BY MY SIDE

Posted on November 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Through troubled waters, you are there, You watch my every move,

You know my thoughts, you hear my prayer, my way you will improve.

The storms of life will come and go, but you will never change,

Through difficult and anxious times, my path you  rearrange,

When trials overtake me and when sin gnaws at my heart,

Stay closely here beside me Lord, and nevermore depart,

Your love will surely bind me Lord,  my life is in your hand,

Abide with me and lead the way to your sweet, promised land.

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SENSELESS

Posted on November 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

To be “senseless,” is to lack the ability to feel. It can also mean useless, unreasonable or unconscious. For someone in my age bracket, senseless can mean the loss of physical sensations like, hearing, taste, touch, smell or see. All of the senses become shaded and void of feeling over time. I guess I could be called senseless for all but one of those senses. I can still see pretty good. I had cataract surgery this year and my vision is better than ever.

There are some senses that aren’t really included in those five physical senses, such as common sense, keen sense, nonsense. The sense to do the right thing – to be proactive – to think things through – to change the way you do things without question. Making changes along the way, our once youthful bodies now sag, lag and often drag. We make adjustments to accommodate our now transitioning and often failing frame. Change is good for the most part but can cause big alterations to our life. Such are the seasons of the year. We adjust to the colder temperatures by donning more clothes. We shed those clothes when the sun hangs around longer. Life is kind of like a metamorphosis in a way. We are constantly changing.

The One that never changes – the One who is always available – the One who is consistent in His love for us – is the One we can count on, even when our faces begin to look like worn out leather shoes. That is one thing that truly makes sense.

 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV

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THANKSGIVING IS OVER – NOW WHAT?

Posted on November 27, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

When one holiday flows into another, we can become overwhelmed with parties, family gatherings, lots of selfies and anticipation for the next one. I recall walking through a Hobby Lobby last July, only to see that all the summer things had been discounted, making way for the Christmas decorations which were already taking over a section of the store. Maybe it’s because we have become accustomed to things happening within nanoseconds in this day of instant gratification. The internet has made it possible for us to jump from one thing to another so fast, that we don’t even have time to enjoy what’s going on in the here and now.

Thanksgiving gets sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. The letdown in January, leaves us without something to celebrate until Valentines Day. Maybe it’s time we enjoy each of those special occasions in the moment, without being so focused on what’s coming next. In other words, slow down and breathe each one in and let the afterglow be enough until the next one comes.

I am at the age where family has become a major focus. The days of raising that family are well over, but the times we continue to spend together are so important to our mental health and our positive moments. As we approach the end of life, we can see our mistakes – our foolish decisions – the bad choices – the innocence, the lessons learned and the hope for a future in eternity. We slow down because we have to. Our bodies no longer are capable of preparing a huge feast. Getting decorations up and cleaning the house are no longer simple tasks. We have a family that pulls together whenever they can. Being together is one of the benefits of that goal.

So, Thanksgiving is over for another year. The pumpkins and fall decorations will be replaced with inflatable Santas and reindeer. Lights will be lit on Christmas trees and packages will be placed under them. The gratefulness of this season should carry over throughout the coming year, but we soon forget all the platitudes become meaningless -and we return to normal living – whatever that is. Being thankful should be a daily activity. Thanking God for all His blessings is a good place to start. Every day should contain our prayers of Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

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CHRISTMASES PAST – part two . . .

Posted on November 26, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My maternal grandmother was always on top of Christmas. She had a lot of grandchildren. They weren’t wealthy – just an ordinary couple of farmers who never failed to remember those they loved. It seemed there was one tradition that always arrived shortly after Thanksgiving. We knew it was coming. Every year it would. Every year we anticipated the contents. What I really remember most about that package was the size of the box. It was huge. in those days, there was no Amazon or special delivery services. She used the USPS to send her packages. She meticulously wrapped each of the contents within. Then she would seal the box with tape, wrap it in brown paper, write the word “FRAGILE” on the outside. I think she tied string around it too. She then would drive to town in their old pickup truck and make the first stop at the post office. Off it went – sealed with a kiss.

