Category: Seasonal

Thanksgiving Wishes II

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© jb katke

As I said last week, ‘I just don’t think fast enough.’

If only I had picked up the phone. Made the call. Communicated something.

Thanksgiving Day is over, but this year will forever remain in my memory. It’s one of those shoulda, coulda, woulda moments.

Normally I have our big dinner in the middle of the day. Smack in the middle of the football game—to the angst of my menfolk.

This year I did things different, including the hour we sat down to eat. Later in the day. Later was when some of the family was back on the road to see the other half of kin. The opportunity to eat and enjoy the company of each other became a missed moment. If only a person could be everywhere at once.

I wish I had communicated the changes so that we all could have made the necessary adjustments to commitments.

It’s a tough spot to be in when family comes from out-of-town and cannot spend adequate time together.

All it would have taken was a little communication. We all think so much of each other—no one would have suffered the angst that we did.

What about you—have you been out of communication lately? With Jesus? Of all people, I hope not him. If something comes to the forefront of your mind, it may be him letting you know. He’s the guy that helps us.

You may be wondering, if he is such a help, why didn’t he help me in my situation?

He can, he does and he did. Because unlike us, he is capable of being everywhere at once.

Jesus helps me learn from my mistakes. I have made many through the years. But when I take his guidance seriously I keep from becoming a repeat offender. 

I am fortunate to have family that finds joy in each other. Some call it lucky, the Good Book calls it blessed. It’s a pleasure to catch up on each other’s lives. We need that because staying in touch can be difficult.

The neat thing about staying in touch with Jesus is he knows all. We don’t have to explain situations or people—he created us and can sees things as they are. He longs to be part of our life, to make things better than they already are.

This is one opportunity not to be missed.

Nice Things

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© jb katke

Do you like nice things? I do and sometimes wish I did not.

Put your seatbelt on—I will take you on one of my rabbit trails of thought. I promise it won’t hurt.

While having nice things is nice—it is not always what it is cracked up to be. All the dishware and collectibles I have inherited are stored in our hutch. It’s big. The deliverymen referred to it as “The beast.”

“The beast” has a story in itself, starting with the wicked gash in its side, but will not elaborate on that today. I am nothing more than next in line of my ancestors collection. Whether tradition will continue and my kids want anything from it remains to be seen.

It. Is. Full. Everything in it must come out for a refreshing bath. When emptied, the glass must also be cleaned. It is more than a days work. Which brings me to my point. It is not so much ownership of memories—it is more like the acquisition owns me. Maintenance required.

© jb katke

Another for instance is our cookie jar. Like so much in our home, it has history. When my husband was just a boy, he purchased it—gifting the cookie jar to his mother. It reflects what a thoughtful, sensitive nature he has. Dave grew up with three other siblings. A cookie jar was a necessary kitchen item.

Washing that cookie jar is just short of a spiritual experience. When wet, it is slippery. It has lived such a long life—I would feel awful if I brought it to its’ demise. Care required.

On the other hand—check out these beautiful leaves. I am a pushover for autumn leaves. Dave says I can’t help myself. On the ground I can see their individual beauty—on the tree they get lost in the mass.

If you examine them closely, there are flaws. They are varying colors of death. The shapes are unique to the tree they fell from, and have little holes. Some may call imperfections.

Jesus and I think they are beautiful. They have served their purpose shading us in the heat of the sun, now we can appreciate their uniqueness. Various colors of death are beautiful when viewed with other trees. And those little holes? It reveals they have been through some stuff.

Have you been through some stuff too? Maybe you don’t look upon yourself as beautiful. Jesus feels you are just right. Acquiring a few scars as we go along is part of life. It defines who we are. If we live to tell about it—someone needs to hear it.

We are not placed on earth to endure, or look good in the eyes of others. We are here to lift each other up. Care and maintenance is required, and encouragement can be scarce. Let others know Jesus likes us just as we are.

Unmasked

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(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

While scary and death seem to be the theme of Halloween—death is a life event no one is completely prepared for. It makes no matter if it is sudden or a lengthy illness.

There are a lot of mixed feelings going around. We are hearing of the war in Israel and the unrest in our own country. And now, losing the beloved Hollywood actor, Matthew Perry, as we learn of his last days. How weird that he recently wrote how he wanted to be remembered.

