Kristi Butler
Meet my friend, Kristi Butler! Kristi and I met at a writer’s retreat last fall, but to be around us you’d think we went to high school together. The Lord joined our hearts in an amazing way, and I love how I’ll get a random Facebook message from her that says,
“Isn’t it AWESOME the way
God brought us into each other’s lives?
I’m so thankful for you!”
Tell me that wouldn’t make your day! Kristi is that kind of friend. She shares her wonder of His goodness on her blog, A Matter of Grace.
An accomplished speaker and author, Kristi’s written two children’s books that feature the adventures of Gracie and Grover Groundhog. Fun fact: she was invited to Punxsutawney and appeared with Phil on Groundhog’s Day!
Another fun fact: Kristi pulls off the road to snap a pic of her furry friends.
(I know this first-hand.)
Quicksand or His Sand
“How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.” Psalm 139: 17-18 (NIV)
Do you ever get consumed by what people think of you?
Or what you think they think of you?
I’ve got to admit. I can easily fall into the quicksand of insecurity and worry that engulfs as a result of that very thing.
As a preacher’s daughter and former preacher’s wife, I have anguished over people’s opinions of me, my family, my home, and basically every aspect of my life. Now, because I worry about what you will conclude from that statement…noting I’m a former preacher’s wife, I feel the need to verify that I’m still married to him (although at times ministry threatened to do us in), but he now is in an executive role in denominational ministry. And not because he was unsuccessful…or did anything wrong as a pastor. It’s because God gifted him enormously for that job!
See, what you think…what I think you might think…can do a number on me.
I love an illustration that my husband used to share from the pulpit on this subject.
When in a heart to heart with his precious grandmother regarding his concern over what someone might think about a certain situation, his Mama Butler, told him, “Sunshine (That’s what she called my hubby.), when you’re young, all you care about is what people think about you. And you get married and have kids and you’re too busy to care about what people think of you. You hit middle age and you don’t care about what people think about you anymore. But then you get old and realize that nobody was thinking about you in the first place.”
Whenever I take a stroll down by that quicksand, I often think of the words of Mama Butler.
And more importantly, I think of the fact that whether or not someone is thinking of me…whether or not it is good or bad or indifferent, that the only One who matters is thinking about me, sees me through the blood of Christ, and loves me unfailingly. And the key verse above is testimony to that! Imagine that! God’s thoughts of us “outnumber the grains of sand.” (I happen to be at the beach as I write this. That’s a lot of thinkin’!)
In my quiet time this morning, reading from Beth Moore’s devotional book, Praying God’s Word Day by Day, she said, “No matter what time of night you roll over in bed, you will catch God in the middle of a thought about you.” Don’t you just love that?
I am so encouraged by Isaiah 55:8 that says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts.” The passage goes on to say that His thoughts are higher! He doesn’t think the way I think. His thoughts of me…of you…are on a grand scale, better than anything we even dare to think! Oh, why would we ever sell Him short???
I’m ready to trade my quicksand for His sand! I am praying to “take every thought (of my own…those insecure, anxious thoughts) captive.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) And as Hebrews 3:1 says, I choose to “fix [my] thoughts on Jesus,” resting secure in the knowledge that He keeps me on His mind.
That’s sand I can sink my feet into!
It’s nice meeting you here, Kristi! Mama Butler sounds like one wise woman. When teaching on Psalm 139 years ago, I placed a scoop of beach sand in mini-sandwich bags (with the above verse written on the front) and handed them out to all the ladies in our class. Years later, I continue to learn how many of these women keep their sand bags by their bed to remind them of God’s love and attention for them.
Beautiful post. (Thanks Susan!) BTW…thank you for your prayers on Monday. Tuesday night’s class went very smoothly. Thank You, Lord!
I LOOOOOOVE Kristi!
And “taking captive every thought” is one of my fave verses.
Hi Cathy!! Yes, Mama Butler was truly wise, and such a precious lady! I love your bags of sand idea!! What a wonderful way to remember how we stay on His mind. Thank you for your sweet words.
And Meredith, I looooooooooooove you too!! Girl, I pray that “taking captive” verse a lot!
I loved this! Thank you so much for sharing Mama Butler’s words! I will put them in my heart…I’m sure they will be used a LOT! Sinking my feet in the sand with you.
Mindy, so glad that Mama Butler’s words keep blessing others!! Yes, remember them and only sink your feet into His sand.
Love and big hugs!
Kristi, I fall into the same trap. And I see my children doing it and it drives me crazy. A friend this week shared Phil 4:7 about not worrying… another great verse to keep in our heads when our insecurities try to say otherwise. Thanks so much!
Yes, Julia, Phil 4:7 is surely a verse to keep at the forefront of our minds! Thanks for sharing!!
Kristi,
I love your “Mama Butler’s” wisdom – timely for us all!
I have enjoyed getting to know you more today and would love to hear more of your ministry life – I joked with Susan awhile back about writing a book from a Pastor’s wives perspective . . . oh the joys . . & struggles. 
God bless you KRisti!
Love, Hester
Thank you, Hester!! You should write that book!! I know you could minister to so many. And yes, we should chat…I would love to get to know you better!
Sweet blessings to you, Hester!
Kristi, I love the fact that you share your wisdom with each of us just as “Mama Butler” did to so many. Years from now we will be saying “Words of Wisdom” from “Sista Butler”. Thank you for reminding me to rest secure in Him and stop worry about pleasing others. Love you sweet friend.
Susan, I am so excited for the friendship you and Kristi have been blessed with. It seems that you both are a true blessing to one another. What a wonderful gift God gives us, the gift of “Friendship”. It was so nice stopping by to visit your blog. Blessing to you.
Gloria, you are so sweet!! And I wish you and Susan could meet!! I love you both!
Hi Everybody!
I am SO sorry to be so tardy in responding to your comments. If you visit me on Monday, you’ll understand why. Thank you for taking time to visit and chat with Kristi!
I’m so glad to introduce you to Kristi. She ROCKS and is a sweet blessing of a friend. Be sure to visit her blog and get to know her better!
You’re so sweet!! I hope you’re having fun!! Love you! YOU are the blessing!
Fabulous and timely words, Kristi!! I am always on ‘guard’ and thinking that I already KNOW what someone else is thinking.. It is INDEED quicksand! Thanks for putting a name to this exhausting habit! I love your blog and your sweet spirit shines through! Have a great day!!
Sandi, you always make me smile!
And don’t you know that ever since I wrote the post I’ve lived inches away from the quicksand!! Argh. Yep, I need to heed Mama Butler and God’s Word!!!
Thank you Susan for introducing us to Kristi…and thank you Kristi for sharing some of your own wisdom! I can only imagine the story’s you and Hester can share from being a pastor’s wife. When I read this post and all the comments, I couldn’t help but smile in anticipation for the time when we can all share a cup of coffee together! Great job Kristi!
Thank you, Kim!! Yes, Hester and I need to chat!! And yes, longing for that day, the coffee, and the fellowship of sweet sisters!!