A Story Gripper

© jb katke

Have you ever read something, where the story line grips you and will not let go? This one keeps rewinding—playing over and again in my mind. It is worth sharing and may mean something to you too.

It is one that brings my friend Sally to mind—her life was a contrast to what I read. But more about her in a minute.

The story has two main characters, both men considered to be do-gooders. Cornell, a Roman soldier with high enough authority that he had men under his service. He was a praying man, sensitive to the needs of others—he routinely was a help and encouragement. But never imagined how the future was going to play out.

Having never met this Jesus, Cornell had a thirst to learn more about him. He heard the legendary stories—but wanted more. He had this dream-like vision that he should send his men to get Pete. Bring him back here and listen to what he says.

Pete was a follower of Jesus.  Knowing him well enough to go around telling others the message he had for mankind. Pete too, had a dream-like vision. To do something that would have been taboo in the current society. Pete’s vision included a message from Jesus. Essentially saying, “Do it.”

Pete did—the end result was a miracle in the making. Cornell’s whole family made a personal decision, right then and there.

What I did not share with you was the full message Cornell got. Jesus told him he saw how Cornell lived his life, praying for others and selflessly giving to those in need. In certain circles, one could say his life was a blessing.

But about Sally. She knows Jesus too. Like Cornell, she has a sensitive heart. Only Sally does not live exactly like Cornell. She has a comfortable life—and prays, but not so much for others. Wondering why she doesn’t get the answers she would like. Discontent might be a good way to describe her life.

You can read the story yourself—it’s an eye-opener. Check out the Good Book, Acts chapter ten. There is good stuff to dig out of it—ya never know how it could play out in your own life..

Considerations

© jb katke

Have you ever thought of your home as breeding ground? Or maybe a training center?

I never have before, but am giving it serious consideration now. Over something so mundane these thoughts come to me. My husband, Dave, was cleaning out our window wells. They are the below ground level ‘pits’ for the lack of a better word where the basement egress windows are.

Pulling weeds, disposing of the debris that the wind blows in, he comes upon two little unexpected finds. Babies—a frog and a turtle. We did not get a picture of the frog—it wouldn’t stay in one place long enough to snap one. Bless their little hearts. Any living thing that is small is cute and adorable. Suddenly he is on a rescue mission.

These critters would never survive if he had not pulled them out. No food, no water. It’s a mystery how they got down there, but can assure you it was by accident. Little did we know these little things were hatching there.

It got me thinking of people homes. Where children grow, develop and learn. It’s true you know—home is a breeding ground and training center too. It is the place where language is learned, social graces of what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Home is the launching pad for living a respectable, independent life as a responsible adult.

Wow mom and dad, what an awesome responsibility you have!

Pat yourselves on the back if you are proud of your offspring. It takes time, work, and a truckload of patience. Here is a message of hope for you parents that are still on the ground floor with little people under your feet. If your child seems to make excessive boo-boos, take heart. Our best lessons are learned through error. That goes for adults too—cut yourself some slack along with your child.

My own children are now grown and beyond my teaching them. Some of them are college graduates and could probably teach me a thing of two.  Giving it more thought, they do. One of the biggest lessons a parent learns is to respect the no longer child they birthed.

Dave and I are incredibly proud of ours—despite our shortcomings, knowing with Jesus’s help—we did good!

June Finding

© jb katke

Are you ready for summer? June will soon be upon us. The month conjures upcoming events to mind. Graduations, weddings, vacations, picnics—you can fill in whatever I left out.

The picture you see is a couple vintage Bride’s magazines, circa 1969/1970. I was planning my own wedding—sentiment is the only reason I have them today. Boy, am I glad now!

Coming across them in my never-ending goal of downsizing, I am so thankful to have them. Perusing through the pages, to my surprise, these two drawings presented themselves to me. One depicts my wedding gown before Mom altered it. I recall the day of purchase like it was yesterday.

The other is a picture of my dearly beloved husband-to-be. Have I seen these pictures before? I don’t recall. Did I put them in the magazine for safe keeping? Maybe. Or did Mom insert them in there for me to find at some later date? That I can address. A treasure found fifty-three years later.

OMG. What if I had disposed of the mags without giving a look see? It was fun to reminisce what was trending back in the day. I consider these finds a gift. My mother was a self-taught artist and I am very proud of her. She could have made a name for herself. Instead, she took my father’s name.