More information will come forward—it always does. Matthew conquered a drug addiction. His battle was real and didn’t make it a secret. He unmasked his trial for the world to see and let them know it is beatable. Good. For. Him. We need more people like that in life—to know there is hope.

Life can be hard. Anything can weigh a person down. With the right kind of helpful people, we can become conquerors.

On a lighter note, are the Halloween costumes ready? The children are certainly ready to haul in the candy. I’m hoping there are lots of kids parading around as cops, EMS workers and firemen. They are the right kind of helpful people that are getting a bad rap lately.

But there are others, less noticeable. Do you have a friend that harps on Jesus? There was a time when they were referred to as Jesus Freaks. If they are in your circle, good for them.

Their words may not always be appreciated, but I gotta tell ya. They can be a real help when you are in your own battle. Addiction, divorce, death or whatever. These so-called Jesus Freaks are just the ones to help when tough times hit.

Facing hardship is never easy, but to mask it makes everything worse. It’s living a lie. How do you want to be remembered?

Jesus wants to help but won’t if you haven’t asked him. He is not one to intrude. I have learned firsthand he can bring others into your circle that are an encouragement. Either be that person or go to that person.

It makes the world a better place. Shock of shocks, chocolate is not the answer for everything.

In Memory Of

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“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in memory of ________________.”

These words are often said at funerals—at least on television. We just need to fill in the blank. This morning we discovered a death outside our door.

This precious little hummingbird. I cannot say he, or she, was part of our family, but in recent years I have devoted a lot of sugar and various feeders trying to lure them to us. Throughout the summer they have been scarce. I anticipate seeing more of them this time of year as they fill themselves up in preparation for wherever they migrate to.

Families of today consider their pets as part of the family. When I was a child, pets had pet names—Rover, Spot, Fido. These days pets are given ‘people’ names. What I find astounding is the pet life insurance companies.

Yes, pets can now have life insurance! Who are the beneficiaries? Someone has to inherit the dog collar, litter box, or birdcage. Of course, it goes without saying that upon demise, pets can be laid to rest in pet cemeteries. Urns are available to put their ashes in. This mindset may have its’ roots in the ‘Save the whale’ mantra we heard years ago. 

Perhaps the blank can be filled in with common sense.

There is a saying, ‘There are bigger fish to fry.’ Meaning, there are greater concerns in life than all this pet stuff.  Hearing the news of the day, we have constant reminders of theft, murders and child-trafficking. The list goes on, but you know what is happening in your community. It’s heartbreaking.

What can a person do to make a positive difference in our society?

There is no one pat answer. But I can suggest a good place to start. Crack open the Good Book and discover what is important to Jesus. Cover to cover, we can learn more about the man, what his motive operandi is, and what is important to him.

Both good and bad examples in the life of individuals are highlighted. Family life is revealed; you think your family is dysfunctional? Not to worry though, there are lots of feel-good encouraging parts too. Complete with how things will end up! The book has been in the top seller list for practically ever. Consider it a must-read.

August Birthdays

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© jb katke

First off, let me say: If your beloved wife is expecting a baby, and she is sick. It’s real. Even today, after all these years, I admire women who can be pregnant and carry on with daily life. I salute them because it is not always pretty.

Our first child was born in August. I see that as a great accomplishment—it took a lot of hard work.

Pregnancy did not come easily and when it did, we were ignorant of the signs. Cooking sausage flipped me every morning with nausea staying for the day. Our toddler nephew leaning against my chest brought pain.

This was during our Navy years. My husband Dave returned from his class telling me his peers diagnosis for my ailment. He promptly marched me into the medic office to confirm what was obvious to everyone but us.

In the military, all dependents are identified by the Social Security number of the enlisted. Praise the Lord for that! My first name was not on their records, likewise my age was incorrect. We confirmed my last name with his social number determining I was me and expecting his child.

We could not have been less prepared. The first several months I was pretty much bedridden, never far from the restroom. Pepto Bismal was my lifeblood. When I could finally keep food down, I gained too much weight. A new diagnosis became apparent—Toxemia Pregnancy. In my final month I needed help getting dressed, my feet felt as though I were walking on bowling balls.

