HOW CAN GOD USE ME?

Posted on August 23, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

It seems that once or twice a year, I wonder why I’m still writing this blog.   The truth is, I often wonder if I’m writing it for the right purpose.  As soon as I see my ratings drop, I can’t help thinking that I’m being selfish in continuing.   I’ve been blogging for about 7 years.  It was an offshoot of some inspirational quotes I was posting on Facebook, along with a creative desire to write.  In a way, I was keeping a journal of my daily living and finding something in each day that might help someone else to get through theirs. 

I started writing when I first learned how to actually form sentences and wrote my first full length musical play when I was twelve.  I thought it was phenomenal.  It was the story of a prince who becomes a member of the working class. He falls in love with a commoner and we all know the end of that story.  It consisted of songs, magnificent costumes, a cast of hundreds and words that went on and on.  I was so proud of myself as I turned it in to be graded by my eighth grade teacher.  He took one look at the size of the manuscript and said, “This is much more than I asked for and definitely not something we could do in our classroom.”  I was crushed.  In fact I didn’t write another thing for a couple years. 

When I got over myself, I let the muse loose and started to write again.  I’ve written over a hundred plays and skits, three unfinished novels, many children’s stories, a memoir, articles, a screenplay or two, commercials and dabbled in poetry.  I’m not saying this to impress anyone.  The only things I ever published were my memoir, “Stages,” which was self published and an article for Chicken Soup For the Soul.  I have a fear of rejection, so most of my work is stuffed away in a loose leaf binder or on a memory stick.  

In writing a blog, I saw an opportunity to share my love for my Savior with others – to show them that if God was interested in me and my failures, he certainly would listen to them and give them answers, comfort, guidance or all of the above.  I’m not a qualified teacher of God’s Word.  My words are often clumsy and not well thought out in advance.  When I’ve written without editing, I immediately pick up on mistakes once the piece has been published.  Some times I express my political views, while other times I address things like parenting, aging, humor, entertainment and art.

So this weekend, I decided to take a vacation from blogging indefinitely.  When we went to church and enjoyed some fellowship with others after the service, my husband relayed the information about my blog to one of our members.  We talked a lot about how important it is for us to share the things that are “really” going on in our lives with fellow believers, so that we can lift each other up and encourage one another in all those trials.  Maybe this is what God wants me to do. 

As Paul and I talked yesterday about growing older and not being able to physically serve in the church as we did when we were younger, I suggested that our time of serving might be over, but our time of grace was still available.  That thought stuck with me through the day, and I realize that this blog needs to continue – not for my glory, but so that God can be magnified and others will see how He can change lives.

So, you’re stuck with me.  I may not be around for another seven years, but I guess you’ll be seeing me – Kathy Boecher at atimetoshare.me for a little longer.

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WHERE IS OUR REFUGE?

Posted on August 22, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

We’re living in an era of extremes.. Temperatures our rising, tempers are too. We’re experiencing drought conditions in some parts of the country while others are surrounded by floods. We hear our president give words of reassurance regarding the situation in Afghanistan and at the same time we see mobs in the streets and a Taliban unit of special forces, loaded with arms from the United States. What are we to think? Does God even hear our voices anymore?

When times of extreme testing occur, it’s natural for us to want someone to blame and it would seem God is the perfect recipient. He controls the wind, the seas and skies and the very weather that surrounds us. He is often accused of the storms that happen to each one of us as we trudge through every day. Why do we attack the only One who can bring us relief?

Our headlines are filled with gloom and doom. People are raging at one another to get vaccinated. Those who don’t should assume the blame of killing off their neighbors, Blame God, blame your friends and family. Blame the media. Blame science. Actually the only ones we have to blame for this state of affairs is US! You and me and all the citizens of the world could be living in paradise today, but man fell into temptation and thus we are still paying for his foolish mistake. Once sin entered the world everything became tarnished and difficult. God tells us that we’ll endure hardships in this life. He doesn’t cause them, but allows them to happen to strengthen us. All the bad things of life can be blamed on Satan, but it’s really mankind that fell from God’s perfect world. Satan was first to do that however and he’s been shoving his way through minds, emotions, fears, anger, hatred, anxiety, hopelessness and despair since the creation of man. He continues to hammer away at us through temptation, but also by turning us from the relationship we have with God and into his snare of hell.