The box would conjure ideas of magical gifts, special candy and cookies and lots and lots of love. We would have to wait until Christmas Eve to open the box, but it was always worth the wait. She would send homemade ornaments, socks and underwear, a pair of mittens for each of us. There might be a new box of crayons and coloring books and paper dolls. We would open each package and enjoy the surprises they held. Finally, we would turn the big box into a little playhouse or a prop for one of our plays – whatever suited our fancy.

Traditions come and go. As we get older, we often forget about them completely. Some of them are just too difficult for us to accomplish anymore. This is a special time of the year – not because of the traditions we establish or enjoy, but because the greatest gift to humanity was born into a life of poverty to become one of us. His name is Jesus and His love is bigger than any special box or anything else that this life has to offer. He left His throne in heaven to take our place – to die for us – to live again – to prepare a room for us in heaven. That’s what I call an incomparable treasure available to all of us.

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WE ARE FAMILY . . .

Posted on November 25, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

There’s nothing like a family gathering to get your heart pumping, your eyes alert, your ears partially aware and your hugs so meaningful. The pictures from yesterday show the intensity of watching football on TV – the sharing of fun and games and lot of good food and love to go around. Today, our oldest daughter and her family will depart for their homes far away. Our youngest daughter and her family hosted our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and are always near at hand to watch out for us. Our grand dogs will continue to provide for our need of canine companionship without all the responsibility that goes along with them. Our son will return from Wisconsin, either with a load of venison or empty handed. We’ll see him and his lady and their two doggies soon.

It never fails to tug at the heartstrings, to get together and share family love and then watch as they leave. It’s so good to sit back and enjoy what these special human beings have become. Our grandchildren were all on hand. Each has their own personality and goals for the future. We can see our own children and child rearing days through them.

This has been a year of transition for all of us. Life will go on and growth will continue. Our legacy will be fulfilled through what happens through them in the future. God has so richly blessed us with his tender care and love. Until we gather again, know that we will never let you go. You will all live on in our hearts until we all reunite in heaven.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE BLESSED OUR LIVES SO VERY MUCH.

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BLACK FRIDAY – ORDER IN CHAOS?

Posted on November 24, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Black Friday shopping? No thanks! I’ve never been one to wait for Thanksgiving to end to go shopping the next day for bargains. I’m probably in the 2% of the population that feels that way. Actually, shopping has become more and more of a chore since I entered my eighth decade. I’m not a fan of any kind of shopping, unless I have a cart to hold me up and have one thing to buy. This was the case on the one and only Black Friday I ever participated in. It was about 7 years ago. I saw an ad for a dog bed that was only $5. Since our dog was in need of a new one, I braved the cold weather – waited until later in the day in hopes that no one else would be in the store – went straight to the dog bed department – was deterred by some other special deals. When I finally got to the dog beds, there was only one left. I quickly snatched it up and headed for the checkout.

The trip to the waiting line was a breeze, but once I got there, I was surrounded by about 100 others who were already waiting. Of course, there were more bargains to be had at the waiting area. By the time I finally checked out, my cart was filled with $100 worth of bargains that I didn’t intend to purchase. After an hour of waiting in line, I started to doze off. A new batch of shoppers entered the store and were on a quest to get their own bargains. Hopefully they weren’t there for the dog beds, because I had the last one.

Was it worth it? When I arrived home, I placed the new dog bed in front of our dog. He immediately snuggled into while I collapsed on the couch. I guess it was worth it. Since my solo excursion on that black Friday, I’ve opted for staying at home. I’ll leave the chaos to those with more stamina than this old lady.

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GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD

Posted on November 23, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Today is Thanksgiving, 2023.  It’s time for us to stuff ourselves beyond capacity – to fill every empty cavity with carbs and sugar – a time to forget about calories and just let ‘er rip.  After that, it’s a time to watch football, if you’re so inclined.  If not, you may have spread the newspaper advertising for Black Friday all across the room.  You make this part of the tradition of Thanksgiving. Seems there are lots of traditions for Thanksgiving.  It’s time to share a meal with those you love – not to discuss anything political – stuff your face – eat some more pie.  You will suffer from indigestion, fatigue, stress, anticipation – just to name a few results of Thanksgiving.