It was the day before our due date that I could not stand up straight. Dave drove me the twenty miles to the hospital at Great Lakes Naval Air Station. Doctors poked and prodded, informing me the baby was coming soon. “Go home. By the way, it’s possible you are having twins.”

Mentally I screamed you are just now making that determination? My size being an indicator. That afternoon, I called my husband to take me back to the hospital; labor was present.

It’s a boy!

Unfortunately, my milk was not coming. Little did I know breasts must be prepared months in advance. Did I mention how little we knew and completely clueless on parenting? My folks came to help, and what a help Mom was! She bottle fed little Jamie and the infant gobbled that bottle. It marked the end of breastfeeding.

In those early months, I made several trips to the pediatrician. Dave telling me, “You can’t keep running to the doctor for every little thing.”

My response, “If our son needs medical care, he’s going to get it!” What I marvel at is Jesus giving a child to parents who know nothing. What is even more amazing is the children survive!

Years later, Jamie provided us his wife, with an August birthday. Reason two to celebrate!

Jamaica 2003

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© jb katke

Twenty years ago, my husband Dave, and I, went on a short-term mission trip to Jamaica. Sometimes we used vacation time to be a meaningful experience.

While many go to the tropical countries for rest and relaxation, living there is not easy. We had ourselves a cultural experience. The trip was to help make life better for a family. Not all the nationals have a place to call home; those having land may not have a dwelling. Their property is generally not as big as an American front yard. The land is chock full of beautiful plants, but also hard, full of hills and rocks.

In the midst of our trip, a weekend break was provided to recoup from the arduous construction. Our missionary sponsor took us to the Poor House. Not the kind of poor house Americans often find themselves in.

Our fellow workers joined us in  boarding a school bus, traveling more winding curves than I care to count. The single lane roads leading us were mountainous; sporting only an occasional lane wide enough for an oncoming vehicle to pass. The curves that had no rails to protect from falling over. It was a spiritual experience as we prayed no harm would come to us.

The Poor House is a nursing home of sorts, housing individuals that families were not equipped to care for. A large variety of health concerns lived in their walls. Arriving at our remote destination we were met by a huge young man wandering the yard, lacking a full mind. He was wearing the only garment that could be found to cover him, a pink dress.

Encouraged to meet the residents, two of them sit foremost in my mind. A nameless gentleman wheelchair bound. Afflicted with leprosy—having lost this toes he could no longer walk. He was a learned man living with his lot in life. The Good Book tells us such people were outcasts, feared that the affliction was contagious.

Another resident we learned was Miss Pearl. Bedridden due to a gun accident by her husband. Bed sores are sure to come if they had not already begun. She too, lived her lot in life; praising Jesus in the process.

I had much to glean from these people up in the mountains of a country not mine. That saying from back in the 70’s comes to mind. ‘Bloom where you are planted.’

Let Freedom Ring!

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© jb katke

Today we celebrate the Fourth of July.  Do you have a fun day planned?

Recently we had some family visiting; which is always a joy. But for the most part I spend my days doing ordinary things. Today may not look much different to the naked eye. Hardly thrill-seeking stuff.

When you have received so much that requires upkeep, I encourage you to feel fortunate. Not everyone has a home with a full pantry, a laundry room and a working vacuum.

Listening to news reports of the unrest worldwide can be a downer. If you feel as though we are losing freedom; that the rules of law seem to change daily. I will share what I recently read. We have the following freedoms:

To express love.

To feel at peace.

To practice patience.

To show kindness.

To live out goodness.

To exercise faithfulness.

To be gentle with others.

To demonstrate self-control.

I cannot take the credit for this list, it can be found in our Good Book; in Galatians 5:22,23. Taking it one step further, the book reads that these freedoms are just that, free. There is no law against any of them. Imagine!

The problem is not everyone is lovely, at peace, kind, good, or gentle. It’s a challenge to be patient with those who don’t trust you and have zero self-control. Welcome to Jesus’ world. Yet the above is exactly what he is doing with me, and possibly you too.

No where will you find that life on planet earth is easy. The world we live in only makes us hungry for a better life. No problem there, right?

To attempt even one of these freedoms is a challenge worth taking. We may never know what someone else is going through. I think it was an Indian that said walking a mile in his moccasins can change our perspective.

I’m thinking it would be hard to not reciprocate the kindness or goodness lavished on me. Someone once said smiling is contagious, we automatically smile back when even a stranger lays one on us. And hugs don’t cost a cent, yet can warm even the hardest heart.

But it doesn’t stop here. The Good Book says in trying to follow these freedoms, we will be blessed ourselves. Who among us couldn’t use a little heavenly perk?

Have a Happy, safe and maybe a challenging fourth of July!

Mom

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© jb katke

My assignment is nearly complete. I will confess it wasn’t an easy one.

My son requested I write about my mother. She died when he was a young boy. The task brings up memories, some that had been long forgotten. Others tended to be painful, only because it put me in a bad light. I suppose that cannot be helped, and chose not to add those to her memoir.

As a daughter, everything is written through my eyes. The memories bring twenty-twenty hindsight of an immature child. Today I know better than to say and do what I did then.

Mom did the best she could without access to child psychologists or You Tube to come to her aid. She never held an infant in her arms until my brother was born. Being the firstborn, he broke the ice of motherhood. Although, probably nothing could have probably prepared her for me. Don’t you find it interesting how different siblings can be while having the same parents, growing up with the same experiences together?  

As I wrote, my mind traveled back to those last days of her life. Reliving them, watching her weaken as time went by. Mom passed away at the ripe old age of sixty-one. By todays standard, that’s young.

We are about to celebrate the mothers in our life. It used to be we only had one, and in some cases, still is. But the adopted child is doubly blessed; born in the womb by one, and in the heart of another. Both equally vital. Then there are step mothers that have to outlive the stigma of being evil. Not all of them are you know.

Let’s not forget our mother-in-law. Mine was a keeper. She raised the man I fell in love with and married. Have you ever thanked yours for your man? I did and would recommend doing it, your words will be much appreciated. It’s not easy building a little boy into a loving, responsible husband. Particularly if yours is a single mom, trying to fill the role of two parents. I haven’t forgotten we are honoring mothers today, but there is much to be said for a dad in the house too; setting a manly example.

All this to say I salute you mothers. Wear you badge proudly. It’s unfortunate that with our badges come tired eyes, thunder thighs, saggy breasts, and varicose veins. Oh yes, wrinkles too. It’s okay, you have earned them all through years of service and self-sacrifice.

Keep in mind, Jesus doesn’t make mistakes, not with the children under your roof, not your appearance. Both of them give us something to work with. Yes?

Fred Returns

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There comes a time when ya gotta give up. We named him Fred.

He’s back. I posted about him in the Near Surrender To Fred blog. We are now in our second year of hosting Fred. Uninvited I might add.

We have had the annoyance of a cowbird seeing it’s reflection in our window. Fred demands mating with it and will not take no for an answer. He ignores his female counterpart at the feeder.

The screens came down to protect them from damage. Fred now has free access to perching on our window sill with frequent body slams trying to get at its reflection. One would think he would get the hint or knock himself silly.

Covering the window with aluminum foil, we thought the shiny surface would deter it him becoming a nuisance. No such luck. Swapping the aluminum foil with cardboard was considered, but talked ourselves out of it. To be effective, it should be placed outside the window where the spring rains would make a mess of it.

Either way, our vision outdoors was blocked. What really angers me is Fred is keeping the humming birds away. I have worked hard at drawing them, all to no avail now.

Anger is putting it nicely; I want to kill him. Wouldn’t you know, Jesus had something to say about a birds.

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. (Matthew 10:29 NLT)

I bet that applies to cowbirds too, so murder is out of the question. That blasted bird is holding us captive.  On our pleasant days we have been unable to open windows for the lack of screens.

Dave has done a little research and learned a further reason to hate Fred. Cowbirds lays eggs in other bird’s nest. If the home-owning bird returns home to find foreign eggs, it kicks them out. The next time it leaves the nest, that ornery cowbird kicks out the homeowners eggs. Talk about squatters taking over, I have nothing nice to say about him.

In the past, I have wished to learn the various bird calls to know who is ‘singing.’ I have learned the cowbird; he is still lurking about. Any ounce of Christianity I have is quickly evaporating.

Until I continued to read what Jesus has to say about people v birds.

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.            (Matthew 10:31)

Clearly Fred knows enough scripture to not fear the evil intent of my heart. As a last resort, we have placed a wood owl wall-hanging Dave made in our window. Fred seems to be keeping his distance now. That was then, now he charges the owl, daring it to a duel.

Perhaps I should be content that the good Lord values me above a bird, regardless of my heart. It almost makes me want to surrender my anger to play nice to this creature God created. After all, it is people that God created to be his own image, not some birdbrain.

Last years words remain true, I still dislike him. Forgetting the aluminum foil of last year didn’t work, I once again suggested it to Dave. Not to mention that it would likewise keep the humming birds away as well.

As we talked the situation through, I mentioned if we had dark screens, Fred might not see himself. With that, Dave disappeared. I guessed our conversation was over.

Unbeknownst to me, Dave had some dark screen in his shop. He swapped out the screen with the dark one, and voila, Fred quit body slamming the window!

Problem solved. I hope.

The How of Jesus

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© jb katke

Easter season has arrived, putting us in the middle of what is known as Holy Week.

Does your week feel holy? Mine doesn’t either. But a lot went on, oh so many years ago.

We know it’s not another day in Paradise. A Paradise that once was. It can make one pause, wondering what happened?

Evil entered the scene. You and I have seen a lot of that and possibly been a part of wrongdoing.  Because God is holy, and cannot dwell with sin, he left our planet.

I can assure you Easter is not about the coloring of eggs or hiding them. Nor a bunny. Last week my blog, Marital Death, featured the why of Jesus. Today I ponder the how of Jesus.

He and his dad could be considered a mystery were it not for the Good Book. Because our finite minds cannot grasp all the info his book carries, some things remain a mystery. Like the son Jesus, the father God, and Holy Spirit all being One Person. From cover-to-cover God reveals himself, speaks of creation, zeros in on people groups, moving on to families and their foibles. He continues covering religious scholars and sending his son to earth on a mission.

That mission was when things turned ugly. Really ugly. Jesus was not well received by everyone. His words came across as outrageous, calling himself the Son of God. People were clinging to his message of hope, putting the religious leaders of that time into a snit.  He was perfect in every way; the religious scholars were not. They felt the man must be stopped.

By way of an unfair trial, mocked for who he claimed to be; defying him to save himself. Jesus endured a beating of leather straps with bone on the end tearing into his back. Thirty-nine lashes was the norm, just one short of what often brought death.

He was forced to carry his instrument for death, a cross, on his shredded back. His wrists and feet were nailed, yes, nailed to that cross. As if that wasn’t enough, observers watched as Jesus struggled to breathe; taking pleasure in his suffering.

But there were things that didn’t meet the eye. They did not see that Jesus endured this willingly- for them. For you and for me too. Jesus knew this day was coming, he knew what his mission was and the why of it. It was the only way to bring a forever life with God to the people he loved so much. Another thing that went unseen. Jesus carried the weight of all the sin this world has to offer.

Think on that. Jesus took the blame for all of it so that we wouldn’t have to suffer for the absence of God. How did he do it? I don’t like to suffer. It hurts, its hard. Why would anyone intentionally desire to suffer? Jesus holds mankind in high esteem, making it worth it all. More than worth it, necessary.

That isn’t the end of story. Gods’ will cannot be stopped. He didn’t stay dead; he rose from the grave; you might say he disappeared into thin air. Jesus had made a promise. That when he left the world he would send a helper, the Holy Spirit. That spirit gives us what we need. Hope, patience, perseverance and endurance to live like him.

Such as, believing this story which isn’t a story at all, it’s for real.   You can believe it just like you believe in the aforementioned egg. There is the shell, the yolk, and the egg white. Three in one. Just because you can’t visualize God doesn’t make him nonexistent. Gods’ presence is all around us; the harder we look, the more we see him. Consider the wind and waves of the ocean. We can’t explain where it comes from or where its going, but we feel it.

Nor is it by accident that we honor Jesus’ death in the spring. New life is showing itself  with trees budding and flowers breaking the earth. New life is the why and how of Jesus; he brings purpose and meaning to our life with an anticipation for a future with him. A new and improved you!

It’s about relationship. It means living in Paradise forever, with God, Jesus and a whole lot of folks that may have prayed for you. Lets’ face it, we all have heavy burdens to carry. That Holy Spirit strengthens us to keep on keeping on.

By the way, Jesus continues to love us.