Mom grew up in a different era. Women were, for the most part, expected to marry and have children, end of story. We know there were exceptions. Today’s women have more opportunities to offer the world. Yet some of us do as I did, and follow in known footsteps.

Even so, Jesus can present new horizons to contemplate. Never would I have dreamed of being a blogger and author. Feel free to read One Day Wonders, Ordinary Days Becoming Extraordinary and find out what Jesus did in my own life and those near and dear to me.  

Can you see yourself doing the unimaginable? If so, what would it be? Do share.

In Memory

© jb katke

Memorial Day is fast approaching—bringing any sort of memories to the surface. Growing up in my parents home, we always loaded up the car with flowers and a modest picnic fare, traveling north to Sowles Cemetery. 

The trip was not long, but took up the day. It was an extended weekend designed give honor to those who died defending our country. The family cemetery held deceased relatives, but none to my knowledge served in the military. Those that did serve were buried elsewhere.

Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. That description was more in keeping with what Mom and Dad did. Bringing clippers to trim around the graves and planting flowers, Geraniums come to mind. The graves were the final resting place of both my parents grandparents. People I never knew but were real to my folks.

After marriage, Dave and I never followed that tradition. But there are other ways that show honor. In my personal calendar I mark both the birth and death dates of those I love—bringing them to mind at least a couple times a year.

Something I learned about the guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is certainly commendable. There are numerous rules and regulations that I will not go into. But will share what took place in 2003. Hurricane Isabelle was making her way to the DC area. In the gearing up preparation for the coming storm, the House and Senate relieved duty of the guards. Only they would not hear of it, “No way,” was their response. In the midst of that storm, the guards endured getting soaked to the skin with pelting rain and high winds. They said, “Being assigned to the Tomb was not just an assignment, it is the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.”  

That, my friend, is showing respect.

Recently, in reading some of the Good Book, I learned of yet another way of showing honor. Back in the day of course. When an important event or interaction between two people (or nations) took place, stones would be laid as a monument. It was erected as a means of remembrance of what took place. Children that were not present at the time would learn the history and importance of the event.

What about right now—how could one make a personal memorial for others to see? Here is one suggestion. Make a timeline. Draw a long line on paper—start with the day of your birth. Continue on making x’s or a dot wherever something eventful took place. Give the date and event. Note when your parents died and from what, the day President Kennedy was assassinated, when man landed on the moon—as well as personal stuff, wedding, children. You get the idea.

As grandparents, we have witnessed a few things. It will give the grandchildren something to learn from you. Meaningful communication is never a bad thing.

By the way. The above photo is of my husband who served our country, but has not died in so doing. He remains with me still today!

Twisted Mom’s Day

© jb katke

Every year—the same thing. Let’s turn things around.

Mother’s Day comes and we all gather around mom and sing the praises. Can we just for a moment celebrate those who made her a mother? The children.

Not everyone has children, but we all at one time or another were a kid. This is your time to shine, pat yourself on the back for a job well done…or maybe you gave it your best shot.

Motherhood has no previous training. I can say that with certainty because when awareness of the first baby’s arrival, we look at other children and think, “My child will never be like that.” And we mean it with our whole heart. Said with the best of intentions, of course. However, when the baby books entered the house, the baby didn’t read them.

Children do what comes natural to them. First time mothers have a tendency to do likewise. Not to point fingers or anything, but maybe overreact? Or become helicopter parents—forever hovering over said child?

With the birth of our first-born, I was overcome with the responsibility placed in my arms. With every little sniffle I marched him to Sick Bay. That was fine as Dave was in the Navy at the time. His concern was the future:

Dave: “You can’t just run our son to the doctor for every little thing.”

Me: “If our son needs medical care, he’s going to get it.”

Subject closed. Only it wasn’t until I got accustomed to caring for our little one.

Time passes and that is what prompted this photo. Babies grow. Their presence permeates through the entire house. From rattles to homework and shoes, the picture changes while the clutter remains.

All the while we mothers are learning important things. Like unconditional love, patience, and just how strong you have been all along. Children teach us those things. In those early years, mine taught me to discuss my frustration of them to Jesus. After all—he loves them even more than I do.

Can you relate?

