Old v New

©jb katke 2025

These mixing bowls are something dear to me. The green and teal ones are all that is left of my mother’s mixing bowl set. I remember her using the full set of four. Social media tells me they are now valuable, something many of the younger generation consider desirable.

When antiquing I am often tempted to purchase what is missing in Mom’s set, but the price keeps me from doing so. If you think prices are high for new items, I’m here to tell you old and used ain’t cheap either.

But that is not the only reason. The large enamel bowl in the picture is part of a set from my grandmother’s kitchen. If I were to complete Mom’s set, I would no longer need Grandma’s set. How many bowls does a person need—when she does not even like working in the kitchen?

Grandma had to work at the kitchen table because her counter was filled to the max. Just as her kitchen was small, so was her table, but one of the chairs was still part way in the doorway to the dining room.

Both my mom’s and grandma’s kitchens were anything but user friendly. Maybe the ‘good ole days’ are not as good as we recall. Convenience was never considered in the design of the home.

With that being said, here we are about to enter a New Year. How was your 2025? It’s interesting how we seem to look forward to the new year when the only difference is the numerals. We are still what we are and circumstances have not changed much, if at all. But there is always hope.

A couple quotes from pastor Charles Swindoll have meant a lot to me: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Another good one is, “We are all faced with a series great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

Let’s try to make this New Year better, different—one to remember. Maybe a new you.

A good start could be found in my latest book, Texting From Jesus, Season 1. Devotionals that give a place for the reader to pen their own thoughts are hard to come by. Your welcome. It is available on Amazon, with more seasons to come.  Each day will have a place for you to write to Jesus.  

If you could text him, what would you say?

©jb katke 2025

Happy New Year!

 

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© of JB Katke

 

The New Year is upon us…ready or not

.As a rule I don’t make New Year’s resolutions.  Why set myself up for disappointment? Unless it’s reasonable. Like promising myself I absolutely will not eat artichoke heart or sushi. That I can pull off. It isn’t my intent to hurt anyone’s feelings if you like them. It’s just far be it from me to take your pleasure away.

I’m hoping this year will be different though. Recently my doctor has been casually mentioning some weight loss for me. Easy to say, hard to do. For me anyway. You may know the verse that says little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice? I am here to tell you years of that stuff turns into Velcro that adheres to waist and hips. I am living proof.

But it’s not just weight I’d like to change. There is exercise (that should actually be a four letter word). Stressing my body is not pleasurable. Some people like it which boggles my mind. Just thinking about it wears me out.

Writing too. Does that surprise you? While I have never been at a loss for words, writing doesn’t come naturally to me. Its work. Blogging exposes me and that’s not comfortable. I’m an introvert. Likewise being with a group of people wears me out as well. My husband doesn’t agree, just because I’m able to carry on a conversation.

All that being said, here’s what I’m hoping for in 2020. I’d like to see Jesus better. I’m well aware he is with me all the time. He knows what is going on in my life. But I feel a little like our relationship is lopsided. He blesses me, but do I give him enough credit?

Here’s my plan, and I expect you to hold me accountable. I feel the need to be quiet as I meditate on his presence more often. It takes time and discipline. But he has made himself known to me on several occasions and it was an amazing experience. I want more of that.

Seeing more clearly in 2020 is wordplay I know, but this might be well worth the effort.