You gather at the dining room table, trying to put twelve people around a table for six.  By the time you’ve finished eating, you can barely move so you find a place to stretch out and catch a few winks before your favorite team comes on the tube.  Those few winks can turn into a rip roaring, loud and imposing sound of snoring and sleep assisted by Tryptophan.  When you wake it’s time to hit the stores for all those magnificent prices. There are sales everywhere. This year they started yesterday.

Talk about the perfect situation for renewing relationships and starting over.  It’s a time to forgive and forget – feel nostalgic – overindulge a little and have fun. It’s also time to thank Jesus for another day – a special day – Thanksgiving.

May your blessings be many.  May you walk through life with the Lord at your side.  May you be shielded by His presence as you venture into the world of retail.  Remember this:

What did the turkey say to the computer?   “Google, google, google.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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WE ARE ALL PILGRIMS

Posted on November 22, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

“I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.” Charles Spurgeon

In 1621, in Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, two separate cultures came together to share in the bounty of the harvest. Many folks today would like to forget about this event, because of the greed of the early settlers and their eventual stealing the land belonging to those they first met after landing from a perilous journey across dangerous seas. We can try to cover up our history – especially the dark parts of it – but it remains part of who we are as a nation. We’re made up of many races – religions – ethnicities and cultures. To do away with the truth of how we came to be, is to cheat future generations from our earliest beginnings.

When you think about the melting pot we’ve become over the past few hundred years as a nation, there is a progression of humanity that continues to invite all to enter her ports and harbors for refuge. This is part of why we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s not about the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It really should not be about the food and the extra calories and overindulgence. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for all He does to provide for our needs and beyond. We may travel many years, through the perilous storms of life, but God remains unchanging. He continues to be with us through each one of them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF MY BLOGGING COMMUNITY AND ALL THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLESSED MY LIFE.

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A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH

Posted on November 22, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

On that dreary November morning, I sat in my office chair, daydreaming about my recent engagement and upcoming wedding.  As I pondered the most important event to happen in my life, a customer entered the office.  “Have you heard,” she said, “they’ve shot the president.” I felt like a character from the past – an insignificant piece of a massive puzzle – knowing that I was part of one of the most historical events of my lifetime.  President John F. Kennedy had fallen victim to an assassin’s bullet and lay dead on an operating table.  The story began to unfold as we watched the scenes repeated over and over on our television screens.

As the events of this current tale of terror exploded rapidly, we watched the victim’s wife reach for the secret service man behind the convertible.  We saw her covered with her husband’s blood – her pink suit forever stained with crimson.  We witnessed the pursuit of the assassin and his eventual arrest and confinement.  We were glued to the screen as he was moved to a different area only to be confronted by a night club owner with a gun. We saw the assassin shot to death in an instant. It was like a bad nightmare coming true.

We looked on as a new president was sworn into office, while the dead president’s wife stood stoically alongside him – a look of dismay and shock on her face.  We suffered with the young children who were now fatherless – the many brothers and sisters who would mourn their sibling’s demise – the parents who had to endure losing a child again  and a country that would go through the process of grieving along with them.  A parade of dignitaries from many nations wept.  The youngest president to ever govern in the United States was dead.

Conspiracy theories were a dime a dozen.  Everyone had an opinion on who this man was. Was there a mob connection – was the assassin a communist – did he act alone or was he part of a greater plan?  A special commission was assigned to investigate. We were on-the-spot witnesses, watching the rendezvous with death unfold. The president was as vulnerable to death as we all are. 

Alan Seeger was an American poet who fought as a French Foreign Legion soldier during World War One.  This poem was favored by John F. Kennedy who shared it with his wife on the return from their honeymoon. His new wife, Jackie would later memorize it and say it to her husband.  The poem proved to be prophetic in a way, but we all have a rendezvous with that final stage of life.  Like all stories forged in fantasy, their relationship could be described as a great love story.  It continued even after death.

Death is imminent.  We can’t escape that fact.  When we’re convinced that death isn’t final, we’ve achieved true communion with God.

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WHAT DOES ABUNDANCE MEAN TO YOU?

