Tag: Relationships

Miracles Abound!

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©jb katke

What you see here are both the culprit and the recipient. Okay, maybe I hand a hand in it too. Literally.

Cleaning the family room (some might consider that miracle)—I foolishly tried moving these candles at the same time. They are weighty little things and I did not have a good grip on them. One came crashing down on that glass table top. Visions of broken glass ravaged my mind—not to mention the price of replacing said glass that was custom-made.

Nothing happened. So typical of our worst thought scenarios, yes? It is a little thing that could have been big—but now, after the fact, is a huge miracle.

That was not the first of our holiday miracles. A second is the developing relationship with our great-grandchildren. I had a hand in that as well. Do you have children in the family that live a distance away?

Here is what I did. Based upon the child’s birthday, I send a little note with a picture of myself or Papa every three months. They are little and some cannot yet read, so I keep my words to a minimum—but something that may interest them and share what we are doing in our life. In-so-doing we are becoming more like the family we are. Recently, in taking some Christmas gifts to them, my efforts were rewarded. A big miracle in our eyes. We all hope to be someone to somebody, right?

Our third miracle happened on our way home from visiting the great-grands. We were within inches of making contact with a speeding vehicle at the gas station. Accident averted. With pounding hearts, full aware of what could have been. A genuine miracle and proof angels do watch over us. There is never a good time for an accident, but especially so at Christmas. It was a miracle to us.

My Momma used to say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I say ditto to the little incidental things that are a big deal in our eyes. While all these are huge to me, they are not the biggest ever.

The biggest one ever I had no hand in. It took place long ago, before I was born. It is the birth of the little baby that we celebrate during this Christmas season. This sweet innocent infant left the riches of the kingdom he lived in, specifically for me. And you.

It was by his choice and plan—to take the blame and die for the wrong we see all around us. That is how much mankind means to him. This. You. So that you might spend eternity together with him. But that choice is yours to make.

See the miracle for what it is. Look closely each day to see the little miracles that only he can work.

Dear Whomever

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© jb katke

Our society has come to this. Beware—a can or worms is about to be opened.

A recent shopping trip to find a birthday card led me to see this. Why doesn’t the card just say it like it is? ‘Whoever you are, Happy Birthday.’ Does that fill you with all the warm fuzzies coming from a loved one?

Me either. Greeting card shopping has become a challenge in recent years. It is hard to come by a card that expresses my wishes. The son-in-law that feels more like a son—the daughter-in-law that is more like a daughter. Just because we didn’t raise them—as most cards indicate, doesn’t mean they are any the less dear.

It goes without mentioning the estranged parents that want to celebrate their child, but the card says “us.” If a divorce took place “us” does not fit. What about the child that determines he is not a he anymore, but becoming a she? Or vice versa.

My mother had a clever saying, “The gravy thickens.”

Relationships have become convoluted. Families are not what they used to be and can easily leave one riding the waves, unsure of what shore they will wash up on.

Except for you and I. There are many that read my words that I have never met. Even so, I want to let you know how much you mean to me. It humbles me that you give time to read my thoughts of the day.

It’s you that helps me phrase those thoughts. While we all live on planet earth, our lives seem worlds apart. The norms of everyday living are vastly different. Yet here we are sharing a moment together. Thank you seems so trite—but I do thank you.

It is not just me that thinks of you regularly. So does Jesus. He played a huge part in creating you and continues to have great plans for your life. That is if you allow him to be a part of it.

What does that look like when you cannot see the guy?

Allow me to share what I have found to be a great help.

Early in my day, I talk with Jesus. Tell him what he already knows. He is great and powerful. (It’s a simple matter of giving credit where it is due) I bring up my family and put them into his hands because I can’t control their day or their thoughts like he can. I thank him for things in my own life that has brought me to a closer relationship to him and ask him to guide me through the day. Putting my concerns on his to-do list makes more sense because he is a get ’er done kind of guy.

It’s that simple. You are not a whomever person. You are a big somebody to Jesus. Consider each sunrise to be his greeting card to you. Nothing pleases him more than the two of you sharing life together.

Hope For Ever-After

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A marriage conference is coming soon. Dave and I will not be going. If we haven’t figured out how to get along with each other after 50-plus years of marriage, it ain’t gonna happen. Fortunately, we have and are living in our ever-after years.

Or are you living in coexistence and feel those conferences only rock the boat? You’re at the point where it’s better to live and let live; neither of you willing to change, and this way no one gets hurt.

Consider this: marriage requires a license. It’s a document that confirms medical tests have been passed, no DNA issues will cause concern.

According to the Concise Oxford American Dictionary a license is issued by an authority to own, use, or do a particular thing. This covers a myriad of things:

  • Driver’s license, learning and obeying traffic laws. This keeps others safe from harm.
  • Liquor license, of age and with proper training. Including how to handle alcoholics from harming themselves and others.
  • Electrician’s license, must be trained and abide by state regulations. Making homes and businesses a safe environment.

           I have only named a few, but you get the idea. Safety from harm. I tie this to marriage because there is more that you may not have considered.. The paperwork is signed by witnesses that each party will be devoted to each other for life. Only death should break the contract.

Prior to death, breaking the contract can inflict harm.  I don’t have to elaborate on how, and I understand there are legitimate reasons for divorce. I merely want to consider that it is the death of a relationship. As with a natural death, it takes time to heal from the hurt and loss.

Among the many things we see on a daily basis, our Creator also designed relationship. With others and with him. He gives us free license to choose how we live, with or without him. He more than prefers to have a friendship with us, it is his heart’s desire. The fact is, he created us for a couple reasons; relationship and to tell others about him.

How can others be told if there is no relationship? It takes two people, each having a responsibility in maintaining it. I am here to tell you; our Creator always keeps his word. Refer to the Good Book to see what his part is. It is all good.

Some may argue that point. Life can hand out some hard things. I have cracked open the book a few times and have read things saying, ‘I have a plan for you, I will lead you, I will provide for you…’

I cannot begin to list them all. But I can say those things can happen in a supernatural way. Like any relationship, it requires faith, trust and yes, there is hope.