Tag: Overwhelmed

Have You Been Robbed?

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Has the evil Grinch Dr Seus created in his children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas robbed you of all seasonal good will? It takes no effort on our part to feel overwhelmed from the things associated with Christmas. How can a person keep Jesus in mind as we celebrate his birth?

The words I share with you today are not all mine. Recently I listened to a message from missionary, Joy Owens, on how to keep our focus on the true message of Christmas. She helped me see references in the Good Book on how to get through the busy days ahead. I wish to share them with you.

Did you make a to-do list? Joy did.

  • Christmas lights: John 1:9 tells us Jesus is the light of the world.
  • Santa Claus: The original St Nick was Nichalos of Bari, a Greek Bishop known for his many miracles and love of secret gift-giving. He is the forerunner for who we recognize as Santa today. The Wise Men brought gifts to the new baby king.
  • Christmas tree: Think of the history in your ancestry family tree. Some were good, others not so much. The first chapter in Matthew lays out Jesus’s family tree. Notice the imperfection of some folks. Yet Jesus came from those roots. He has the ability to make goodness come regardless of your background.
  • Family dynamics: Despite our best laid plans of what must be, consulting Jesus’s will is crucial.  Jeremiah 29:11 says Jesus has his own ideas meant for our good.
  • Baking: John 6:58 says Jesus is the true bread from heaven.
  • Music: Many of the Christmas carols we sing carry the message of Jesus. Think Joy to the World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, and more currently, Mary Did You Know?
  • Traveling: Are you planning a trip to see loved ones? Keep in mind the shepherds that traveled to see the newborn baby, the Wise Men noting a bright star and followed where it led, and Joseph and Mary traveling to be part of the census. The one that traveled the farthest was Jesus coming from heaven to earth.
  • Spending money/Gift -giving: It takes time and sacrifice in giving to those we love. Reflect how much it cost Jesus to offer his gift of salvation. His is the to-die-for kind of love.
  • House-cleaning: Forget the house, it will only get trashed with festivities anyway. Instead follow the words of Psalm 51:10. Ask Jesus to give you a clean heart, a renewed mind, and a right spirit.

Let the above words bring joy back into your holidays. Jesus did not arrive in a nursery months in the making, but a stable meant for animals. He is a simple son of God, known as our Messiah, Savior of the world. Allow him to restore your Christmas spirit so you can enjoy the peace he brought to earth.

My Invisable Helper

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© jb katke

Well folks, it’s happened again.

Some mornings I wake feeling defeated before the day begins. I hate it when that happens. The problem is I get easily overwhelmed. I have more to do than there are hours in a day. Retirement just ain’t what I imagined. Do ya know what I’m sayin’?

Then I remind myself, for most women, retirement is an illusion. You are familiar with the workload of a homemaker, so there is no need to elaborate. Grandma Andrews once told me, “A housewife never lacks something to do.” Those are true words if I ever heard them.

While I don’t do the gardening or canning grandma did, I do have one little teeny tiny task that makes all the difference in my world. I’m writing a book, and I am here to tell you that is difficult to accomplish. Particularly when I never dreamed, or set out to write. Ever. Period.

As if waking with a crummy attitude isn’t enough, I find myself behind in my allotted time reading the Bible. So, I picked it up this morning and the following is what I read,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress…”                                                                                                         Hebrews 12:1 NLT

It is uncanny how often when I am playing catch-up in my reading, I come across a verse that speaks to where I am at in that moment. I interpreted that to mean, others are watching. Girl, God’s got this. Don’t let little things get you down, there are others that suffered far more grief than you will ever know. There are people rooting for you

I continued reading.

“So, take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet…”                                                                           Hebrews 12:12 NLT

The fact that God doesn’t make mistakes, wrestles in my mind and heart. The waters I tread are strange to me. Writing a book takes a truckload of effort; keep moving forward one step at a time. A saying comes to mind, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

My aim is not to spook you, but experience points to a supernatural experience.

People and circumstances have come to my attention making this a doable project, showing me the next step. I will tell you this. Never will I look at a book the same again. Authors literally pour themselves into the art of writing, not for the money, but because they either have a message to convey, or a desire to entertain.

As usual, when I read the Good Book, I feel strengthened and encouraged. Today is no different. I still find myself challenged, but God’s got this, it was His idea in the first place. My writing coach feels I will have book in hand yet this summer. She thinks great things of me because she knows an invisible Helper is by my side. Stay tuned to my continuing saga.