Seeing The Light

© jb katke

Ya know how you know something, but put it off? You know some things will have to change. But not now; you’re too busy, its takes too much time, or it will have to be when you are free of distractions. A good excuse is one you can use over and over again.

As if this tidbit of knowledge were a deck of cards, you shuffle it, push it down to your never-ending list of things to do, hoping it will fall to the bottom.

Grandma Andrews called it, “reading the writing on the wall.” It is more than seeing the light, it’s acknowledging the light.

For me it’s this writing thing I have going on. My modus operandi of blogging is to speak truth to you. It could come from any direction; experience, humor, or having witnessed. As long as it is real, it’s good enough to share.

This time it was reading the Good Book. A group of people followed Jesus wherever he went, the guy just drew people. Crowds gathered either by word-of-mouth rumors or actually witnessed what he did. He was a miracle-worker and his words were the likes of worthwhile quotes.

The story goes that the day was growing late and Jesus instructed his closest friends to give these folks something to eat. It was time for them to return home, but lived a far distance. They would never make the trip on an empty stomach.

“And just how are we supposed to do that, out here in the middle of nowhere?” was the question.

From seemingly little, Jesus saved the day. He always does. His friends should have been able to see the handwriting on the wall. Jesus’ daily miracles became ordinaries; they completely missed his point.

We know what ordinary looks like. It’s a constant stream of routine; we can easily cease to acknowledge what is right under our nose. A blindness of the obvious, not seeing the light. Not realizing the time is now to be open to change.

Opportunities come camouflaged in seemingly impossible situations. Like the above story of feeding the masses. FYI, I said story, but it’s a true one.

 You may share my question. How can my life be an encouragement to others? I’m only one person; a nobody to most everyone.  Who is gonna listen? But…to Jesus, I am somebody and so are you.

He too lived a life on earth as only one person. Yet Jesus gave hope, he healed, he befriended, he taught, he lead by example, he died, and he rose to life again, just so that we could maintain a relationship with him forever. Now as well as later.

Hopeless situations become Jesus opportunities. The difference is him. The impossible is his specialty. But he wants us to see it, to experience it; to be part of the delivery. It’s crucial that the world becomes aware of his miracles right now.   

Read it for yourself, it’s in Mark 8:1-10. Don’t take my word, take Jesus’. (He is even referred to as the light of the world.)  See the handwriting on the wall and know that Jesus changes this, whatever your ‘this’ is. And be thankful for it!

Treasures of the Heart II

 © jb katke

This is the second of my four-part Treasures of the Heart series. These blogs stem from a long ago journal I gave to my husband.

Dave presented it to me as he was scouting for something else. Looking back, it must have been a difficult time in our life. All marriages have them. As I reread through the entries it brought home the importance of words. Spoken or written, makes no difference.

The first theme I noted was Repairs. Today I focus on another theme that came to my attention. Acknowledgement. We all have a need to be recognized, yes?

Of all the pages of affirmation I wrote, Acknowledgement carried the most entries. Words were even mentioned one day in particular.

“You’re talking more today, that makes me happy. I know you are recovering from the stress at work.”

Can a spouse understand working conditions? She can try.

“I realized you didn’t receive anything positive in your life. Not from work, not from the kids, not from me either. I am the only one that can change that.”

Let’s face it, the workforce does not hand out praise for doing the thing you were hired to do. Children cannot comprehend the adult world. Allies can be few and far between, a sensitive spouse can make all the difference in the world.

My dear treasured husband, this has been a difficult week. Twice you had to deal with uncomfortable circumstances. Addressing them doesn’t come natural to you. But this is what I see, God is at work in your life, giving you the strength to face the moment.”

Even a bad example can be a good one. Having a boastful, arrogant boss who routinely takes credit for your work accomplishments is the epitome of frustration. Being on the receiving end of that provides you the know-how of what not to be.

You know how tough life can be.

“I can tell by your face.”

Home is all we have to let off steam.

As parents, Dave and I didn’t realize how our character impacted the kids. Twenty-twenty hindsight reveals all.

“Years ago Jamie told me he wanted to be a carpenter because that is what Dad and Jesus were. Today he reminded me of how much he looks up to you. The shed key was missing and he had to get newspapers delivered. Anger and frustration spilled over. Looking out the window I saw he was taking the lock off the door so he could get his bike. When I tried to stop him, his words were, ‘Mom, it’s what dad would do.’”

He thought it through-so like his father! I hope that made you as proud as it did me. This is how I wish to end today. Be an overcomer, it is possible with Gods’ help.

One more thing-our son has a career that requires problem solving, much like his father had so many years ago.

Its Just Another Miracle

20200413_221021 © jb katke

You might think, ‘Here she goes again.’ Cue the eye roll. Or maybe ‘I’m so happy…for you.’

Today was like any ordinary day. My husband Dave and I had a few errands to run. I suppose you’re going to remind me COVID-19 is still lurking about and our lockdown continues.

We are doing our best to stay home, but life does go on. Besides we were wearing our masks.

Because of the mask that I had this incident. I lost one of my hearing aids. There is only so much room for things around my ears and I maxed out. My hair is thick, I wear glasses, and donning my mask took me over the top.

I never felt it go or heard it drop. Of course not, we were in a store among other shoppers.

When I finally did realize my loss, I retraced my steps. An employee was near the entrance, when I inquired if he might have seen it?

“No, but I can alert the people at Customer Service for you. “

Maybe it happened in the parking lot. Nope. Inside the car maybe? Nothing.

Thoughts of having to replace it brought me down. We can’t afford this. But I also knew Jesus was on this. Nothing gets by him.

Mentally I started thanking him for how he was going to provide. Either by unexpected funds coming our way or my finding it.

All the while Dave is conducting our shopping with some help from a store employee.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Only finding my hearing aid I lost.”

“Oh, someone found a hearing aid and turned it in at Customer Service. I just heard it on my two way radio.”

Arriving at the front desk, I had to wait my turn to be helped.

I hadn’t even opened my mouth when the clerk asked, “Are you here for your hearing aid?”  I marveled at how he knew what I was there for. Then it dawned on me, I’m old. I look like some lady that would wear hearing aids. The truth hurts.

The reason I share this little saga is I want you to be aware of Jesus in a life. It pleases him to meet our needs. But we gotta acknowledge his presence.

Extraordinary things can happen in an ordinary life. I’m proof.