God even had a solution for that. He sent His Son to destroy Satan. Because Jesus was sacrificed on a brutal cross, suffered for our sins, was scorned, humiliated and spat upon, He alone was the sin bearer for the entire population of the world. When he lay lifeless in the grave, His Spirit was doing battle with the evil one and finally crushed him, so that he has no power over us anymore. When Jesus returned to life and showed his risen body to many after the resurrection, He also show us that we will rise again after death. Our sins have been paid for and we will become a part of God’s heavenly paradise.

I can’t imagine the pain that people are going through right now, but I know that God went through much more to bring us eternal life. When we place the burdens of life on His shoulders, we are in an active relationship with Him. I’m not saying the pain will disappear or that the anxiety will lessen, but you will be able to get through it with God’s precious gift to us. Instead of looking at the worst case scenario, we need to look for the positives even in the darkness that surrounds us. He will sustain us. He will carry our load. He will bring us safely to heaven and give us a special place in his heavenly realm.

GOD IS DEFINITELY OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH – A GREAT HELP IN ALL TIMES OF TROUBLE OR WORRY. HE IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!

Posted in America, inspiration. | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

THE GOLDEN DAYS OF OLD

Posted on August 22, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

With every passing morning, through every dawning light,
Time flits from here to there each day, and withers into night,
If it would just stand still again, like golden days of yore,
We might enjoy the little things, that make us love life more.

The quiet times with family, the reading of a book,
The smell of cookies baking, the singing of a brook,
The moments of our precious lives that bind us close together
The sounds of peace, the voice of God, the kindness of the weather.

These things sound simple, but they’re not, they simply breathe new life,
Reminding us of days gone by, erasing fears and strife,
The old things bring new life to us, they simply can’t be shattered,
We learn from past mistakes, you see and that’s what really mattered.

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

ON A TREACHEROUS SEA

Posted on August 21, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

The raging waters swirl and churn, a storm within me starts to burn,

The sea erupts with power unknown, I know I can’t face this alone,

Each wave explodes with God’s soft voice, it seems to me I have no choice,

My prayers are altered by the wind, will He hear me repent my sin?

The storm grows stronger with each beat, will I succumb and know defeat,

The devil sucks me to the sea, taking my breath and drowning me,

I suffocate under his hand, I’m dying now, I cannot stand,

A voice cries out to hang on tight, my Savior, God has won the fight.

The sea grows calm the sun returns, new life abounds and in me burns,

No storm, no wars, no fear of waves, can lead me to an early grave,

He stands with me in every plight, He’s with me through the day and night,

He never leaves and never fails, to lift the wind and fill our sails.

Posted in Poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

WHEN YOU THINK IT CAN’T GET ANY WORSE

Posted on August 20, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

The world is going to hell in a handbasket.  It can’t get any worse than it is.   When is this going to end?  Those are the kinds of comments I’m hearing a lot these days.  It seems we are on the verge of the end of one problem and the next day another issue arises that tops it.  We’re in a constant state of getting worse by the second.  Frankly, I’m tired of hearing all the bad stuff that’s going on in our world.  I’m sick of the hype on vaccinations and the shaming that accompanies it.  I have had enough about our leadership, our media, our immorality, our disgusting behavior, our selfishness and our shortcomings.

It’s time for a shot in the arm.  (No pun intended.)  We all need a dose of positive thinking and even when things seem like they can’t get worse, they probably will, and we must learn to live with it.  We are not going to change the outcome of what spews from a media that can’t be trusted.  We can’t fight city hall.  We can’t put our heads in the ground like an ostrich, but  we can turn to God before He becomes a last resort.

The many men and women who put their lives on the line – the brave individuals who stood up against persecution – those who gave their lives in defense of what they believed to be honorable – who shed blood for an idea – gave up everything in the face of destruction – the uncelebrated heroes of the faith who stood against what appeared to be the worst event in their lives – still received the kingdom of God.  