Posted on November 21, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Webster defines abundance as “the state or condition of having a copious quantity of something; plentifulness.” In other words it means a huge amount of material things or talents. From a Biblical standpoint, abundance may refer to having joy and contentment in life, no matter what the circumstances. As we approach a day of giving thanks for all our blessings, it may be a good time to make a list of all of those blessings that make your life full and abundant.

  • A closet full of clothes that either don’t fit or are out of style. More than necessary to get a person through one week of not wearing the same thing every day.
  • Enough food to suffice and often more than necessary. Even when the budget is stretched to the limit, there is abundance.
  • Friends and family you can count on in any situation.
  • The talents God has given you and how you can use them to spread His good news to others.
  • The love and companionship of a faithful spouse.
  • A family that you have equipped with the Word of God.
  • A job that helps to provide for those you love. That same job, which gives you satisfaction and you love doing every day.
  • Spiritual leaders who inspire and guide you through life.
  • Even in your old age, you have an abundance of help getting through each day, physically, mentally and spiritually. You also have accumulated years of experience and wisdom through those things. Through them you become a blessing to others.
  • Whether good or bad, your health can determine how you look at life.
  • Your aches and pains – Even when your body is crying out in despair or discomfort, you can rejoice in the fact that it won’t last forever.
  • Your financial, relational, emotional problems can be considered stepping stones for the future.
  • In times of war and violence, you have the peace that you are living in a country that has not yet been devoured by them.
  • Knowing that we are merely visitors here on earth. Our true home awaits in heaven.
  • You can be confident and assured that you are not alone in your walk on this planet. God is always with you. He will never give up on you. He loves you unconditionally. He gave His life for you. He created you and He knows all about your thoughts and concerns.
  • You are a child of God and an heir of eternal life.

I could go on and on with this list, but I think you can understand what I’m talking about. We’ve been blessed beyond measure with an abundance of gifts. So many that we can’t even list them all. Unfortunately, we often forget all about those blessings for the rest of the days of the year.

” May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11 ESV

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THANKSGIVING WEEK

Posted on November 20, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

This week started with a Thanksgiving dinner at our church. It had been a tradition for some time to enjoy a potluck feast the Sunday before the actual holiday – that is until the pandemic. Three years of isolation, with concern for spreading the disease caused that practice to cease. The best part about an event like this is the fellowship. My church is comprised of caring, thoughtful people who share our faith. We sometimes meet for breakfast during the week if we can. This wonderful group has become a support group, a special collection of believers, friends, lifter-uppers and a family of sorts.

This week will be filled with family, friends and an assembly of those we love. There may be some differences within those groups, but for one day a year, we tend to set those issues aside and gather together to give thanks. Unfortunately, it has also become a time of discord for many. Those who have parted ways from the family – those who have changed their political views from yours – those who have drifted from the beliefs of their youth – those who have health or mental issues. So, in those cases, the thanksgiving part of the holiday might get lost in translation. When you think about all the people who have touched your life in the past year, you will probably come up with many. For example – it may be someone who did something against you. It could be a nurse or doctor who intervened in a specific illness. It could be the family member that is struggling with a financial crisis. It might be one you haven’t heard from in a long time. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to set those issues aside and concentrate on the positive affect these same people had on you during this time.

We give thanks for God’s bounty. We give thanks for His mercy, grace and love. We give thanks for His guidance. We give thanks for the positive things in our lives. Do we give thanks for the negatives that may have happened? Do we thank God for those who would hurt us? Do we thank God for our problems – financial, emotional, relational or physical? The things we hold dear are not hard to give thanks for. The others, not so much.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving Day, let’s try to remember how each of those negatives brought a positive result. Maybe it’s the lessons learned. It could be a complete change of opinion. It might even lead to a deeper relationship with the person that caused you harm. God uses all of our experiences to teach us – to grow our wisdom – to prepare us for the final banquet that waits for us in eternity.

Give thanks for your enemies, because God has a plan for both you and them!

