Category: Family

TMI Risk

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© jb katke

Can I do this?

I had the best experience from an undesirable situation. But I don’t want to gross you out. Let’s see if I can share without offending you. Let me know if I succeed, please.

The date was set during the Christmas season last year. Not the best time of year, but then when is a good time for medical procedures? This was not my first rodeo. The last time was horrible and wound up making me sick. Just to find out if all my innards are as they should be.

The process began five days in advance of the doctor visit. Happenstantially, it was at this time that something jumped out to me from my Bible study. “Purification ceremony” presented itself for me to contemplate. My five-day advance took on new meaning. John chapter eleven, verse fifty-five is where I was reading.

A little back story for you to understand the scene I had read. This was prior to Jesus being crucified on the cross. It was during the Jewish Passover celebration. People came from all over to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices in worship. The need was for the participants to be cleansed in order to meet the criteria of sacrificing.

Because I was on a special diet that would become more intense as the hospital arrival day neared—I latched onto this purification and took it personally. Literally, I was undergoing a cleansing. The day before was a clear liquid diet.

I was ready for what was coming, with anticipation. For the procedure itself, I’m unconscious. Although waking up is usually difficult, at least it would all be over. To my surprise, I woke up alert! The good news is all is well for me until five years when I get do a repeat performance. I’m not dreading it either.

  1. More than once I discussed this with Jesus. Generally speaking, thinking is always worse than the actual ordeal.
  2. The directions were different compared to my previous experience.
  3. I prayed for an accepting heart to do what must be done.

What made the difference? Was it my nagging the Lord over this concern? The more palatable directions? Or praying for an accepting heart? My answer is yes to all of the above.

The things that concern us, are in Jesus’s wheelhouse. He’s got this. Stuff that we have no control over are his specialty.

Have You Been Robbed?

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Has the evil Grinch Dr Seus created in his children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas robbed you of all seasonal good will? It takes no effort on our part to feel overwhelmed from the things associated with Christmas. How can a person keep Jesus in mind as we celebrate his birth?

The words I share with you today are not all mine. Recently I listened to a message from missionary, Joy Owens, on how to keep our focus on the true message of Christmas. She helped me see references in the Good Book on how to get through the busy days ahead. I wish to share them with you.

Did you make a to-do list? Joy did.

  • Christmas lights: John 1:9 tells us Jesus is the light of the world.
  • Santa Claus: The original St Nick was Nichalos of Bari, a Greek Bishop known for his many miracles and love of secret gift-giving. He is the forerunner for who we recognize as Santa today. The Wise Men brought gifts to the new baby king.
  • Christmas tree: Think of the history in your ancestry family tree. Some were good, others not so much. The first chapter in Matthew lays out Jesus’s family tree. Notice the imperfection of some folks. Yet Jesus came from those roots. He has the ability to make goodness come regardless of your background.
  • Family dynamics: Despite our best laid plans of what must be, consulting Jesus’s will is crucial.  Jeremiah 29:11 says Jesus has his own ideas meant for our good.
  • Baking: John 6:58 says Jesus is the true bread from heaven.
  • Music: Many of the Christmas carols we sing carry the message of Jesus. Think Joy to the World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and more currently, Mary Did You Know?
  • Traveling: Are you planning a trip to see loved ones? Keep in mind the shepherds that traveled to see the newborn baby, the Wise Men noting a bright star and followed where it led, and Joseph and Mary traveling to be part of the census. The one that traveled the farthest was Jesus coming from heaven to earth.
  • Spending money/Gift -giving: It takes time and sacrifice in giving to those we love. Reflect how much it cost Jesus to offer his gift of salvation. His is the to-die-for kind of love.
  • House-cleaning: Forget the house, it will only get trashed with festivities anyway. Instead follow the words of Psalm 51:10. Ask Jesus to give you a clean heart, a renewed mind, and a right spirit.

