Purpose – One Day Wonders with JBK

Who Am I Now?

March 25, 2025March 24, 2025 Quilter2 Comments

It rarely happens.

Cooking is not my thing, so when a person asks for a recipe, I’m always surprised. And pleased. My daughter Naomi asked for my recipe for pork chops. For the most part cooking does not run in our family blood.

I do have a few good recipes though. Most all come from someone else’s culinary expertise. Copying recipes from another kitchen is no problem to me. Call it survival of the fittest. We have to eat—preferably a meal that is palatable.

A friend gave me a magnet for my refrigerator that says, “Many people have eaten my cooking…and gone on to live normal lives.” She knows me well.

I had a sister-in-law was known for her cooking. It was her identity.

There was a time when I was into quilting. That could have been my identity at the time. But I took a lengthy recess from it. Today I dabble at the sewing machine, going through the motions of quilting.

I’m not sure what my identity is anymore. When the children were little I was the parent or guardian of (name of child.) I was a morning person back then. Not so now. Bedtime is something I look forward to, so I cannot be identified as a night owl. Currently, I think of myself as an early afternoon person. My favorite mornings start off slow—admittedly it does not give me much time to get things done.

This I can say with certainty though. I am a Christ follower. Jesus helps me get my days in order. He brings me peace and a purpose to keep on keeping on. Most of all, a satisfaction at the end of the day.

You can have the same experience. Have a conversation with him about your concerns and see what he does for you.

Heart Medicine

February 2, 2021February 4, 2021 Quilter2 Comments

It doesn’t have to be done this way. But if you do, the treasures you will find!

I’m talking about meeting the challenge I was presented with. From the Good Book, in Romans, pick out one verse and jot down thirty things you learned.

Sometimes an assignment can feel more like a challenge. My heart wanted to select from Esther, but that was not an option.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Roman 8:28 NIV)

The following is what came to my attention:

Know/head knowledge
All things/everything
God caused/allowed/made so
Work/effort
Love God/heart knowledge/in tune to his desires
Good/what is best/beneficial
Them/those of God
Called/made contact/responsive
According/relating to/pertaining to
Together/bound/united/joined/drawn/pulled
His purpose/Gods’ plan/assignment/use

Wow! Who knew so much could be pulled from one verse? Granted, I used more than one Good Book. It isn’t necessary, but if you do, so much more comes to the surface. It’s all good stuff.

Did you know you were created for a special purpose? That it pertains to a divine plan? The things that nag at you could be our Creator tapping you on the shoulder urging you to do the Nike thing, Just Do It?

Here is the clincher. That your life events had a purpose and were preparing for some great work. Allow me to elaborate on great. I’m not talking making the national news. By great, I mean something that you would never imagine yourself doing. But with God’s help, oh my, he makes all the difference in the world!

This is where the rubber meets the road. Maybe some life events have happened that were bad. And God let it happen. That is hard to swallow. Understood.

I know a lady that had a terrible childhood and in her adult years had a destructive marriage. That is behind her today because she turned her life around. It can be done. I witnessed it.

But why did she have to experience so much heartache?

I don’t have all the answers, but I know who does. Jesus has the definitive answer. What I saw was him strengthening her to make some needed changes.

I almost forgot! There was more to my assignment. I was instructed to rephrase that one verse into my own words. They are:

Because of the love I have for God, I am assured that the events in my life were custom designed to benefit me and can be pulled together in such a way to be of use to God’s unique plan for my life.

That takes a mouthful of faith to live out. Note one of the above words I got was ‘work.’ Faith is a muscle that must be exercised to become strong. Anything worthwhile requires work. Are ya up to the challenge?

Fill ‘Er Up

September 15, 2020September 13, 2020 Quilter2 Comments

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

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?