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HARVESTING BLESSINGS

Posted on November 19, 2023 by atimetoshare.me 
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER - Watercolor grapes by Kathy Boecher & Acrylic grapes on the vine by Paul Boecher

Colors of autumn –  scarlet, amber and gold,

God’s palette enlivens the fields we behold,

Each seed that was planted, its fruit has been sown,

A bountiful harvest among dirt and stone,

His Word bears good fruit, a banquet sublime,

Waits for us in heaven when it becomes time,

But while we continue to walk on this earth,

His truth to the world will offer rebirth,

Time soon will run out. there’s much work to be done,

Tell the world about Jesus and the victory He’s won.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, discipleship, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

CHRISTMASES PAST

Posted on November 18, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Well, it’s only 36 days until Christmas. Have you started your gift shopping? Most shopping today is done online, but there is something enchanting about going to the mall or a local store to “feel” the excitement of this amazing season. The stores are magnificently arrayed in red velvet, gold, silver trimmings and sparkles are everywhere. It’s like a fairy tale filled with one beautiful sight after another. I grew up in the 1940s and 1950s, so we were also treated to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Milwaukee. My grandmother lived in an apartment on National Avenue, which is where the festive floats made their way down the street, accompanied by several high school marching bands. We had the best seats in the house when it came to the beating of the drums and the roar of a chorus of trumpets.

At that time, the best gift for little girls, was a Nancy Ann Abbott Story Book doll. Nancy started her doll making operation in 1936 with $125, working from her apartment. From that came a company that swept the nation. Her dolls were based on story book characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales. To receive one of these dolls, was on every girl’s Christmas list. The fact that my grandmother was a seamstress, I could look forward to lots of extra doll ensembles for my doll to wear. The dolls came in a pink polka dot box. As soon as the wrapping was removed, it was apparent that the recipient knew exactly what was inside before opening the box.

Time has passed. Dolls have gone through a history of their own. From the Story Book Dolls to Barbie, Cabbage Patch, Chatty Kathys and currently the American Girl Doll. I recall one Christmas, taking my granddaughter to the American Girl Doll store in the Mall of America. I was almost as excited as she was to purchase her first one. Like the Story Book Doll, the face was pretty much the same on each one, and they weren’t especially pretty, but a child could choose from a variety of styles. Most of the time, they would choose one that resembled themselves. The trip to the mall was to be the start of a new tradition for us, but when we arrived, the American Girl Doll Store was closed for a private party. Both of us were highly disappointed. In order to soothe our broken hearts, we went to have dinner, which would be followed by a visit to see Santa. By the time we got to see him, his little village was ready to close! Being the fierce grandma that I am, I confronted one of the elves and I insisted that my grandchild get her turn to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. I think they saw the fire in my eyes and agreed to let her in.

In spite of that, she did get her American Girl Doll as well. I felt vindicated and pretty good about standing up to the man in the red velvet suit.

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COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING

Posted on November 15, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

In just one week our South Carolina family will arrive to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. One of their sons is now living in Illinois, so he will drive to get here in time for the festivities as well. The Thanksgiving feast will happen on Friday. Instead of going shopping we will be on a different schedule than most of the country. Our youngest daughter will host the party and she and her family will prepare the feast. We will be missing our son and his lady since it is hunting season in Wisconsin and tradition has always placed him there for the holiday. There’s really nothing better than a shot in the arm filled with family. As I think of all that’s happened within just the last year, there is so much to be thankful for. Each morning brings this simple prayer to our lips – “Thank you, Jesus, for another day.”

Somehow the holidays exemplify almost every emotion on the spectrum. We’re happy, sad, grateful, excited, touched, deeply moved and so much more. Many who suffer from depression, find the holidays a time of remorse, grief or self-pity. Being grateful for a life filled with sorrow would seem not to be an option. Many suicides occur during this time of supposed joy and gratitude. There is pressure to put on a great spread – to serve amazing food – to extend the budget to the max buying special food and drink. There are the gifts to purchase and wondering how much more our credit cards will stretch. It is a formula for depression when you become overwhelmed by it all.

God wants us to be grateful for His gifts. He showers us with so many every day. Taking time to thank Him should not be a chore or a special day. It’s something we do because we truly are thankful for our blessings. God doesn’t need our gratitude. He’s God! But think of all that He has given you today and every day. I’m not talking about material things, but things that truly matter. For us, that simple prayer says it all. “Thank you, Jesus, for another day.”