The Darndest Thing

© jb katke

The darndest thing happened as I sat down at the computer to tell you all about Betsy McCall. She was a doll my mother insisted I have—when I was pretty much done playing with dolls.

I started to tell the story of how she came to be in our family. Today  she is a sorry sight. Sorrier than I realized. When I went to the drawer I knew her to be in, she was gone. At some point in time, I must have put her in a very safe place that I cannot locate now.

The hunt for her continued. Looking high and low to no avail. That is when the darndest thing happened. Remembering some storage boxes we have yet to unpack I found a little souvenir our great grandchildren left for me to play with from Thanksgiving. These little cars. 

If I hadn’t been searching for Betsy, I would never have known the cars were here for me to enjoy. I never did find Betsy’s torso. She is a little worse for wear as my own girls were interested in a doll from mom’s childhood. Bit by bit, she came apart. All I could find is one of her legs.

Poor Betsy, she is lurking around somewhere. No doubt I will find her when I am looking for something else. That is usually the way things go, isn’t it?

The method to Mom’s madness was a secret to me. But the day after our little shopping trip, mom pulled out a sewing pattern to make clothes for Betsy. That is when I learned to sew. It helped fill my otherwise long lonely summer. There were no playmates in my neighborhood.

Such memories. Mom had made me a cardboard ‘house’ complete with furniture. The box bit the dust still in my childhood. The bed she made is intact, but was unable put my hands on the crocheted bed cover. Maybe another blog another day Betsy can enjoy the sunshine in her claim to fame.

Just for kicks, what were some of your childhood memories? Let’s go down memory lane together.

Ten Minutes Later

© jb katke

Within ten minutes, the day changed with my phone ringing.

“Hi mom, what does your day look like?”

I knew—she has a need that involves me. Sometimes mothers need to be needed.

“I’m going grocery shopping, then having lunch with your dad.”

“A tow truck is taking my car the shop and I need to be there too. Can you get me there?”  Of course I will do all I can to help. I mean it.

What you don’t know is what came before that SOS call.  My focused Bible verses were about giving from the heart. I posted to my women’s Bible study group the desire for my heart and mind to be willing and able to help others. I meant it.

My helping took me on a route I more than dislike. I avoid it. We have an expressway that is heavily trafficked at all hours of the day. To get there in a timely manner, today would not an option. I mean it.

The following sentence may frighten you—but read it anyway. You need to know that Jesus is in the details of life. Stepping out of a comfort zone can also be exhilarating!

Choose carefully your words in prayer, Jesus takes them seriously. Requests are granted if they fall in line with his plan for your day.

Yes, I took the fastest route. And lived to tell you about it.   

Sometimes good intentions require us to do what is not comfortable. There is a secret to success that you may appreciate knowing. I prayed, thanking the Lord that he is with me during a stressful time. I meant it.

True to his word, Jesus’s dad provided safety and a clear path on unfamiliar roads. Of course he did, he was with me and makes me smile.

Yesterday’s Easter…

…does it look the same today? Do folks still purchase clothes to wear to church on Easter Sunday?

There is so much to prepare for that one day. Eggs get hardboiled in preparation to dye. Festive baskets came out filled with chocolate and marshmallow bunnies. Some families hide the eggs for children to hunt down. The house gets a spring cleaning. Don’t forget the food prep for a big meal.

It is all a welcome site as spring time reeks new life when the weather warms. Our lawns come back from dormancy. Flower bulbs start to make their presence known. Gardeners are poring over their seed catalog, designing new flower beds. After a long cold winter, the greenery is welcome to come. The anticipation of it all.

Gardening is a mystery to me. Seeds put in the ground and if properly nourished, will grow, looking radically different.  The action is done underground where we cannot see. The seed breaks and dies in order to be transformed into a new and beautiful life.

Does the Easter season bring thoughts of Jesus to mind? His life walking on earth was so long ago, it would be easy to completely disregard him. His life was devoted to helping and encouraging others.  He was a man in demand as he traveled around healing the sick, he was often spoken of with admiration. But he also endured a solid week of false accusations, imprisonment, and mockery. An unjust court trial lead to beating—ultimately ending with his death on a cross.

His story is heard in many churches on Easter. What I find astounding is he intentionally left heaven to make certain these events would take place. Why?

For the express purpose of taking the blame for all the things you and I have done. He knew what would follow.  Jesus didn’t stay on the cross. He didn’t even stay in his tomb. His earthly body was broken and dead. But he rose again to a new beautiful life.

He wants all of mankind to have that same opportunity. Jesus returned to heaven to be at his dads’ side. Because of him you and I have the same opportunity for our heart to join his. It’s ours for the asking. After leaving, Jesus even sent a helper for mankind to make it easier for us to bear the hard things of the world.

In your remembering past Easters, remember Jesus and what he did with you in mind. That gives us all a  reason to celebrate the opportunity of a new and beautiful life.

Make this the year your life is transformed to a new and beautiful life—Happy Resurrection day!

Waste Not

© jb katke

The saying goes, ‘Waste not, want not.’ Frightening as it may sound hang with my random thoughts here.

In a former life I was a quilter but remain a fabriholic. My fabric stash has been greatly downsized, but has potential. It’s all good for something. Just about every quilt I’ve made has shared the same sentiment, “I’ll not make that again.”

The last being a cathedral window quilt. It is a prime candidate for using up excess scraps. I used up enough to have to go out and purchase more fabric, an exercise in futility for you. These blasted two-inch squares are the leftovers and I’m making an effort to use them as well. Saved for some day.

Today’s point has nothing to do with fabric or quilting. The focus is on opportunities. I have missed National Son’s Day. Again. For starters, I don’t keep track of them until the day arrives. Then feel bad about it, until I remember my son doesn’t keep track either. He seldom gets on social media, so he doesn’t feel snubbed—leaving me feeling guilty for nothing.

Not to mention National Daughters Day. I have more than one of them and I’d miss that too, just to be fair. Here is what I am saying:

I am incredibly proud of every one of my children. Despite their tendencies in childhood, they have grown to be hard-working, responsible, law-abiding adults. They made excellent choices in their spouse as well, as the blessings carry on.

This is my sentiment every day of the year. Not just once a year for those national days I keep missing. I give a shout out to them because they deserve it. They may not realize this post immediately because, for them, it’s a work day. They all lead busy lives. Eventually, one of them may get to it and contact their siblings, “Hey did you catch mom wrote about us?”

Let those you love know how much they are loved. Life is so short and accidents happen. It is easy to think there is time, but tragedies occur on a daily basis. Our family has experienced a few and know we are not alone.

It is a sad dirty shame I didn’t realize how precious time is when we had little ones. Young families are up to their eyeballs with, well, young families. Life stops for no one. Its when more years are behind you than in front that prompts reflection.

Another word. If your fortunate enough to have grandparents, spend time talking with them. I didn’t and regret it. Older folks have stories to share to whoever will listen. They have lived through some stuff and pass on some words of wisdom.

Who else could picture fabric scraps and speak of time well-spent?

Stranger things have happened.

This I Know…

© jb katke

…head colds now reveal themselves differently in me than before. Because misery loves company, my husband Dave joined me. Technically, he started it. The difference between us is he went to work and I returned to bed.

…having to back out of five commitments told me I am busy. I may long for a time out, but acknowledge my life has purpose.

…drinking more water is advisable, but does not taste as good as Coke. Frozen Coke, better yet.

… it is not a good idea to procrastinate. Laundry multiplies.

… the sun rising to a new day, regardless of how I feel boggles my mind.

…doing things that are good for me is not fun. Going for walks is time-consuming.

…reading makes me tired and I have so many books to read.

… I truly don’t like change, unless it’s for the better.

…when my sewing machine misbehaves, it is time to walk out of the quilt room.

…while certain foods may be healthy and necessary, if it makes you gain weight, it’s evil.

…life is what you make it, dang it.

…dogs try to make friends with people that don’t like dogs, Just ask Dave, he can tell you.

…I can be a whiner if I set my mind to it. 

… Jesus loves me anyway. He said so in the Good Book. Starting a day reading what he says, makes the day go better. It is a supernatural experience. Trust me, I know.

…asking Jesus to take control of my life does not guarantee a problem-free life. He just makes it bearable one day at a time.

…Jesus gives me something the world cannot. Worry-free. Another mind-boggler is what he allows to take place on earth—just know his patience will come to an end.

…peace and contentment can be had.

…that you need Jesus as much as I do.

Don’t forget—Jesus loves you more than you realize.