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
- Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
 
My "birthday week" is coming to a close, and I have to admit, I've enjoyed sharing some personal stories with you about birthdays over the years. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Whether you're new to “Daily Bread by Kitty” or you've been reading my musings for several years, thank you for allowing me to share a little piece of my life with you each week.
Looking back, it's amazing how much has happened in just the last few years. The story God is writing has been nothing short of remarkable.
The last decade has brought deeper Daily Bread writings, a couple of college graduations, and another family member getting closer to earning a degree. We welcomed two incredible grandchildren into our lives, who affectionately named us "MeowMeow" and "GrandpaSaurus." Randy and I stepped out in faith and started our own business. I made the decision to change my life by getting healthy, and along the way I've discovered interests and abilities I never knew I had.
Technology has changed so much in such a short time. Artificial intelligence, building dashboards, video production, drone photography...if someone had handed twenty-year-old Kitty a list of everything she'd be doing today, I probably would have laughed and said, "You have the wrong person."
Yet...here we are.
That's what I love about God.
He doesn't stop giving us purpose just because we've collected a few birthdays. Sometimes He gives us our biggest adventures after we think we've settled into life. He continues to open doors we never expected, teaches us skills we never imagined learning, and places people in our lives who become part of His incredible story.
Maybe today you're thinking you're too old to start something new. Too tired to volunteer. Too inexperienced to try. Or maybe you're simply discouraged because life hasn't gone the way you planned.
What if God is whispering, "I'm not finished yet."
We spend so much time looking in the rearview mirror that we forget to look through the windshield. It's good to remember where we've been. It's important to thank God for every chapter that brought us to this moment. But we weren't created to live in yesterday. God is still writing our stories, and I have a feeling the next chapter may be even better than the last.
Besides...I still have motorcycles to ride, grandchildren to spoil, cats to cuddle, stories to write, and a whole lot of Jesus to share.
I'd say God's not finished with me yet.
And I promise...He isn't finished with you either.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

old pictures

Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past.
- Deuteronomy 32:7a (NLT)
 
A fun fact about me...I'm the sixth cousin of country music singer KT Oslin. If you were a country music fan in the late '80s and early '90s, you might remember one of her songs called "Old Pictures." Every time I hear that title, it reminds me of how powerful old photographs can be.
Since Monday was my birthday, I found myself drifting back through some old pictures. I don't have many from my childhood because most of them were destroyed over the years, but I've been fortunate enough to find a few tucked away in my grandmother's and mother's old photo albums.
Some of those pictures are all I have left of certain moments, but the faces in them bring back memories that no photograph could ever fully capture. They remind me of the people who shaped my life, encouraged me, challenged me, and loved me.
As I look back now, I can also see something I couldn't always recognize at the time. I can see God's fingerprints.
Every chapter of my life—even the painful ones—helped make me who I am today.
When I was fifteen years old, I lost my dad. At that age, how do you possibly understand a loss like that? Less than ten years later, I lost two brothers within two years of each other. Those seasons didn't make sense while I was living them, and I certainly wasn't looking around thinking, "God is teaching me something through this."
But time has a way of giving us perspective.
Looking back, I can see how those difficult seasons taught me compassion for people who are grieving. My dad's example instilled a work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my life. The hardships didn't define me, but they helped shape me into someone who understands that life isn't always easy—and that sometimes the greatest ministry is simply sitting beside someone who is hurting.
Deuteronomy tells us to remember the days of long ago. I don't think that's because God wants us to live in the past. I think it's because when we look back, we often discover His faithfulness in places we couldn't see while we were walking through them.
The farther down the road we travel, the clearer God's fingerprints become.
So today, maybe pull out an old photo album, scroll through those pictures on your phone, or remember someone who helped shape your life. Thank God for the joyful memories, for the lessons learned through the difficult ones, and for His faithful presence through every chapter of your story.
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible

fruit

 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
- Psalm 92:14 (NIV)
 
Birthdays have changed a lot over the years.
I can't remember if it was my fifth or sixth birthday, but I remember having a party one afternoon with six or eight neighborhood kids. One of the guests suggested we make a "birthday bridge." Everyone paired up, raised their hands like the old London Bridge game, and I was supposed to run underneath while each person gave me a birthday spanking as I passed.
It sounded like a fun idea...until one enthusiastic guest missed my bottom entirely and landed a hard smack across my back! Needless to say, that was the end of birthday parties for quite a few years, and I've never really embraced the tradition of birthday spankings since.
When we're children, birthdays are all about the presents. I still have to be gently reminded by my husband not to go overboard buying gifts for our grandbabies. He's probably right when he says they won't remember exactly what they received a year from now—but I sure enjoy trying to make their birthdays special.
As we grow older, birthdays become milestones. Double digits at ten. A teenager at thirteen. A driver's license at sixteen. The right to vote at eighteen. Full-fledged adulthood at twenty-one. Every birthday seems to mark another step toward growing up.
Then, somewhere along the way, birthdays quietly change again.
They become less about what we're given and more about what we've been blessed with. Family gathered around the table. Friends who have walked beside us through every season. A home filled with love. Meaningful work. Memories that no gift could ever replace. And yes...even that little crystal cat your friend from Accounting gave you years ago somehow becomes part of the story.
I remember thinking turning thirty was the end of the world. Looking back now, I can't help but smile. Forty wasn't nearly as bad, fifty came and went, and with each passing year I've discovered something surprising: I've learned more in these recent years than I ever imagined I would.
Psalm 92 reminds us that God's people "will still bear fruit in old age." What a beautiful promise. God doesn't retire us from His purpose. He continues to grow us, teach us, and use us to encourage others. Our age doesn't determine our usefulness—our willingness does.
God isn't finished writing my story, and He isn't finished writing yours either. Every new day is another opportunity to encourage someone, offer a kind word, share a smile, or remind another person that they are loved. Our greatest impact may not be behind us at all.
Now, don't get me wrong...there are definitely mornings when I feel my age. My back has its own opinion about getting out of bed, and sometimes it voices that opinion rather loudly. But as my husband likes to remind me, "You may get older, but you refuse to grow up."
He's absolutely right.
Now...where are all the cats?
 
#dailybreadbykitty
Daily Inspiration from the Bible