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

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THE INFAMOUS WALKING STICK

Posted on November 14, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My post this morning referenced a walking stick my husband, Paul uses. It is finely crafted with the addition of a horse’s hane at the top. It fits nicely into his hand and always causes a comment. It has also used this stick from time to time as a weapon. Some of you wanted to see what it looked like.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

WAITING IN WAITING ROOMS – PART TWO

Posted on November 14, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Within the last week, we’ve found ourselves sitting in waiting rooms again. I wrote about this a couple of months ago while sitting in the above waiting room for Paul to have his shot in the eye for macular degeneration. I can’t begin to imagine this procedure and fortunately God has left me with one remaining sense which happens to be my eyesight. The rest of me could be considered senseless. As we are in the final stretch of a lifetime, these waiting rooms have become like a second home of sorts. Last week, Paul had a CT scan and blood work to see what was going on with his cancer. The next few days later, we met with the oncologist. The results were remarkable. Paul’s tumor is shrinking. His blood work was all in the normal range and his vitals were right where they should be. Praise God! The oncologist found these results unexplainable, but we know that God is the reason for this good news. Still, cancer remains in his body and we will meet again in January to see if anything has changed. (without explanation.)

These waiting room experiences are becoming a sort of refuge for the time waiting. I’m beginning to become an extrovert as I talk to those waiting along with me. Yesterday, I almost felt like I was becoming a clone of my husband. Before he was called in for his appointment, he’d struck up a conversation with a fellow who was waiting for his wife. It began with reference to the walking stick Paul carries to brace himself these days. It’s a homemade stick which has some intricate patterns whittled into it by Paul. The top part of the cane was formerly attached to a horse’s hane. It is quite interesting and almost always begs a comment or two.

This time it was my turn to talk. Once Paul was called into the Dr.’s office, I picked up where he’d left off. The fellow seemed to be in need of someone to talk to and most everyone else in the place was glued to their phones. He talked about his time in the Marines in Viet Nam. He spoke about his retirement home in the north woods. We shared the many ailments that we go through as we get older. After 45 minutes of waiting, I felt as if I knew the guy’s full life story. His life, like ours, has been filled with ups and downs. Many of his friends have passed away – he has suffered several heart attacks – and has had to change his lifestyle over the past few years. I could totally relate. I told him about the challenges we’re facing right now and the peace we have with our decision not to opt for any treatment for Paul’s cancer, knowing that life doesn’t end when we die. It was an opening for discussion about God. I discovered that the man was a churchgoer, but he had doubts if there would be a place for him in heaven.

I don’t consider myself an evangelist and I often have doubts if I will make it through the pearly gates, but the door was open. ‘So we talked about faith and the free gift of heaven. As we talked about all this, I could see a younger woman taking interest in our conversation. She joined in. It was like an instant connection all around. You never know where God is going to use you each day. For me, yesterday it was a waiting room. When Paul returned from his visit with his doctor, he was stunned to find me engaged in conversation and laughter with a new set of friends. So was I. It was a good day.

Posted in aging, cancer, Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

HOW DO YOU COPE?

Posted on November 13, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

We all go through times of distress in this life. Whether it be a financial issue, a relationship problem, a life shattering illness or a test of our faith, each individual will at some point in their life find trouble coping. How do you cope with the difficulties of every day? For me, it often involves tears. Lately, my emotions have been on an emotional roller coaster. Tears dry out eventually, but the ups and downs persist, and each day seems to present more difficult decisions.

One of my favorite Psalms is 139. Read it slowly to yourself and put yourself in the Psalmist’s place as you do. The first few verses talk about yours and my value to God. He knows us inside and out. He was in our existence before ever came to be. How powerful is that? God lives in us every day. He is in our thoughts, our prayers, our living, our dying, our goals and dreams, our sadness and joy. He never leaves us. I would call that an amazing piece of comfort when we have difficulty coping with anything. The King of Creation, the maker of all things, the one and only God loves us. He loves us more than we can possibly love each other. His is an unconditional love = no strings attached – free and clear,

As the Psalm goes on, it refers to that tight relationship between us and our maker. We can’t hide from Him, no matter how we try. He knows our mind, our heart, our emotions, our losses and sadness. He even knows how we struggle to live in faith when difficulties come our way. In the next few verses. we read that God was there at our conception. He was responsible for the great mysteries within our bodies – the impeccable design – the intricate patterns created by His touch alone. He created the genetics, the DNA, the workings of each part of us. Yes, you and I were made by God. His love for His creation is impossible for us to comprehend.

So, we ask Him to search our hearts. To give us understanding and wisdom. To continue to be with us in all the challenges we face each day and to show us, through His Holy Word, that He will never leave us. We are not alone in our fears. We are always surrounded by His perfect love. We are cuddled tightly within His protection. We have the assurance of perfection after death and into eternity. In this life, we will experience heartache. We will hurt emotionally. We will be faced with troubling decisions. We will cry out for comfort, but we can live with confidence, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.

Posted in aging, anxiety, God's promises, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Posted on November 12, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The old flour mill stands as a fortress, beside the rambling Rum River,

An icon, once thriving, once useful – a place where industry grew a small town into a big city,

Now inoperative, surrounded by the ruins of yesterday, but still it stands,

We’re much like these old relics from the past,

We’ve served a useful purpose for a lifetime,

Then become tired, sometimes broken down and beat up,

But still we stand,

This building has been repurposed, despite its unproductivity,

Today a museum – a tribute to those who built it –

and served the community around it,

We also stand as antiques, old fashioned, decrepit, useless.

But we continue to have a purpose,

Life continues, we go on, we see that we still have value to society,

Growing old doesn’t have to mean dying,

We can live on through what we’ve given as a lifetime legacy,

We live with purpose until the very end,

Where we’ll continue to stand.

Posted in aging, America, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

IN FLANDERS FIELD

Posted on November 11, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART BY KATHY BOECHER – POETRY BY JOHN MCRAE (1872-1918)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This beautiful poem, written by John McCrae, declares the need for us to remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in defense of their country. The poppy itself is a flower that grew in abundance wildly across the field of Flanders where many lives were lost during the first World War.  The imagery of red flowers growing amongst bloodied soldiers is not only a vivid reminder of the cost of war, but the bravery exhibited during battle.

In ancient times, the poppy was used as an offering by the Greeks and Romans for the dead.  The opiate effects of the drug extracted from this flower, denote sleep – a numbing that overtakes the mind in the face of the enemy – but no amount of numbing can take away the memories these warriors face on a daily basis.  The scars of war are often more invisible and internal than physical. The blood red color also is a reminder of the cost of military engagement.  More precious than any accolades delivered later.

Heroes most often don’t consider themselves any different than anyone else who loves their country.  We all have the capability to come through in the time of extreme distress, when we place our faith in the greatest hero of all time – Jesus, Christ, our beautiful Savior.  His heroic death on the cross and resurrection on the third day is proof that he actually overcame death for all who believe in Him.

Facing the enemy as youth, with only basic knowledge of battle – unknown fears – displaying courage in spite of seemingly untold odds – pushing on for a cause.  This is what it takes to be a hero.  The men and women who served their country in this way deserve to be honored not only on Veteran’s Day, but on every day of the year.

Posted in America, Uncategorized, Veterans Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

PAST SINS

Posted on November 10, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

There are times when old mistakes come back to haunt me. Even though I know that Jesus has paid for every one of them, they still live in my mind like a smoldering ember. I think that even believers in Christ’s loving forgiveness can struggle with this problem at times. We forget about God’s unconditional love for us and think we have to fix things ourselves. The devil is very cunning. He knows our weaknesses and he uses them to his advantage. God gave up everything so that we could have it all. We can be assured that even those past sins have been paid for.

Even though ALL of our sins have been forgiven, does not give us a free pass. That gift from God should remind us of the debt we owed and the price He paid for our release from the darkness of Satan. Because of our gratitude, help us to be as forgiving, loving, sympathetic, kind and compassionate towards those who hang on to darkness. Jesus gave His life for us. We owe it to others to share God’s grace with them.

Thank you, dear Father, for caring so much for me that you paid the ultimate price. May I in gratitude begin to look forward rather than back, and let others know that their ransom has also been paid. Amen!

Posted in aging, forgiveness, grace, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments