SO, YOU WANT TO BE A PARENT?

Posted on January 16, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

It all seems so precious and perfect. A couple marries, they have a child, then another and maybe more. What could be better? Well, I am certainly not an expert on parenting, even though I did birth three babies that turned into amazing adults. I wonder how I’d feel about getting the news that I was pregnant at my age today? I mean, look at Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac from the Old Testament. Put yourself in Sarah’s sandals for a moment. You’ve wanted children since you were old enough to conceive. Years went by and it never happened. Your friends all had children and you were overlooked. Your husband had been promised by God that he would be the father of all nations and from his bloodline, the Messiah would come. He had to be thinking, “God, I can’t even tend the sheep anymore. How can I raise a family?”

This sort of thing doesn’t happen today. Although if I was approached by three angels who told me I was going to have a child at 90, I’m quite sure I’d believe them, or at least try to believe them. Then to go through nine months of a pregnancy at that age and the trauma of going through labor and delivery of that child. Well, this week I’m going to talk about parenting for those of you who are considering having a child. These posts are not intended to discourage you. If anything, I hope you decide to have a family. The stories I have to tell are countless and pretty funny to boot. The truth is, there is nothing like it.

Someone once said, it’s the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion on parenting and the most difficult thing to actually do.  Grandparents think they’re experts, because they’ve raised a few.  Friends without children know everything there is about raising a child, because they’ve read all about it on the internet.  Friends with children will tell you it’s a piece of cake, because misery often loves company. Actually, there is no right or wrong way to be a parent.  It’s kind of a “learn as you go process.”

I belong to the old way of thinking, regarding marriage and family and I know I’m not alone in my thinking.  I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman, as clearly stated by Almighty God.  I also believe that the family unit has disintegrated over the years.  I’m not sure how this happened other than the possibility that folks just don’t work hard at marriage anymore. 

OK, I’m old fashioned.  That’s because I’m old and I have a right to be.

When another human being enters the equation, we soon discover their needs come before our own. There will be sleepless nights, bumps and bruises, calls from the principal’s office, fending off bullies, helping with homework and a whole plethora of duties.

The next few days will be devoted to the art of parenting from someone who has lived through it.

Posted in aging, America, Family, God, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

MANY COLORS

Posted on January 15, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART AND POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

A coat of many colors, a gift from dad to son.

Each shade revealed the pleasure in work that God had done,

The tapestry of color with hand stitched threads of gold,

and greens and reds and royal hues was something to behold,

But in that coat lay jealousy from brothers so much older,

They couldn’t quite get past it, their envy turned them colder,

Their plot to do away with him, just wasn’t meant to be,

For God had other plans for them, as He does for you and me,

In dark encounters that we face through this brief expedition,

He shapes us and refines us and gives us definition,

He weaves His Word within our hearts and colors every seam,

He shows compassion to the lost, He shows us how to dream.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE YEARS IN BETWEEN – CONCLUSION

Posted on January 14, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

THE TIME WAS RIPE FOR A SAVIOR

The Torah wasn’t being taught on a daily basis, as it should’ve been. Families were breaking apart. Religion had become geared to the hierarchy and the common folk felt they had nothing to fall back on. We see things like this today as our own country has become so self-absorbed and God has taken a back seat – again. 

This boy, Jesus, who studied diligently with the scholars – who had complete understanding of God’s Word – who was determined to be about His true Father’s business – knew He had a mission to fill. He would bring hope back to the people. He’d show them there was a purpose for their lives. He told them to love one another. He demanded they follow the truth of God in His commandments and laws. He did not come to us, to condemn the law, but to fulfill it.

The young man, Jesus, who worked hard along His stepfather, was obedient to His parents and showed them respect. He ate, slept, drank, walked, wept, laughed like any other teen, but never gave into temptation. He was determined to complete the work He was placed on earth to do. His parables would be well received, because His audience could relate. He would upset the tables of the merchants using the temple area for selling their wares. He called them a den of thieves. He pulled no punches, yet He exuded kindness and comfort.

So what do we know about Jesus? He was the perfect son. His siblings probably didn’t like that too much. He worked hard at a physical job. He traveled by foot to celebrate the Passover each year. He saw the corruption within the synagogue and challenged them. He was strong physically. He was vocally astute, as He later would speak to crowds of thousands and each ear would be open to His words.  He was kind and compassionate and loved everyone. He suffered sadness, depression as He prayed for the cup to pass from his lips. He went through grief, as friends would die and go through illnesses. He witnessed their poverty and hunger and provided abundantly when the time was right. He respected the government, because all government (good or bad) is instituted by God. He was a common man yet had a captivating personality which opened doors and minds for Him. He could heal people from their afflictions, drive out demons, restore life to the dead, because He was not just an ordinary man. In the end He bore the sins of the world as He was tortured and carried His cross to Calvary.

What kind of person would do that? Most folks today think only of themselves. We still have a few who put their lives on the line in their work or in the service of our country, but when it comes right down to it, we have become very self-serving.

When Jesus lived, the world was a mess. He saw all of it. He lived through it. He suffered along with His family and friends because of it. Much like today, everything had turned upside down. They strayed from their laws. The unity of community had died. They again were under oppression. They were ripe for a Savior. They longed for God to send the Messiah and He did. Today, we long for Christ’s return. The time is ripe once more. We know He will come back, because He said He would.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Posted in biography, God, God's plans, history, Jesus, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

THE YEARS IN BETWEEN – FAMILY TREE

Posted on January 12, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Recently, a family member on my husband’s side, took on the task of researching the beginnings of their family. There is currently a TV series, “1923, * which follows the lineage of the Dutton Family, from another TV series called, “1883,” from another TV series called, “Yellowstone.” We sometimes get hung up on wanting to know about our lineage. However, we might become surprised at what turns up. The family tree most definitely is filled with a few nuts, some squirrels, roots that stretch to many parts of the earth, occasionally some lovely birds, but always a lot of interesting information. Jesus’ ancestry is printed out for us in the Bible. Our God wants us to see that Jesus, His only begotten Son, came from a long line of people – some who weren’t ones you’d like to brag about. This lineage shows that Jesus was human, just like you and me, but He was also conceived by the Holy Spirit of God, therefore He was both God and man. Going back to Adam and Eve and God’s covenant to send a Redeemer, we can see how all the pieces of this interesting history fit together to reveal the truth that Jesus was born to save the world.

There were murderers, adulterers, swindlers, liars, the evil and brutal men and women who would be considered the dregs of society. Jesus was not a sinner, because He held the blood of God in his veins. He was a real human being too, with the same problems that faced many of his friends and family members. You can do the research yourself, by reading Luke 3:23-38. We start with Adam and Eve. There were those who had no involvement in the Jewish faith. Ruth married into it when she became Mrs. Boaz. Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba were all women of questionable character. Ruth and Rahab were Gentiles who became part of the family tree. There are many heroes of the Bible, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, along with Joseph, the dreamer, who spent time in prison for being falsely accused of rape. King David was the apple of God’s eye, yet his sins included adultery, lies, coverups, espionage and murder. Even with all those sins, He regained favor in God’s eyes through repentance. David was the warrior king. It was a king like that which the Jews longed for in Jesus’ lifetime, to defeat their enemies.

This long line of begats and begottens is clear evidence that Jesus was the legal heir to the covenant promise associated with David’s throne. Both Mary and Joseph could trace their heritage back to King David and even though Joseph was not the father of Jesus, his genealogy seals the promise doubly. When they went to register for the census, they went to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. The truth of these genealogies is part of the Jewish culture. They were meticulous at keeping birth and death records over the course of time.

The unique mixture of people can pop up in our own ancestry. There are often a few skeletons in the closet, and it was no different in Jesus’ bloodline. This defines His humanity. His relatives were often ordinary, unexceptional people, who would bring forth the most exceptional human being to walk the earth. Yet His blood was fused with God the Father. What a mystery, yet what lovely truth. God uses everyone for a purpose in His already mapped out plan for humanity.

Our DNA holds clues to who we are and where we came from. Those elements played a part in Jesus’ makeup as well. He saw poverty and wept for those who had no food. He even provided meals at times. He struggled as he watched families around him scrounging to make ends meet, yet all He could do was comfort them. He grew angry when He saw how the church had been corrupted and He wept when His friend died. The Old Testament is filled with prophesy regarding the Messiah and Jesus fulfilled them. He was a man of sorrows, having no place to rest His head. He was abused, rebuked, bullied, smitten and afflicted. His hands and feet would be pierced. He would be betrayed and rejected by His closest followers. He saved the world from the grip of sin and death. He was born to one purpose – a man, yes, but also God in every way.

OH COME, OH COME IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US!

Posted in biography, change, creation, Faith, Jesus, Religinn | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

THE YEARS IN BETWEEN – HEALTH ISSUES

Posted on January 10, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

The average life span for the people living in Jesus’ time was between 30 and 35 years. Some made it into their 50s and if they were fortunate, they might even live as long as 80. We know that people suffered from many skin issues. I imagine it being caused by exposure to the sun and other outdoor elements. Some of it may have been caused by bugs, irritating the eyes as they worked outside. To combat this issue, they would pour oil on their heads to keep the bugs away. (anointing with oil.) There are accounts of those with Leprosy, sores and boils. Different names to a lot of the ailments we know today. This disease would cause the loss of limbs and slow death of the body. It was also highly contagious. Separate communities were set up for people with this disease and they were isolated from the rest of society.

There is reference to female problems such as an issue of blood one woman was healed from as a result of her faith in Jesus. Husbands would stay away from their wives during the time of her period. Depending on the culture, many women were brutalized sexually. Sexual organs were mutilated as an act of dominance.  It’s hard to believe, but this still goes on in certain areas of the world.

We hear about Peter’s mother-in-law being healed of a fever that had been plaguing her for some time. She immediately got out of bed and served Jesus. Fevers were common in this time and were considered an actual disease, rather than just a symptom. In fact the Talmud refers to fever as ”fire.”

We know there were physicians. Dr. Luke ministered to Paul when he was in prison – caring for his wounds as well as taking dictation for the book of the Acts of the Apostles. This was all done as Paul awaited his execution by beheading. Several people were healed from deafness, blindness, vocal impairment, lame bodies and demon possession.  All of them by miraculous acts of Jesus and later his disciples.

Today there are cures for most of these things, but people still suffer being blind or losing their hearing. Some never learn to talk. Others have limbs which can be repaired, but there are still scars. Even though the devil has been defeated, he’s still allowed power in a sinful world. I believe he is in the center of mental and emotional illness which might be considered a form of demon possession. We have made many gains in health care today, but we still don’t have a cure for Cancer.

As we know, the Jews had strict laws regarding sanitation and cleanliness. They weren’t immune to sickness, however. They lived in a community of mixed cultures, so there was no shortage of germs. People were coming and going through Galilee on an ongoing basis, so they would bring disease with them. Since pain, suffering and death are all a result of man’s fall into sin, there is no escaping it.

Jesus may have seen many of his friends and relatives die at an early age from some disease. He would’ve seen suffering that we don’t see today, because of the advances in medical knowledge. He had the power to heal everyone, but the time was not yet right. Boys were confirmed in their faith at twelve and weren’t considered to come to the of age of manhood until they were thirty – precisely the age of Jesus when he started His walk to our salvation.

We may wonder if Jesus did anything miraculous when He was a child, but the Bible is very clear on that. When He performed His first miracle at the wedding of Cana, He told His mother that His time had not yet come – but then he changed water into the best wine ever created.

I believe that Jesus, the child, knew He was divine, because He’s God. I also believe He chose not to show that side of Himself until He reached the age of manhood. His childhood gave Him the experience of life as a human being. He experienced acne, growing pains, puberty, temptation and at the same time, He grew in knowledge and wisdom, never falling into sin.

This was all in preparation for the work He came to earth to do.

Posted in aging, healing, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

THE YEARS IN BETWEEN – DAILY LIFE

Posted on January 9, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

DAILY LIFE DURING THE TIME OF JESUS

The sun slowly rises in the east, as women awake from their slumber to prepare for another day.  They meet at the well early in the morning to gather the daily supply of water – water which will cleanse them and their household and with the help of some lentils and vegetables, provide a nice meal for supper. The men tend their livestock.  They fork hay into the feeding trough and begin the process of gathering fresh milk from the cows and goats.  The children stay nestled tightly in their beds for a while, but soon they also will be called upon to help with the daily chores.  They eat a small breakfast and pack a lunch to take with them as they go about their many jobs.  Those who tended the flocks of sheep, stayed with the flocks all the time – only returning home for supplies from time to time – and maybe a much-needed bath.

A spinning wheel and loom sits in the open space of the house.  Wool from the sheep will be spun into cloth which will keep them all warm during the colder weather.  Fresh bread is already baking in the oven. The smells of morning are everywhere.  Even in a town of such insignificance, life goes on.

The town of Nazareth was in the province of Galilee and held no more than 2000 people.  The only merit to it was the fact that it was located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, so it was situated to provide overland passage to Egypt – a fair stop-over for those who were taking their wares to market. There were a few craftsmen – carpenters, cloth dyers, tailors and each had a way of exhibiting their occupation.  Carpenters would wear wood chips behind their ears.  Dyers of cloth would wear colorful clothes.  Tailors would pin needles to their clothing.  None of these was worn on the Sabbath, because they didn’t work on that day.

Here in this little “nothing good ever came from it,” town, Mary and Joseph settled with her firstborn Son, Jesus.  There would be other children, fathered by Joseph, but there was something different about Jesus – the perfect child.  His dad was God, Almighty. Can you imagine what His siblings thought of Him?  The boy could do nothing wrong – it wasn’t in His nature, yet He was fully human.  How could that be?  It isn’t surprising that they didn’t believe in His divinity when He was living under their roof.  Did Jesus know He was divine at that time?  He lived as they did, yet never once sinned.

Jesus was a loving son.  He worked hard.  His hands were calloused and sore from shaving wood and crafting small cooking utensils or pieces of furniture.  He played the games children played at the time – a form of hopscotch – twirling tops – board games that resembled checkers.  His real devotion, however, was in studying the Scriptures.

I wonder how children related to each other in those days.  Were there bullies who would taunt others and make them look foolish?  Was Jesus the object of such ridicule?  In our world today, there’s no question that children can be hateful and mean.  Was it the same then?  We are told that Jesus grew in favor of God and man, so He certainly had a degree of popularity, but that would eventually change.

His life in Nazareth was ordinary.  He ate, played, worked, slept, studied and did all the same things every other child did. There was no money for furthering an education, so they made do with what they had.  There were stories handed down from one generation to another – tales from far off lands regarding what was happening in the world – the Holy Scriptures of God, which told them what was expected of them in this life.  There was no world-wide web nor instant news. In all of it, Jesus offered exemplary behavior and respect for those in authority.

The perfect child was the “good” that came from Nazareth – the Son of God and Mary’s boy – lived an uneventful life until He began His ministry – which would change the world forever.

Posted in acting, biography, history, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

THE YEARS IN BETWEEN – INTRODUCTION

Posted on January 9, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

As an actor, playwright and author, it’s important for me to know many details about a character.  I like to know where they lived – what was happening in his world – what was the political climate – what does the script say about the character – what do others think of that person – does he have any unusual habits or idiosyncrasies?  What was the costume of the era? There are so many facets of a human being that affect who they are and how they come across to others.

In Jesus’ case, we have a whole segment of his life which remains unknown.  From the time He remained at the temple to teach the scholars about the scriptures until the day of His baptism by John the Baptist, we have lost 18 years of his growing into a man.  We can make some judgments based on the history at that time.  We can speculate.  We can make our own story.  We can go to the scriptures, as He did, and realize that during those years of growing in wisdom and stature He became well-liked by those He met, but it would not always be that way.

We don’t always fill in the blanks of a life.  Sometimes there are memories of special events or funny situations – unusual happenings and areas of concern, but for the most part, our growing up years can be quite uneventful.  It is my belief that Jesus was and still is the true Son of God – but also true man without sin.  He had miraculous powers, but He didn’t abuse them.  He had great compassion for those He came into contact with and put no one on a different level than another.  He showed anger, pain, frustration, patience, calm, peace and every emotion known to man, yet He never fell into sin.  He was the perfect example of how we should live as servants, encouragers, inspirers, teachers, leaders in the workplace, at home and within our own country.

This study is merely a character analysis, in light of the events happening during Jesus’ time as a man.  There may be some speculation included from time to time, but I in no way wish to alter the truth of God’s Holy Word.  Come with me as we take a walk back in time and try to discover more about the Savior of mankind and His time.

Posted in acting, Jesus, Lamb of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BABY BOOK OF FIRSTS

Posted on January 8, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

All three of my children had baby books, with information about their size and weight – the color of their eyes and hair, or lack of it – the first smile – the gifts received and so forth. Mary probably didn’t have a baby book to keep track of her firstborn Son. In fact, the Bible says she tucked all these things away in her heart for future reference. With each of my children, the information became less and less, because I was busy being a mother. My third child didn’t even believe she had a baby book until we recently discovered it.

Mary had just gone through the most amazing experience of her life. It would touch the lives of so many and really all the facts about this baby boy are recorded in the Bible, but what happened during those years between his birth, the visit of the Mag and their remarkable gifts – His working side – by side with His stepdad – His first visit to the temple and later when He was 12 years old and doing His true Father’s work. The years between twelve and thirty are a mystery to us.

Tomorrow I will be starting a series I wrote a while back called, “The Years in Between,” Each of the episodes of this series touches on things that were going on during the time of Jesus’ life – the political climate – the occupations of the people – geographical information – how people lived, what they ate and what they did for fun. It is based on information I’ve researched and is filled with dramatic license, but it might complete the missing pages of His story. That time was not extremely important, because we read that during that time Jesus grew in wisdom and stature – which is all we really need to know. However, He was both the divine Son of God as well as a human being. I hope you enjoy the series and that the “stories” show the humanity of our Savior.

Posted in Children, Jesus, Lamb of God, motherhood, redemption | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MORE THAN A BRIGHT IDEA . . .

Posted on January 8, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

The entire story of Christmas is filled with mysterious events, which can only be believed by faith in the One who made them happen.  The story of God’s taking on human flesh, being born of a virgin mother, following the lineage of King David, a King Himself yet born in poverty.  A continuing story that took that little babe through childhood and manhood only to suffer and die on a cross of torture to pay for the sins of the world. When Jesus rose and conquered death, He gave us His assurance of an eternal life with Him.

On the twelfth day after Christmas, we celebrate the Epiphany – or manifestation of the Divine to the Gentile nations as the magi came to worship the child of Bethlehem.  Following the same bright star which the shepherds saw, they found the child with His mother and stepdad in a house in Bethlehem.  The King of Kings was revealed to the entire world upon that day. You might call it the first missionary journey

Shakespeare wrote a play entitled, “The Twelfth Night,” which was performed at the end of the Christmas season.  The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written, based on a children’s verse which carried down through generations probably originating in France.  Each day represents another gift given during the twelve days between Christmas and the celebration of the Epiphany feast.

The beauty of this holiday is that God opened up His salvation to the entire world, when the Magi came to visit His Son.  They came expecting to find a worldly king, like so many thought the Messiah would be.  They brought gifts of great value – Gold; Frankincense – a sweet aroma that would be used in the temple to send as an offering to God; Myrrh – a spice used in the embalming process.  Each significant for the Lamb of God.

This little baby was born so we could live forever.  He would take our sins upon His own shoulders and free us from guilt and shame.  He died and rose again so that we could do the same.  He shines as the Light of the World through all eternity.  It was a plan only He could come up with.

IT WAS MORE THAN A BRIGHT IDEA – IT WAS BRILLIANT!

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GOD’S VOICE CAN BE A WHISPER

Posted on January 6, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

How do you hear the voice of God? Is it in the beauty of His creation? Is it found in relationships or in the good deeds that we do? Is it a loud thunderous sound coming from the heavens, or a comment made by a spiritual leader or good friend? We can try as hard as we can, but rarely do we actually hear the voice of the One who made us. There is a distance between us, yet, because of His Only Son, we have an open line of communication with Him. His answers to our prayers can often be heard in the smallest of things that happen in our lives or events that change our personal history entirely. Remember that He is always available to answer our prayers and He does.

GOD’S VOICE by Kathy Boecher©

Where is the quiet place that you are longing for?
Is it in those empty times when waiting to do more?
Can you find contentment in the solitude of living?
Or does is come in simpler ways, like doing and forgiving.
God comes to us in many ways and most times when it’s silent,
But listen hard and you will hear His voice in every moment.
He whispers when we’re troubled, he soothes when we’re in pain,
You’ll see Him in creation, his voice is clear and plain.
He’s in the heat of summer and when the leaves do fall,
And in the cold of winter, you’ll hear His personal call.
When spring’s refreshing waters wash most everything in sight,
You’ll hear His voice assure you of His overpowering might.
Within the busy moments of life’s demanding pressures
He opens up His altar and shares His greatest treasures.
Each moment He’s available to answer every prayer,
Just open up your heart to Him and He will be right there.

Posted in aging, anxiety, Christian daily devotion, Christian Poetry, courage, depression, encouragment, forgiveness, God, Poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MEMORY FAIL

Posted on January 5, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

The human mind is an amazing organ.  It can hold more information than a computer, yet as we age, the data we’ve accumulated causes it to crash and even become useless.  The one fear I have about growing old is that I will lose my memory and a whole abundance of joy because of it. This is one of the many reasons I began blogging.  In a way, it’s my life in a nutshell.  Not only am I sharing these memories with you, but I’m also storing them up for future reference.

I’ve been known to completely forget an appointment – be a day late for a party – forget to turn on the crock pot when I’m going to be gone all day.  I forget important birthdays, wedding anniversaries and sometimes I forget to kiss my husband goodbye when he leaves the house.  OK those aren’t major memory lapses, but the thought of becoming confused, befuddled and incapable of taking care of myself is a seed which has already been planted in my mind.

It first happened when I started being asked if I felt safe at home. It continued as I read articles that indicate aging includes loss of memory and feelings of confusion. A few years ago, I was teaching memory care patients the importance of keeping their minds active, by doing jumping jacks for the brain.  Now I’m having trouble touching my toes.  I’m actually having trouble finding my toes.

I think I’m still pretty much all there, but one never knows when it might happen.  It can start with forgetting a specific date and mushroom into losing an entire year.  This is why I write.  Someday, if God decides this will be my lot in life, I’ll have the latter part of it journalized.  Not that my life is more important than any other, but because those I hold dear, will know who I was and how I lived.  They might even learn from my mistakes.

Memories often define who we are and what we do.  They shape us, our personalities and beliefs.  Once they’re gone, we’ve lost a huge chunk of a life.  If you have a relative who is going through this challenge in their life, spend time with them.  You may not be able to change the outcome of their malady, but the memories they still cling to can be a treasure trove to be passed on to future generations.

Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again.

From the musical, “CATS” by Andrew Lloyd Weber

Posted in aging, anxiety, depression, Family, memories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

REMNANTS OF A SNOW ANGEL

Posted on January 4, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

We have certainly had our share of snow up here in the frozen Tundra of Minnesota. I used to love playing in the snow as a child. We’d build gigantic snow forts and load them up with fresh snowballs for future use. We’d slide down hills on a sled or toboggan. We put on our skates and glide across the frozen creek. We made snow angels. Unfortunately, my days of dashing through the snow are numbered. I’m lucky if I can make it from the house to my car. The week before Christmas we endured below zero windchills that would send a polar bear on a Caribbean cruise, I’m beginning to develop another malady known to us northern dwellers.  It’s called Cabin Fever.

All this “Global Warming” is really becoming a big joke.  They may change the terminology to Climate Change in order to bamboozle us into thinking that our planet is out of control and if we don’t spend billions of dollars on fixing it soon, we will all die within a month. It’s funny how many of these great minds actually believe in the Creator God, yet they don’t put much faith into what He alone can accomplish.  Over the thousands of years of mankind’s existence, there is still no one who can accurately predict the weather or do anything about it.  But I digress.

Back to Cabin Fever.  This dilemma usually doesn’t occur until around mid-February when there’s little to enjoy about winter unless you love cross country skiing, snow shoeing or making snowmen. You may have to report to eating the white stuff if you can’t get to town for supplies. In other words, you become a slave to your home.  You are a prisoner within your own walls.  If you do venture out, you better be carrying a snow shovel and wearing mittens and boots.  If not, you will wind up like my pictured friend above.

Now that all the hub bub of the holidays has passed and our lives are returning to semi-reality, it’s hard to get thrilled about going anywhere.  When you open the door and are greeted by winds that freeze your nose hairs and blinding, brilliant, gray everywhere, it’s so much easier to crawl back inside and into a nice warm bed. 

I love the change of seasons that my state boasts about.  We have the best of all of them.  It’s just that winter seems to occupy most of the year. But never fear!  In a few months I’ll be complaining because of the heat.

“Everyone begins as a child by liking Weather. You learn the art of disliking it as you grow up. Noticed it on a snowy day? The grown-ups are all going about with long faces, but look at the children – and the dogs? They know what snow’s made for.” C. S. Lewis

Posted in aging, angels, Children, Climate change, depression, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

WRINKLES ARE EMBEDDED LAUGHTER

Posted on January 3, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”   Victor Hugo

When I was teaching drama to children, one of them came to me and asked, “Mrs. Boecher, why do you have so many lines on your face?”  I replied, “From working with darling, little children like you.”  It seemed to satisfy her.  The truth is, I started wrinkling at a very young age. As with many comedians, humor is really a mask used to cover the feelings going on within, but it can also prove to be a safety net to put you back in service. Actually humor can also let you forget about those ugly things in your life for a little while. It won’t eliminate them, but it will take away some of the sting.  I learned early on that laughter was very good medicine.

I come from a long line of laughers.  No, they weren’t hyenas! My mom was the queen of the chortle and guffaw.  She laughed in almost every situation.  She laughed at things that weren’t even funny.  I find myself doing the same these days.  She taught me, that even in the tough times, we can find something to laugh about if we look for it. When you look for joy, you will find it, but sometimes you have to look very hard.

Life isn’t a joke, however, and there will be times of negativity.  There will be days when the kids have defaced the living room walls with graffiti; when your kitchen sink is up to the ceiling with dishes; when bills are mounting; when you lose a job; face death – all times when you are so overcome, you simply cannot laugh.  Tears can also be great medicine for healing.

“In the process of looking for comedy, you have to be deeply honest. And in doing that, you’ll find out here’s the other side. You’ll be looking under the rock occasionally for the laughter.” Robin Williams

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WHERE EAGLES SOAR

Posted on January 1, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The year drags to an end, bringing with it a load of baggage,

Times filled with angst, depression and frustration,

But those things are all easily consumed by the Creator of the universe,

Through Him alone, we can achieve fulfillment through adversity,

Joy, even in times of great difficulty,

Peace, through the contentment of reading what He has to say to us,

We never carry that baggage alone,

He is right there beside us,

Lifting the heavy stuff,

Holding us with His mighty arms,

Transporting us,

At our side,

At the helm – leading and guiding,

Behind us, executing His plan,

Pushing us forward to complete His work in us,

A new year is here,

A second chance – again and again,

Only He knows what lies ahead,

Only He can determine our future,

He has already ordained it,

So here we go,

Let us walk hand in hand with Jesus,

Always looking forward,

Never back,

Except to learn from our mistakes,

One day at a time,

With confidence and never losing hope,

We can soar like eagles,

To heights unknown.

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MY 81ST NEW YEARS EVE

Posted on December 31, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Here we go – another New Years eve – my 81st to be exact. I wonder just how many resolutions I’ve made and broken over those 80 years. I’ve probably lost and gained the same 25 pounds. Undoubtedly, I’ve done about 20 pushups and 5 planks. I’ve joined a number of health clubs, only to cancel my membership a month later. I’ve promised to try harder, to persevere, to buck up, more than I actually did. I’ve resolved to be kind, to help others, to encourage, to befriend only to hibernate instead. I’ve become a real “couch potato,” as we now sleep on our sofa bed, because there’s no bathroom upstairs. I’ve learned that making resolutions is fruitless, ineffectual and a waste of time.

In those 80 years, I’ve overindulged, broken promises, made serious mistakes, turned my back on what’s really important. I’ve had good intentions, but like most good things, intentions are the first to take hit. I don’t make resolutions anymore, because chances are, I will break them within hours of making them. Another reason is that I rarely stay awake long enough to make them. So why bother?

This has been a year – like most – which I’d rather forget. It has been wrought with sickness, hospitalizations, loss of dear friends, trying to make ends meet, political unrest, very disturbing things happening all around us. The only thing that doesn’t change is God’s relationship with me. I know I can count on His promises. I realize that He is with me in all the steps I take while tramping over this mortal coil. He knows my weaknesses and yet He forgives me. He loves unconditionally and makes life worth living.

So, I won’t make any resolutions this year, because I know my aging body will give way to old habits. I won’t make promises I can’t keep. I will trust in God to lead me through the remainder of my New Years, because He never lies. His Word tells me so.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS & FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN 2023 AND BRING PEACE TO YOU AND YOURS!

Posted in aging, America, anticipation, change, New Year, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

HIGHLIGHTS & LOW

Posted on December 30, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Drama queen that I’ve been almost my entire life, I’m familiar with the masks of comedy and tragedy. These two extremes rest on opposite sides of the emotional scale. We are made up of so much more than laughter and tears. All the emotions in between comprise how we look at things, how we live, how we relate to others. The Greeks established these as symbols for theater in ancient times.  The Tragedy mask was used to denote stories that had to do with something people were familiar with – like the fables and myths of old.  Comedy came later, and it really was a way for the characters to bring in some relief from all that tragedy and let the audience laugh at themselves as well as the tragic stories they were used to. Personally, I prefer looking at the lighter side of things and I usually go to the theatre to be entertained – not to be depressed or beaten down.

If you look at these two faces you see some very obvious extremes.  In the comedy mask everything is raised up.  The lips curl up at the corners, the cheekbones are raised, and the eyes are open wider – while the tragedy mask displays mouth and eyes turned down and every line in the face is sagging.  Maybe that’s why it sounds better to say you have laugh lines rather than sag lines.

In reality our emotions run the gauntlet of extremes.  Our emotions can be as unique as we are, and that’s what makes life interesting. It would be pretty weird if everyone was depressed at the same time; or if they all exhibited shyness or low self-esteem; or each of us was paranoid.  The world would be pretty strange if we were all the same.

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 says, “Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth. with both of them.”

When we approach the end of a year, we tend to look at all the highlights and difficult situations and try to make changes for the new year to come. Sometimes we get caught up in the making of resolutions and setting goals which are impossible to keep. God doesn’t want us to go overboard with anything.  We also learn that God has filled us with an abundance of all things, including our emotions.  He has already planned our lives meticulously before our conception. He is in charge. He knows what is best for each and every one of us. It is wise to plan ahead, but always know that God has predetermined your future. He’s got this. Be assured that He will be there by your side through the entire journey – even the highlights and the lows.

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FAMILY REUNION

Posted on December 29, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

(bottom left to right) Son, Bob Boecher – Paul Boecher – Kathy Boecher – Daughters, Joy Oquist & Amy Pentti. (Top left to right) Granddaughter, Kaeli Oquist, Bob’s fiancee, Janet Stroup, Grandson, Josh Pentti, Amy’s husband, Brian Pentti, Joy’s husband, Tom Oquist and grandson, Jordan Pentti.

The holidays are designed to bring us closer together. Most families see this as a time of traveling, meeting airline schedules, possibly rearranging plans, preparing wonderful food, gathering, conversation, playing board games and things like that. Others dread the thought of getting everyone under one roof, finding things to talk about, reliving past experiences, eating too much, overspending, a time of depression and anxiety and trying to avoid talking about politics.

My family has been a tightly-knit unit for many years. Looking back over those times always makes me wonder how that all came to be. Sometimes when you go through the actual raising of a family, you question your ability as parents. You pray that your kids will make the right choices. You try to instill a good work ethic, morality, consistency and love. When God is the head of the family, you have the true glue which binds you together.

Of course, it’s not always a bed of roses. The things of this world always seem to seep in no matter how hard you try to avoid them. Being a Christian is not going to guarantee perfection, but it will make the rough spots bearable. God’s plan is always for our good.

In our family photo this year, we were all available to be photographed together. This hasn’t always been possible, since our oldest daughter hails from South Carolina – their oldest son just returned from S. Korea and a four-year adventure teaching English. Their other son is now employed in North Carolina. Our other two children live in Minnesota. Sometimes one or another is missing from the family photo. Our son has photoshopped the missing person in, but it is nothing like the real thing.

This year has been a wild ride for us medically. When you turn 80 things happen and you wonder how many more of these family photos will be taken, with everyone present. We don’t know the answer to that question, but we can treasure the moments of this Christmas, knowing that one day we’ll all be reunited in our heavenly home. Saying goodbye can be difficult, but each goodbye leads to another hello – to precious hugs – to irreplaceable memories and love everlasting

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IT’S OVER – NOW WHAT?

Posted on December 27, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

All the time and preparation leading up to Christmas can lead to a full-blown bout of depression.  Today, all the hub bub of Christmas has come to a standstill.  There are still cookies in the freezer.  Presents have been opened snowmen and Santas sitting on the front lawn?

During this time, many folks crawl into a cocoon of self-preservation.  They turn inward and focus on not being hurt by the depression of post-Christmas syndrome.  The protection of those silk threads acts as a suit of armor against feelings of loneliness, sadness, loss of a relationship or job and returning to the ho-hum of everyday life. It’s like a big letdown, but it doesn’t have to be.

When the house is empty of all the laughter and you can hear a pin drop, you know that Christmas is over, but is it? We’ve watched all the Christmas movies, enjoyed playing board games and just being together for a few hours, a few special moments, a few days. Then suddenly it comes to an abrupt end. Now the memories linger, but soon they will be gone too. As we get older, those memories become more treasured, because we know our days are numbered. It’s a quick recipe for sadness, loneliness and depression to set it.

Jesus was born more than a couple thousand years ago, but we still celebrate His birthday. There has to be something in that. One child who grew into a man and sacrificed His life for humanity, so that the clutches of sin would no longer torment us. I would say that’s reason enough to celebrate. The even bigger picture is that it didn’t end with His death. He overcame death and made it possible for us to also have the promise of eternal life with Him.

When all the decorations come down and the tree is sitting on the curb, we should still be enjoying the afterglow of that amazing birthday. Without Christmas, there is no hope for a future. Without Christmas, the love we share on that day would not exist. Without Christmas there is no peace on earth. Christmas can be a difficult time, because it stirs thoughts of the past and fears for the future, but our Savior reminds us that He’s got our lives all mapped out for us and we have nothing to fear.  We can be sure that it’s all for our good.

Instead of wrapping yourself in hopelessness, let Christmas live in your life every day of the year.  Sharing the great news with others is the best gift you’ll ever give because the return on sharing that gift will fill your heart with joy.

Posted in anxiety, Christmas, depression, hope, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

COME, LET US ADORE HIM

Posted on December 25, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Streets dusted with powdered sugar snow are empty now after the hustle and bustle within this tiny town.  Everyone empties the church after singing praises to the newborn King.  The lights dim as the final wishes of “Merry Christmas,” are heard in the streets.  A homeless man huddles in the darkness.  Dare he enter the sanctuary?  He isn’t dressed in the festive clothes.  He smells bad – hair uncombed – fragrance of cheap wine still lingers on his lips.  

Some might say there’s no place for someone like that – especially in the church.  At least that’s how many of our churches look at outsiders. Still the tiny child laying in a manger, beckons each and every one – inside and out – to come to Him.  Jesus, Christ was born for all people.  

If it is not possible to attend a service in person, remember that our worship begins in our hearts and that’s exactly where Jesus wants to meet us. Come, let us worship the King.  Let us bow down to the Lord of our salvation. Jesus is deserving of our praise. He loves us, no matter how we look or where we come from. He makes no exceptions. So, come let us adore Him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR BLOGGING FRIENDS FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

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LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

Posted on December 24, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

You came to a world filled with darkness and sin,

You loved us devoutly without and within,

Your love conquered all through a child meek and small,

Dear, God, Your Son came and He died for us all.

You took away sadness and filled us with peace,

You give us a hope that defies life’s surcease.

You gave Your life for us so we could be free.

Sweet Jesus, Your blood you did shed on the tree.

Your body lay lifeless, but rose on that day,

To conquer the devil – our ransom to pay,

So now we look forward to that special time,

When we will live with You in heaven sublime,

Come quickly Lord, Jesus, and carry us home,

Remove all the darkness, bring light where we roam,

Be with us forever and love us each day,

Sweet Jesus, we love you, what more can we say?

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christmas, Jesus | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments