Tag: Missed opportunities

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.

Vintage Blessings

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© jb katke
© jb katke

Circumstance can be better than they appear.

Looking online, I see class trips after a high school graduation remain alive and well. Did I have one? No. The high school I graduated from was brand new; mine was the second graduating class. There was a reason. There is always a reason for things.

Neighborhoods were sprouting everywhere. Young families with fresh mortgages lacked funds to send their child to a far-away destination just to click a few snapshots for the memory book.

Obviously, I have survived the lack of opportunity.

Spring break season for college students is over. These young’uns are not even degreed graduates, but off they go to pleasure island. Wherever that is. Some off to their death, I should say.

Seven of them, I couldn’t keep counting, I know there is more, but it’s too depressing. These college attendees didn’t return home. Whatever the cause, death seems premature for them, not even getting started in life. The pain of loss is incredible.

Because I didn’t go to college, another missed memory for me. Maybe I should be grateful because I am still alive. And making memories of another sort.

Fast forward to my marriage with no honeymoon. At the time, it was okay. Later on, not so much. I was thrilled to have my man under the same roof forever. Many times’ I have reminded myself of that contentment. It works every time.

It’s been said we could take our honeymoon later. No!

Traveling together later is a vacation, not a honeymoon. I will let your imagination define the difference. We have traveled together more times than I can count and I am grateful for that.

The thing is, it’s all about viewpoint. Mine is a lot of hindsight. There are so many hurts and missed opportunities in life. The stuff we cannot explain the whys of.

But repeating my words above, there is a reason.

A picture is worth a thousand words. How many times I have heard that! And licked my wounds because I had no pictures. However, the lens of a camera doesn’t catch everything. The circumstances that bring us to where we are today. It would be in our best interest to remember that.

To realize there is a God who does know and understands us becomes invaluable. Heck, he made us the people we are. Circumstances have his stamp of approval because he knows what is best. That is why he designed a special place inside each of us that only he can fill to satisfaction. Did you know that?

The Good Lord knows what it will take for us to turn to him. Sometimes it can hurt if I hold onto things so tightly that I should let go. Instead of being bitter, feel protected. He is higher and has a better view of what is ahead for us. He holds tears and heals hurts. That’s a fact.