Things are going to get worse.  It’s like Murphy’s Law. When we think it can’t get any worse, it does.  We have good days and we have bad ones, but we are never going to have perfect days as long as we live on this planet.  We do, however, have the promise of eternal life and even if when we’re called to breathe our last, we can be sure that God is with us through it all.

That may seem small consolation to some, but it’s the best news anyone can possess.  It’s truth in its purest form.  The words of comfort come to us from God, the Creator of heaven and earth – the One who knew you before your conception – the One who sacrificed everything to give you the best – the One who loves you with no conditions or strings.  His words are written down in the Bible for our benefit.  They give us hope for a future here on earth and in heaven. 

When it looks like every new challenge is insurmountable, you can count on His Word to you.  Trust in God.  Do not run away from Him.  He is the only solution to the mess we’ve created for ourselves on this planet.  Instead of playing the blame game, ask for forgiveness and pray for your enemies.  Their eternal life was also bought and paid for by God.  Pray that their minds are opened to His great mercy.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

NATURAL PLACES

Posted on August 19, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
YELLOWSTONE FALLS, ACRYLIC PAINTING BY PAUL BOECHER

ART & POETRY BY PAUL T. & KATHY BOECHER©

When life seems overwhelming and the hope for peace has drifted,

We struggle with the discontent and pray for burdens lifted,

But our days on earth are numbered, our time is soon gone by,

We fill our hours with wrong pursuits and then we simply die.

But when you travel with the Lord, your outlook quickly changes,

The goals you set, the plans you make, He often rearranges,

We have no clue to what’s ahead, but in His master plan,

We know what He’s prepared for us can’t be achieved by man.

His blueprint for our path is often filled with  worldly strife,

We struggle on and trust in Him throughout our earthly life,

Our dreams are often shattered, we wonder where is God,

We fail to trust,  we oft give up, when through this life we plod.

But when it all is over, when breath departs our frame,

In confidence we rest in Him who took away our shame,

The shelter of that valley soon brings great calm and rest,

To be with all the saints of God, the brightest and the best.

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OUR NATIONAL TREASURE

Posted on August 19, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” John Muir

Last night was rerun night on PBS along with their usual campaign to raise funds. We’ve seen this series many times and it never fails to satisfy. Ken Burns always brings us to a different plain when it comes to how we feel about our country. In this series about the National Parks, it reignites those feelings of pride in our country and one of the best ideas it ever had.

As we look at the magnificent photography of these wild and natural places, filled with beauty beyond compare its hard not to be thankful and amazed all at the same time. These places are like the “beginning of creation,” and they need to remain that way. The parks have grown in number and are visited by their owners (the citizens of America) every summer. I remember going through some when our children were younger. Because they are part of us we have an obligation to keeping them safe and free from the infestation of those who would turn them into side shows and tourist traps. Fortunately that hasn’t happened – yet.

I can’t help but wonder how long that will last. Remember, if you will, how the land was eaten up by early American settlers in search of a better place to live, along with the very rich who built up that land with factories, cities, railroads and industry of all sorts. In the process, a whole nation filled with Native Americans was displaced or destroyed. Not to mention those who searched for their fortune in the land itself during the gold and silver rushes of our history. Then the land poured out its oil and a whole different group of investors made yet another fortune.

I also wonder where all these newcomers to our nation will live as we keep making room for more and more immigrants. Mind you, I’m not saying anything about those who legally enter our country. I am descended from immigrants as most every American is. What will our America look like in another hundred years? Will the wild places be devoured by humans? Will our national treasures turn into landfills or slum filled cities? I pray that never happens, but it is something to think about.

When the National Parks came into being, we were in the middle of a civil war. Even in a time of crisis our leaders were looking out for the unbelievable landscapes that remained unscathed by human hands. These places are a heritage that we must maintain as they are today.

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NEGOTIATION

Posted on August 18, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

As Americans we often look at this word as a means whereby discussions lead to agreement on one thing or another. The word itself was derived from the Latin and basically meant to do business. Unfortunately, the tact involved in negotiation has somewhat slipped into the abyss. Even in our own country, where freedom of speech is allowed, standing up for our own principles and ideas has taken a back seat to following the crowd, or doing what is popular or politically correct. We are asked to tolerate everything and yet our own opinions are very often overlooked and not tolerated at all.

Having a discussion or negotiating involves more that one person. The ultimate negotiation comes when both or all parties come to a satisfactory agreement. Usually this doesn’t happen when one side or the other refuses to budge.

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.”

James 4:1-2

The above Bible verse explores the possibility of disagreements being caused by inner fights within the mind or thoughts of one of the parties. In such cases, negotiation is pointless, because you will never change the mind of someone who is conflicted themselves. When we dive into the realm of politics and discuss these things with others, we can always plan on a fight of some kind. Most often it results in the defeat of one of the people involved. That defeat can lead to anger, revenge or retaliation in some form or another.

When we come together to share ideas – to try to come up with solutions to problems – make the necessary concessions – we need to come with an open mind, not rigidity, relentlessness or immovability, If we can’t do so, we’re shutting the door before we even have a chance to voice our thoughts and opinions.

Many who have this strong, stubborn streak are advocates for being tolerant and kind to everyone, but that doesn’t always manifest in their actions. Jesus wants us to love one another, even when we don’t always agree. Part of kindness is being willing to open yourself to other people’s opinions along with sharing your own without being negative.

We could use a little kindness right now. Our civilization is living on the edge. People are unsure of what lies ahead. They’re insecure, frightened and deeply concerned about the state of affairs in our world and in our homes. Please, if you are going to talk about vaccinations, COVID19, masks or the political climate in our world, stop and think before you speak and do so in a way that you’d want to be treated.

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LORD, GUIDE MY WAY

Posted on August 18, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

With every passing day, I feel you close beside me.

You watch each step I take, and perfectly you guide me.

And when my feet should stray – when things get in my way –

You pick me up and carry me through each and every day.

Temptations all around – distracting and confusing,

The world deters my thoughts, but through it you are using,

My simple mind, my childlike faith, my heart, my soul, my all,

To share your love with others – to hear your righteous call.  My life is just a breath, but it will never end.

You’ve given up your life for me.  You are my dearest friend.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Posted on August 17, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Every day it seems something new hits the headlines. We’re fearful of a variant of COVID. We fear for the safety of our country. We wonder about our political leaders and their competency. We hear of horrific crimes against humanity. Death is at the gate.

Kids will soon be returning to school. Will they be wearing masks? What will they be taught? Are they becoming more and more confused by issues that used to be pretty cut and dried? Some will be graduating and moving on to life changing careers. What does the future hold for them?

It seems that each day brings some bad news that definitely will test our will to go on and create fears in our mind. It does become overwhelming to even those who place their trust in God. We have no control over the wind, the rains, the sun. We can’t count the stars in the heavens. In the face of God’s magnificence, we are very small. We think for some reason that we can change things – that we can find the answers to the world’s problems – that we can interfere in God’s plan for life.

It would be nice to look ahead and see the light at the end of the tunnel. If only we had the proverbial Genie in the magic lamp or a true fortune teller who could give us a glimpse into what lies ahead. But, would that be any better? If we knew what was coming next, it might be very depressing and draw us further into the pit of despair.

Many might say that all the things going on in our world right now are signs of the coming of the end of the world. Well the Bible tells us that no one knows when that will occur. There have been signs since the beginning of the first human beings. Death was one of those signs. We all have that to contend with. We can’t escape death, but we have the promise that because God delivered us from sin, we will inherit eternity in heaven. That’s the truth and a promise you can depend on. We may not know what will happen next, but we do know that our future is in God’s hands and even before we die, He will be there to take care of us.

2 Timothy 3:1-7

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” 

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A DAY IN THE PARK

Posted on August 17, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The senses are enlivened with each new summer day,

The sounds of children’s laughter, the funny games they play,

The taste of cool refreshment, with ice cream on your lips,

It doesn’t even matter that it soon will reach your hips,

The sight of brilliant colors, dance wildly cross your eyes,

Soft, white and billowy clouds flow swiftly through the skies,

The smell of hot dogs grilling, and sunscreen on your nose,

The touch of sand and seashells, or sticky marshmallows,

All the senses come to life, when we just let them in,

But for the plein air artist, they form the largest grin,

Those who capture light and shade and place it in their art,

Quality of everything, lives in their beating heart,

When you see an artist paint, remember this one thing,

His senses are dependent, on all that life will bring.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

FIXER UPPER

Posted on August 16, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER ©

A little house stands all alone, no people left inside,

There once was life within that house and laughter did abide,

The windows are now boarded up, the grass is overgrown,

The roof is battered, walls need paint, some love needs to be sown,

A fixer upper, yes indeed, but still a strong foundation,

Where walls can once again be filled with strong determination.

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

THE JEWELS OF DE NIAL

Posted on August 16, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
Left to right bottom row – Pearl played by Kathy (me), Ruby/Christine, and Opal/June – back row Gail our sound effects person and Todd, the auctioneer and plumbing salesman

For the next three days we will rehearse our next episode of Jewels of deNial. This is the show I’ve been collaborating on with my senior acting and prolific writers. This show is about the theatre I work at, which was once a children’s theatre and now has classes for all ages. The restrooms have created an unforeseen problem. All the toilets are designed for children and with the addition of 55+ actors, we have to replace them. Our group, which spans three decades, has a lot of ideas how to solve the issue. We’re going to have an auction to raise money to raise the toilets.

I’ve been blessed to be part of this project for almost two years. We’ve written a few episodes – recorded three of them and will present “The Auction” this weekend to a live audience. There’s nothing like live theatre. You never know for sure how your work will be received. There’s an energy that flows from stage to audience and back to the stage, which can’t be described. It’s almost magical. I never get tired of the feeling. Undoubtedly I will spend the remaining years of my life involved with theatre in some form or another. It’s really true what they say about it getting into your blood.

During the course of the collaboration, we’ve been sharing from our own life experiences. You know the stories the keep getting bigger with the telling. They become more and more hilarious as they’re repeated and often go further than reality, but isn’t that what creativity allows us to do.

Life in its final chapters can be a series of visits to the doctor – becoming addicted to the TV – with limited physical and mental activity. The lack of exercise for our minds and bodies, soon gives way to death. What fun to be able to live life to the fullest right up until the last breath.

Posted in aging, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Summer Memories

Posted on August 15, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

We’re two thirds of the way through summer and this time of year always brings memories of family travels. At the start of these adventures our kids were still quite young, so everything was exciting – like looking at the largest ball of string, or stopping for an ice cream cone. As years progressed, their interests changed. Travel meant giving up the video games they normally played on their Nintendo.


In the old days we would sing silly camp songs like “Comin’ Round the Mountain,” “B-I-N-G-O Was His Name,” “Old McDonald Had a Farm,” and the like. Eventually those songs were no longer fun. Instead they were replaced with earphones and their own kind of music. I persisted in getting a song started, but never got much attention, especially when I began singing theme songs from TV shows.


During those years, in spite of each new distraction, we continued to enjoy the scenery. We would stop and look around, eat our lunch at a wayside, breathe in fresh air and talk to each other. All the stops were necessary because with two teenagers and one tween the air wasn’t always fresh. Not only that, but the car was beginning to fill with empty potato chip bags, orange and banana peelings and half devoured bottles of water. During those stops, we’d often stretch our legs and take a little walk to explore some of the beautiful countryside.


Family vacations can be disastrous or filled with laughter and fond memories. Our first camping experience in Yellowstone was one example. We set up the tent, got all of our food on the table, began cooking over an open fire, enjoyed the fresh air (again) and noticed signs which said, “Beware of bears in the area.” I have never been an adventurous soul, so the thought of having bears sleeping right next to our tent and possibly devouring our food and maybe us, was not an option. I believe I slept with my eyes and ears open. My children and husband sawed enough wood to keep our fire burning for days. Not referring to actual wood here.
The next morning we noticed signs of bear being in the area. The rubbed off fur on a tree right next to our tent was proof. I slept in the van for the rest of the trip.

Occasionally we’d treat ourselves to a night in a motel, with real beds and pillows, indoor plumbing and a continental breakfast. There was no wildlife in the vicinity, other than the partiers who stayed up all night making noise.

Making these excursions can be most rewarding. You have a captive audience for a few hundred miles at a time (usually) so you can actually talk to each other. Some of the most memorable conversations are held in a car where the passengers are locked into their seat belts and they can’t escape from a moving vehicle.

Think of the family vacation as a chance to build memories, to bond with your children, to make them look forward to the next one and find things to do that will appeal to everyone without breaking the bank.


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WALKING IN DANGER

Posted on August 15, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

The news of the day seems hopeless, darkness will consume the light,

Our fears can often destroy us, making stars escape the night,

And even in those darkest hours, our fears will be held at bay,

Our God is there to protect us, bringing us to the next day.

We may think that life has no purpose, we want to see it all end,

But God has planned our redemption, our Jesus, His Son, He’d send,

To give us hope everlasting, to shake off our every fear,

He promised to bear each burden, to His word He will adhere.

When fears seem to overwhelm you, trust in the light of the earth

His arms extended to greet you, He bestows you with new birth,

Just call on His intervention, He’ll come to your heart today,

His light will swallow the darkness and take your fears away.

Posted in Poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

IT’S GARAGE SALE DAY

Posted on August 14, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Five years ago, we downsized after 24 years of living in the same house to one half the size.  It was a time of purging – release – letting go and giving up.  I believe I had about five garage sales that year.  Whatever we didn’t sell, we donated to the local thrift stores and finally hired a truck to pick up the things that we couldn’t get rid of any other way.  

My husband had crates of stored art work and equipment along with many items he just couldn’t let go of.  He has a sentimental heart and loves to hang onto things that have a personal memory.  I’m more of an organizer and tend to toss without thinking, even though I found it difficult to give up thirty years of costumes from my children’s theatre.

To get to my point of this post today.  Since we moved in our little 1875 farm house, we’ve been to many garage sales – rummage sales – liquidation & downsizing sales and yard sales.  No matter what you call it, it comes down to getting rid of things we no longer need to carry as excess baggage.  Are you toting an extra load today?  I’m not talking about physical things, but more about the emotional heaviness we place on ourselves.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just simply snap our fingers and get rid of it?  Our burdens can lead to so many more difficult problems – like depression, anger, anxiety, fear, loss, grief.  Compounded all these elements add a lot of weight to the already stifling encumbrance.  It’s really much easier than snapping your fingers.  Jesus invites us to cast our burdens on Him.  He will carry them for us.  Sounds like a pretty easy way out.  When we create the mess, we often want to fix it ourselves.  In other words, we get in the way of His doing what He does best.  We need to let Him.

So, we continue to collect old stuff – nostalgic and inspirational things from another time.  It’s not like we need any of it.  In fact our backyard sometimes looks like an ongoing yard sale. These items give us interesting things to look at while we’re outdoors.  They are a collection of art objects in a way and often fodder for a painting or two.  Sometimes we need to clean up the clutter though and get rid of some of those things that occupy so much of our time and effort.  

Today is Garage Sale Day. The weather is perfect for it.  There’s really nothing I’m in great need of, but the pull of a garage sale is always there for me.  I usually find something to add to the mess. When it becomes to overwhelming, I ask for help.

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WHAT IF YOU CAN’T WAIT?

Posted on August 12, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

In a world that’s filled with instant mashed potatoes, instant rice, instant news, instant results and instant madness its hard to wait. In the famous infomercials where they tell you, “But wait, there’s more,” it’s usually followed by a buy one, get one free offer, or more. We’re assured that they are assured that we will like the product so much that we will be willing to wait for it. So much so, that we will wait for two or more of said product.

I’m not considered a very patient person. As years progress, I find myself not wanting to wait for anything anymore. I don’t have that much time left after all. Oh, I know what you’re thinking. We’re all going to die someday and I’ll probably live another twenty years (heaven help us) or more. I know I could get hit by a car today and maybe go straight to heaven, but I’ve waited for 79 years for that blessing and I’m glad I’m still looking forward to it. When we are forced to wait, the waiting seems almost unbearable. We don’t like timelines, especially when it interferes with the plans we’ve already made and sealed in blood. The interrupted trips, because of the infernal virus, come to mind. Kids can’t wait for summer vacation – going back to school – getting out of school again – waiting for a home cooked meal – waiting for the cookies in the oven – waiting for report cards to come out. We all have an agenda when it comes to waiting.

Lately we’ve been asked to do a lot of waiting. Maybe that’s a good thing. When we have a lot of time to consider the repercussions or blessings that might ensue, it makes the decisions easier to make. When we wait for a test result – a “yes” to a proposal of marriage – an acceptance of an offer on a house – time seems a little more imperative. The answer will often dictate our future.

God wants us to wait for Jesus’ second coming. We have no idea when that will occur. Even Jesus’ human side can’t answer that question. But all the signs around us are pointing to the end of the world as we know it. Why can’t it just be over with so we can experience paradise right now?

Winnie the Pooh was a wise little bear. He once said,

“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.” He also said, “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

There is a reason for all things under the sun. God is the only One who knows what the reason is. Yet in His infinite knowledge He allows us to be refined through the process and gives us the truth that ultimately we all win in the end. We can be assured of that. But wait! Nope, that’s all there is to it.

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TAKE AND DRINK

Posted on August 12, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
WATERCOLOR SKETCH BY PAUL BOECHER – WORDS BY KATHY BOECHER

The interlacing vines hold substantial fruit.

It is a wonder the grapes cling so tightly to the vine.

As Jesus told His followers, He is the vine and we are the branches.

Today, let’s consider feeding the thirsty with the first fruits of His offering to us.

He lifts us up from the depths of hell.

He refreshes us with the water of His Word.

He holds us ever so tight.

He crushed temptation.

He suffered pain and anguish.

He gave His blood.

He died and was buried in a secure tomb.

His lifeless body continued to do battle even in the grave.

He defeated the devil.

He rose from death.

He will come again to take away all sadness.

Drink the fruit of His salvation.

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BUT ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DOING IT . . .

Posted on August 11, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

“When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” C. S. Lewis

I’ll bet you thought this was going to be a post about us becoming a herd of sheep. It isn’t really, though I probably will write that one someday. Today I’m thinking about the foolish things that were said to us as children and we continued to perpetuate to ours and they to theirs. It’s kind of a right of passage. “Eat your vegetables. Don’t you know that children are starving in China?” When I heard that as a child, I often wondered how my eating my vegetables was going to benefit some starving kid in China. Or how about this one? “Eat your spinach, it will grow hair on your chest.” Why would I even want to grow hair on my chest?

When we’re parents, we often say dumb things. We repeat what we heard as children. We speak without thinking and often leave a negative memory in the mind of those we’re talking to. For example: “Don’t step on a crack, you’ll break your mother’s back.” So now we are laying the blame on our children for his mom’s backaches.

When I was a child, I heard that sitting on cement would give you piles. I couldn’t imagine what that meant. Piles of what? Would I be glued to the cement and it would climb all the way to heaven? Later I discovered that piles was another name for hemorrhoids. Another falsehood came when I was told that cracking my knuckles would later cause arthritis. I’m still wondering about that one.

Currently our words and actions are on display for everyone to judge. So we must be extra careful about how we use them. Instead of worrying about walking on cracks in the pavement, we’re being led to believe that we must walk on eggs and not say anything that could be misinterpreted. However some of those old sayings have some merit. The book of Proverbs is full of them. Thinking before we speak doesn’t always happen when you’re on Twitter or Facebook. We tend to respond in the moment and that’s when we get into trouble.

But is some of our individuality being challenged when we must be like everyone else? Maybe it’s best to just keep quiet and say nothing. Well, like I said, that’s a whole different post which I will someday write. Oh, maybe I just did.

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MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE

Posted on August 10, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Since another school year is about to begin, I thought it might be a good idea to get organized. First I’ll write a “to do list.” I used to be really good at that until the “to do list” became too overwhelming. So I started making mental notes instead. When you reach your 70s, it’s not a good idea to rely on memory, so I’m thinking about revisiting the list idea. OK, here’s my list:

  1. Get out of bed, put my teeth in and brush the few I have left.
  2. Don’t look in the mirror until you can bear the reflection.
  3. Write devotion for the day.
  4. Get dressed.
  5. Think of all the things I have to do today.
  6. Go back to bed.

Albert Einstein once said, “Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” I guess you could say I’m waiting for my opportunity.

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