Permissible Remains

© jb katke

Mom used to refer to leftovers from dinner as remains. Hardly exudes an appetite, no matter how  disguised it is for another meal.

I have fabric scraps lingering from a quilt project that I hope to never repeat again. These little squares take up valuable real estate in the quilt room, and their presence gets in the way of  my moving forward. To address the situation, I am making quilt blocks for a future quilt I may never make. Translated: the real estate now has become a larger storage issue.

Do you have past experiences that you wished had never been? Regrets that weigh you down today, even though the occurrence was long ago?

Some things cannot be disguised. Not in food. Not in a quilt. It is the most uncomfortable of ruts to live in. So—don’t. Give yourself permission to do something about it.

Moving forward is easier said than done. Harsh words or regrettable actions harden with age. Let it be said here that I do not have all the answers to life’s issues. But today could be the start of a larger-than-life change.

Using the quilt block for instance, I gave myself permission. I told me it was okay to put those tiny little pieces together to make something bigger. They had potential for use and future warmth.

Ill-spoken words cannot be unsaid, but there is room for an updated version that can bring a balm to the soul  and relief from guilt.

Ditto for regrettable actions. Here is a thought. Try mending relationships with new and improved actions. If done long enough, kindness wins. Even if it falls apart, you have made a commendable effort.

Give yourself permission to right wrongs. Life is too short and the burden of guilt gets heavier over time. You are worth the effort. Jesus knows your potential and with a little help from him, it becomes mission-possible.

Fill ‘Er Up

It brings me great joy to share my empty laundry basket with you. Laundry basket

I know, you’re thinking the lady has lost serious brain power. (PS Join the long line, others are way ahead of you)

Allow me to explain myself.

I use this basket as a hamper, and for more years than I care to admit, this basket has been ½ full, with dry cleaning as well as laundry. I won’t burden you with why I didn’t get the dry cleaning done in a timely manner. Let’s agree some things just are and leave it at that.

This year, 2020, I got the dry cleaning done! It may be the only accomplishment I achieve this year. That’s okay.

My real purpose is for you to see what I see in that empty basket. It has potential. It can be used for storage; or as when we moved, packed with all manner of things to get from here to there.

I can almost hear you now, “They’re not perfect for everything with holes in the sides, which limits what gets put in them.” True, but…

That empty basket reminds me of myself. Imperfect, kinda limited in what I can do. But still, good for something. I’ll even go so far as to say Jesus sees me that way too. My potential combined with his help will see me through things I never imagined doing.

Like what? If you have followed my blog from the beginning, you know this was not my idea. I don’t see eye to eye with technology, what computer skills I have generally get me in trouble. More than once I’ve had to issue an SOS to my husband or writing coach.

If you read through a few of my entries, you will get it. I don’t know much, but I know Jesus. I have shared things that I have observed in others, stuff from my own life; some scary and others are kinda funny. Bottom line, though, Jesus has been with me whether I have been aware of it at the time or not.

A good blog will have a purpose to the message. My purpose is for you to see the different ways Jesus is with you too. Be of good heart. I believe mankind has value and something to offer to others. Can ya see it?