Let the above words bring joy back into your holidays. Jesus did not arrive in a nursery months in the making, but a stable meant for animals. He is a simple son of God, known as our Messiah, Savior of the world. Allow him to restore your Christmas spirit so you can enjoy the peace he brought to earth.

Thanksgiving Wishes

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© jb katke

Have you ever had a missed opportunity?

My most recent missed event came from a routine trip to my local Walmart for a few groceries. As I went through the store I found myself behind a shopper dressed in her camouflaged Army uniform.

As I passed her, I hesitated long enough to thank her for her service to our country. Her response stopped me in my tracks. Putting hand to heart, “Thank you for the opportunity to serve.” What a gracious young woman.

How I wished I had noted her name, taken a picture—anything to have further honored this soldier. She deserved it as we find our military, police, and first responders being dragged through verbal mud.

I just don’t think fast enough.

We are in the time of year when lots of thinking is going on. We think of the family member that won’t be at the table this Thanksgiving. We think of the gifts we wish to buy for our loved ones. We think of past holidays—when the kids were little and thought they would never grow up.

They are now and have a life of their own that may not include us. We invested so much of ourselves. Missed opportunities to treasure what we had. But they are adulting, and that is commendable of them.

Would it surprise you to learn that Jesus thinks of you daily? He invested too. In mankind. Jesus knows what it feels like to be left out—as we go about our busy lives. He literally gave us his all, dying for our thoughtlessness.

As our holiday season approaches—do it different this year. Instead of mourning lost opportunities, make the best of what you have. Some have more than others, but we all have the same amount of time.

A portion of this afternoon was spent rummaging through a few family heirlooms. I came across a letter my Aunt Jane wrote to Jesus. Some were words of confession over her unmet past opportunities—but in the bottom line of her wishes—she asked for wisdom to live out the rest of her life seeking his direction on how to spend her remaining days investing in others.

I share her sentiment and hope you give it consideration too.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving

Elephant Eating

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Today I have tackled eating an elephant. Figuratively speaking. How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

My ‘elephant’ is in the sewing room with a dreaded project hanging over my head. Let it be said here that knowing how to run a sewing machine does not equate to being a skilled seamstress. Or in this case, a tailor. The zipper on my windbreaker jacket broke and needed replacement.

Some time back I ordered a white separating zipper online for a bathrobe. The package was delivered in a timely manner with one little problem—the zipper was black. Realization comes to me slowly at times. The windbreaker is black.

In my thinking spot I realized this was to my benefit. Take out the broken and replace with the already paid for mistake. Easy to say, a challenge to do. What I did not realize is how well made the windbreaker is. Really well made. To ensure that all the pieces of jacket remained in place I basted before I started ripping out. Unfortunately, the zipper also wanted to remain in place. I suspect fabric glue was part of the construction.

As I basted away I came across a surprise. Inside the jacket is a hidden pocket! I love inner pockets and thrilled at what I have hidden in plain sight. Visions of sugar plums dance in my head as to what I can now carry sheltered from wind or rain.

Well—sometime anyway. My days are full and this project will not be accomplished anytime soon. Completion may not come until the dead of winter when it will be too cold to wear a jacket. Baby steps. One bite at a time. This was a dreaded project because seldom can I make a repair on a ready-made garment and have it looking as good as a factory finish. My skills do not match my intentioned goals. But it will work, even though it may look as though I tampered with it.

Look closely at what you may have hidden in plain sight. Whether it be a pocket, an opportunity or something packed away. You know what I’m talking about—that thing you could not bear to part with because someday it could be useful. Today may be your day.

Life is like that. So is Jesus. Do you have circumstances that you dread—fearing it is going to be a big deal? Something you would rather not deal with? I get it.

As far as this zipper project goes, I have decided to ask Jesus to give me the wisdom and skill to get it done. If you like, you can try Jesus with your thing too. I have every confidence he will come through—for both of us.

PS The bathrobe is patiently waiting.

Cops & Doughnuts

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© jb katke

Where do I even begin in sharing this? There is much to tell—some of which may sound unbelievable. Believe it because I never aim to deceive.

Cops and Doughnuts bakery has become a regular stop-over when visiting my brother, Bruce. He and his wife Sharon moved to the little town of Clare in Central Michigan long ago. The town takes pride of being the Gateway to the North.

At the time it was sleepy little place. But as time marched on, discount stores made Clare home, putting many of the smaller retailers out of business. It was getting depressing. When the local bakery, owned and run by family members for one hundred years decided to close their doors—it was the last straw.

The local policemen would. Not Have it. The unthinkable was about to happen if they didn’t do something. Nine brave officers, who knew nothing about making doughnuts or running a business stepped up.

Many have heard the love affair a policeman has with doughnuts. Their book, Cops & Doughnuts, told to Anne Stanton, tells the story of how this all came about, explaining the why of it. When an officer has the late night or early morning patrol, they often have a need for a little pick-me-up to see them through their shift. The only places one can count on to be open is the doughnut shop. Now you understand the connection, you’re welcome.

These officers had a very short time to crash learn the ins and outs of doughnut making and carrying on business as usual. But they did it with results business owners dream of. A smashing success. The town is sleepy no more. Police from all parts of Michigan have come to support or learn the how-tos of the bakery business. Making national news helped put them on the map, visitors come from around the nation.

Through the years it has expanded both in real estate and merchandise. The mugs and T shirts bearing clever sayings are popular. “Don’t glaze me bro!” or” D.W.I Doughnuts Were Involved.”  It has become an event for busloads of shoppers, complete with signage, “Inmate of the Month: Parking Only.”

These officers have an enviable sense of humor and play it up to everyone’s delight. It shows policemen in a different light. They are real people (gasp!) that have a respect and a shared commitment to their community. Countless occasions have provided them to help individuals as well as its citizens. An FYI, none of the profits go to the owners, they already have a viable occupation. All funds earned go back into the bakery.

It meant a lot to me to sit briefly with Bubba—I learned they all have nicknames—giving me free reign to the pictures in the book and telling the story. As I introduced myself being Bruce Baldwins’ sister, it was necessary to clarify which Bruce Baldwin.

My brother has a Clare story too. When he and Sharon moved up from the Detroit area, they were not warmly received. City slickers. You understand. It took ten years for them to become accepted residents. But that was only half the problem. It seems they already live there, folks with the same name, well-known among the police force and town at large. Meaning not in the best light— the problem was real. Thankfully, they were able to outlive the mistaken association.

Today was a feel-good post. The book indicates they have a relationship with Jesus, proving with him, all things are possible.  

Memory Lane

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Returning to our home state is a walk down memory lane. So many places to go and people to see. More so this trip than the others. What took us back to Michigan was a fifty-five-year class reunion. It was determined that Dave and I were married the longest. Or should I say we married the youngest?

We saw people all right, ones that we mostly didn’t recognize. It was a bittersweet evening. Ribbons with photos of classmates no longer with us. One in particular I was anxious to reconnect with, not to be, she entered her eternal home. Joining us at our dinner was a classmate that knew and remembered me more than I did him. That can be a little disconcerting.

While there we made the routine trip visiting our past homes. Where Dave grew up, where I grew up, where our children grew up. I don’t miss the homes as much as I miss the trees. They are everywhere, shielding us from bright sunny days. This time, the skies were mostly overcast. Another thing I miss, cloudy skies.

©jb katke

As we gawked at the home of my grandparents, we got to speak with the new owner. The home has never looked so good. New homes have taken the place of Grandpa’s fruit trees.

The unexpected perk in visiting my brother was receiving drawings our mother did that I had never seen before. Mom was a gifted artist. She could have made a living from them had she pursued that avenue. Instead, her time was invested in my father and us kids. One time she confided that she should not have married. Housekeeping was not her forte.

She had too many interests to be concerned what our home looked like. Knitting, I am certain I have a tablecloth she crocheted, piano and her artwork. Those things fed her soul, just as seeing the trees fed mine. What feeds your soul?

There is beauty in the world if we look for it. Either in the nature Jesus created for our pleasure or the activities that bring joy.

There were more pleasures in our travel that I will share at a later time. Stay tuned.

Be Encouraged

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©jb katke

Do you feel as though the world has run amuck and a little encouragement would be refreshing?

I came across the writing that Servant Hearted Sisterhood made public. Maybe you have not seen it—so I present it to you:

“Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids/grandkids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be.

God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they’re in. Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident.

Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God. Train them up in the authority of His word. Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control. Empower them to know they can change the world.

Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world, but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan.

He knew Daniel could handle the lion’s den.

He knew David could handle Goliath.

He knew Esther could handle Hamen.

He knew Peter could handle persecution.

He knows that your child can handle whatever challenge they face in their life. He created them specifically for it.

Don’t be scared for your children, but be honored that God chose you to parent the generation that is facing the biggest challenge of our lifetime. Rise up to the challenge. Raise Daniels, David’s Esther’s and Peter’s.

God is not scratching his head wondering what he is going to do with this mess of a world. He has an army he is raising up to drive back the darkness and make him known all over the earth.

Don’t let your fear steal the greatness God placed in them. I know it’s hard to imagine them as anything besides our sweet little babies, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them. But they were born for such a time as this.”

Unknown Author

I cannot think of anything to add, this says it all.

Disconnectedness

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© jb katke

Today’s blog almost did not get written. All because I cleaned my writing room. One could think it doesn’t pay to clean.

Correction. Cleaning homes is a profitable endeavor unless you are cleaning your own home. Such as I do. More than the normal dust and dirt was tracked around the house. I was saving it.

Those that know me well and love me anyway, know my cleaning pattern. Wait until it gets really bad, then clean to make the effort worth the time invested. If you have the same tendency, I will share one of my better household hints. Allow clutter to accumulate on  as many flat surfaces as you can. It keeps the dust off your tables.

Later, I sat down to write—but could not. My laptop worked fine, not so the monitor. Ditto for the printer, it too, refused to cooperate. Checking all connections, I was baffled to what was the problem.

In such instances, I call out to my husband, Dave. He always comes to my rescue and is handy to have around—the man can fix anything. As he investigates, I mention the printer as well. He gave me ‘that look.’ It was just the incentive I needed to try harder.

What I learned is that I am a lousy connection checker. He located the issue on the monitor and bless my soul—I managed to get the printer up and running all by my little self.  

Welcome to my life. Another day to realize more of us suffer from disconnectedness than we realize. It comes in many forms,  the aforementioned electrical, mechanical, relationally deficit—don’t forget Jesus. Have you tuned into him lately?

You’re busy? I understand, so am I. But have discovered a revelation that I will pass on to you. If I devote time to be with Jesus in prayer or even silent moments thinking about him, my day goes much better. I’m diligent to my tasks, have more energy, and go to bed at night satisfied with what got accomplished.

If my to-do list is too long, it happens. I can still rest easy, looking forward to another day of opportunity. Give it a shot. What have you got to lose? Don’t say time because Jesus redeems time—as was stated above, with more energy.

It. Is. Finished!

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© jb katke

This man of mine is so resourceful. Dave had me in mind, planning to build a bookshelf. I don’t deserve it and had not requested it—but he knew I would love it. The cabinet appears to be built in, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling, and I could not be happier with the outcome.

The project took the bulk of his summer. Thought, planning, editing dimensions, drawing and more drawing went into it before the work began. It takes a lot of brain power and heart to devote this much time to an endeavor of this magnitude. Each morning, he was at it, taking few days off to recoup.

Bottom line, the room is so ‘me.’ For several years this space has been my quilt room. Since I have begun writing, quilting has taken a back seat. I sit in awe with so much joy. It will take some practice to call the room by its new name. Lady J’s Lair. If you are interested in knowing how the name came to be, read my blog Intermission IV.

Both of us were amazed at how many books were gathered from the nooks and crannies of the house. My fabric stash now resides with book roommates. Space even for some of Dave’s favored reading, as well as some treasures of mine. The flag on the top shelf was given to me at my father’s military funeral. The newspaper bag is not prominent but hails from our son’s days of delivering the local paper many years ago.

Intermixed with these projects Dave has made—another awesome event took place. I met Jesus. That too, puts me in awe. Jesus had a hand in creating the world we live in. It took a mere seven days without any breaks—considering the work of his hands good. It was we humankind that muddied things up. Jesus let his creation realize this world was no longer perfect. However, he had a plan. Jesus made a way for us to live with him in perfection.

Currently Jesus resides in heaven, but had a thirty-three-year stint here on planet earth. Evil men, not fans of Jesus, determined to end his existence, putting him on a cross to die. Jesus was well aware, only his plan extended to beyond the cross. He rose from the dead. That sounds unbelievable, but each spring we see plants come back to life.

Know that Jesus is capable of anything and did not stay dead.

Much thought went into this, he had you in mind. When he returned to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to give us hope and encouragement. It is there for the asking, but you have to want his help. Ask for it—even if you feel you don’t deserve it. Jesus’ love and forgiveness is greater than any wrong humans can commit. Sit quietly, in awe and enjoy all he has already done for you. It is finished. Jesus said so himself.

Intermission IV

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© jb katke

Found: Buried treasure! Keep reading, I’ll tell you.

Pertaining to my husband’s project, as so often Dave says, “All it lacks is finishing.”  Progress continues on the bookshelf. Soon you will see his handiwork. Right now, it requires my involvement too.

At the risk of downplaying Dave’s labor, my part is tough. Going throughout the house gathering books and fabric from forgotten places. What a delight to come across long forgotten memories!

Three grocery bags revealed good intentions. Each labeled with my child’s name. Inside were garments along with fabric from things I had made for them. The ongoing issue with a quilter, is the ability to see potential in discarded, outgrown clothes. The plan was to cut them up into a crazy quilt for them, some day. Ruthless, hard decisions must be made. Sorry kids. It ain’t gonna happen. They have been demoted to the ‘get rid of pile.’  

I have never denied loving books. But as I gathered them from all over the house, had no idea there so many. This new addition is going in what used to be my quilt room. My reading material will share space with sewing material. Past comments said I could open a quilt shop. Not really, but there is a lot. Correction. There was a lot, much has been given away. By all appearances more will go.

Old habits die hard. Checking the labels on the girls dresses to see what is washable from the dry clean only, I wonder. Would the granddaughters be interested in their mom’s old clothes? Probably not. But it would be a travesty to not let them see what they may reject. That same logic must be in keeping my wedding gown. One of the girls may wish to wed in it. That did not happen. Speaking of wedding gowns, I think I have my mothers too. A brocade fabric cut in a simple, timeless style.

Right or wrong, we the people seem to feel the need to hold onto things—only for one of our descendants pitch. Such is the cycle of life. With one exception that was mentioned in a previous blog. The letter ‘L.’ It came from my father-in-law’s varsity sweater. I had petitioned you to help me come up with a new name for the room.

I had a couple of good suggestions, but decided on one I had made up myself, with a humorous history. Several years back, Dave had traced my family roots through Ancestry. He came across an ancestor from Great Britian, that was quite prosperous. Among the many hats he wore, he was a banker and shipbuilder.

My logical query was where did his money go, and why was I not informed of his ‘summer castle?’ Unanswered questions remain, but I jokingly told Dave he may call me Lady J. Hence the name of my remodeled room, Lady J’s Lair.