Category: On Any Given Day

Considerations

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© 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

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© 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.

Giving All

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© jb katke

This is a neat story—I wish it were mine. All I can do is pass it on…with a few comments and paraphrases from yours truly.

Peter and John were followers of Jesus, back in the day when he walked this earth. Devoted to their faith, the two men were about to enter into the prayer building. They were stopped short by a crippled guy begging for money.

How many people ask for money today?

Something to note is this man is not labeled a beggar, he was just a cripple in need. He did not look at these men, but feeling their presence and the potential to give what he requested.

Shame can keep one from looking others in the eye.

Peter did the talking—with his attention focused on the cripple, “Look at us. I don’t have money to give, but what I have, I give freely to you. Because of who Jesus is, get yourself up and walk.”

Peter extended his arm, grabbing hold of the man’s right hand, helping him to stand. Elated the no-longer-cripple joined them inside, walking and skipping. It seems details are included that are not necessary. Or are they?

Why was this narrative included? The Good Book, among so many other details, tells us Jesus’ dad was a man of action and has a ‘Mighty right hand.’ It can be found in Psalms 118:16. That makes one wonder, is this cripple going to do mighty things now too, because of his healing?

Why do I even bother to tell you all this? Because daily we are inundated by people with outstretched arms, asking for our money. Our hard-earned money that is difficult to come by these days.  A few dollars does not go very far anymore.

Do you have something to offer to those in need? There is more to give than just money. Some donate unused clothes. I know a guy that befriended a principal of a local elementary school, learning of ways the community can be a supportive assistance. He also listens as children strive to become better readers. We can be creative in our giving.

One of the most beneficial ways help is sharing the love of Jesus. The impact made is eternal. If you are a modern-day follower of Jesus, freely share what a difference he can make in life.

The benefit can be twofold, the hearer getting acquainted with a loving Jesus and the teller becoming more bold in faith and sharing. Both are necessary.

Shoulda, Coulda

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©jb katke

I wanted to but didn’t.

The temptation was strong to stay in the parking lot until the driver next to me returned to their car.  This sign was in their driver side window. My inclination was to wait until they came out and then tell them, “You’re not chunky.” But then maybe they were.

Besides, I came to the grocery store to do business, not offer sweet platitudes to somebody. The need to accomplish what I came for took over. However, I will confess, the temptation was equally strong not to approach each overweight shopper, “Is it you that has that clever message in your window?”

That could have lead to a bunch of awkward conversations. “No, why do you ask?”

Better to let it go. Another clever sign I’ve seen on cars recently is the “Please be patient, Student Driver.” Maybe they are legit, but I doubt it—so many have been sighted. A dead giveaway is when the sticker is adhered crooked.

Shortly after moving to Kansas, I saw a street sign bearing the words, “Keep moving, merge later!” Confession, the exclamation point is mine, not on the actual sign. But it did strike me funny.

Another one, during the same move was the Touchless Carwash sign. Never had I ever seen raindrops as enormous as what was experienced. A tremendous amount of flooding at the time—highways closed, as well as the carwash. The rain water reached the height of the sign, probably two feet deep. That was touchless alright.

If you look around, you may see a few humorous signs yourself. Some though, are worth being mindful of. “Deaf child at play,” “Smile, you’re on camera,” or our good old speed limit signs. Those are especially helpful when school lets out. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do.

The Darndest Thing

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© 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

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© 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.

Solar Events

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Stranger things have happened.

Like getting my blog posted a day early. It had to be. All the news channels are talking about our solar eclipse. A full one that won’t happen again until 2044. I may not live to see that one, so I write about today’s event.

Only I won’t see today’s solar eclipse either. First off, my part of the country is not on the path. Secondly, even if it was on path, I’ve been hearing too much about don’t look at it. Regardless of the special lenses you may use. There is too much danger in doing so, possible blindness—a life-change I can do without. Just knowing it is happening and sensing a darker sky is enough for me.

The hype and conversation reminds me of another long-ago time the sky went dark. All we can do now is read about it. The factual story can be found in several places of the Good Book. (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, and Luke 23:44)

The history is intriguing enough that you may want to read the why and how of it. It was a bigger deal than what we have going on today. The creator’s son, Jesus once walked the face of this earth. He arrived by supernatural means with a love for people beyond comprehension. Only to be hung on a cross enduring a brutal death. It was by a willing plan to take the blame for all the evil found in mankind.

On his last breath, the sky turned dark—much like today. Not for a few minutes, but for three hours. That had to feel freaky. If you were in a church last weekend, you probably heard all about it. What we celebrate on Easter is another freaky thing, also by plan. Jesus came back from the dead.

I can’t help but think there is something special about three.

The Good Book speaks of God, his son Jesus, and the Comfortor (aka Holy Spirit). Three.

Jesus’s ministry of telling others a new and different way of life that would bring them into heaven. Three years.

Jesus mentions that he could rebuild a bunch of believers (church). In three days. Dead in a tomb. Three days, before rising again.

A mother giving birth to triplets, a life-change.

The egg. The shell, the white, and the yolk. Three.

There must be more three’s. If you come up with others let me know.

It is Finished 2

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© jb katke

…but Easter 2024 is not over, the message is more than daily. It is hourly—year in and year out.

I love the words I heard on Sunday, never having put the concept together before. They came from two sources, Tim Tebow, former football quarterback, and my pastor, Mike Bickley.

“Jesus’s death on the cross is biggest rescue mission known to man.”

How true! Some had need to call a fire department, others maybe the police. Or maybe both. Depending on the need being an urgent cry of help, and the right people came running.

How many of us have felt that cry of help in a spiritual sense? A mental scenario plays in my mind of someone on the verge of drowning, pleading with Jesus to save him. If saved, this individual makes all kinds of promises—only to forget about them when he miraculously is saved. It is human nature to look after number one. An unfortunate human response.

There is so much in life that is beyond our control. It only makes sense to turn to Jesus. Or is that the last resort? Consider making it your first priority. Jesus already owns a claim to fame. Cracking open the Good Book, you can read about his message of his healing, salvation, his new way of worshipping.

Wait, back up. Does that cry for help in a spiritual sense denote a need of saving? What is really desired is being removed from danger, right? Consider this: We all are in danger. If Jesus is somewhere in the way background of your life, you are putting yourself in danger of falling for…whatever.

A bigger home, the newest model vehicle, or the latest cell phone available won’t give you peace of mind. They will forever require updating.

Compare that to what Jesus has to offer, free for the asking. He is capable of instilling new wholesome desires that fall in line with his plan for you. Were you even aware he made you for a purpose and has great plans for your life? I can vouch for the fact that he will take you places never dreamed of. It’s a good thing.

Jesus can and does fill a heart with gratitude, comforts in time of need, and gives you the opportunity to spend eternity with him. The hard things in life are not removed, but you can have him with you wherever you go. Whatever you do. That, my friend, is better than a State Farm agent who is always there. An agent has hours, Jesus is 24/7 on call, waiting to hear from you.

Getting back to Easter—we have it because of Christmas. Commonly they are the seasons of acknowledgement. He came as an infant growing in this world as you did. Living a blameless life, he deliberately took all the wrong things of this world (aka sin) and let the blame fall on him. Take it personally that he died for you. It truly is the biggest rescue mission ever. It is up to you, do not let your faith be seasonal.

Any hour is right to call on him, he will come running.

Waste Not

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© 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…

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© 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.