Author: Brenda Proulx

Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee.

The Lamb

I display these figurines in the springtime. The lamb was my model for a birth announcement drawing.

“The Lamb” by William Blake is probably my favorite poem. I featured it on the front of our first baby’s birth announcement. I don’t know when I first read the poem, but it may have been in my college children’s literature class. The poem is documented in my textbook from that course, Anthology of Children’s Literature, 5^th Edition, 1977. Below is “The Lamb” copied from that volume.

The Lamb By William Blake

Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Gave thee life and bid thee feed.

By the stream and o’er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing, wooly, bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice?

Little lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Little lamb, I’ll tell thee,

Little lamb, I’ll tell thee:

He is called by thy name,

For He calls Himself a Lamb:

He is meek, and He is mild;

He became a little child.

I a child, and thou a lamb,

We are called by His name.

Little lamb, God bless thee!

Here is the cover I drew for our first baby’s birth announcement. I colored the ribbon pink for our newborn girl!

I think poems are meant to be enjoyed, not analyzed. Poets have motives and messages, as Blake did, but the beauty and importance of them is in their sound and their wording. For that reason, I will not write on and on about the meaning of this poem. What I will leave you with, as always, is how God’s Word is evident in the poetic verse. God created all life (Genesis 1: 24, 26, 27). God gently tends living things (Psalm 23). Jesus is called the Lamb of God (John 1:29 and throughout the last book of the Bible, Revelation).

I came across the directions for decorating a lamb cake as I was going through my Easter recipes. I did this when the kids were little.

What William Blake omitted in his poem is the sacrificial nature of the lamb. The lamb is not always “wooly bright”. Its life was taken as a payment. Then the Lamb of God, Jesus, died as the final and complete sin payment for us. That, and His overcoming resurrection, is the message of Easter!

Who Runs Across Your Path – Episode Two

This is a favorite photo of mine: my toddlers walking together.

This is the second story in my series about the random intersection of lives. Our paths intersect with other people’s paths and this sometimes leads to opportunity. My first story was a runner’s story but we cross ways with souls no matter how we’re moving.

The free Continental breakfast offered at many American motels is the modern version of Canterbury Tales. Chaucer’s characters were on a pilgrimage and their life stories and personalities met as they progressed toward their destination. At the hotel breakfast bar, travelers usually don’t have the same destination, but they do have being on the road in common. Fairly easily, I’ve observed, folks tend to talk over the cheap pastries and boxed cereal; stories emerge.

We were out of town overnight, taking advantage of the free breakfast in the lobby, when I began to catch on to a conversation near me. I much prefer people watching over the din of TV’s streaming network news. Two travelers struck up a conversation. The one, whom I will call a Listener, asked the other about her travels. She responded by saying that her son and his girlfriend had been in a motorcycle accident. The Mother’s son was transported to the nearby university hospital and she was staying at the motel in order to visit her son. The Listener took very serious interest in the Mother’s story. She dug up all the information about the crash and the injuries sustained. The Mother shared the involved story without hesitation. I imagine that being away from home, she hadn’t had anyone to talk to in person about the accident, except busy hospital staff.

Then the Listener’s husband showed up at breakfast. The Listener immediately began to recount the Mother’s saga to him. In great detail, she filled him in on the Mother’s situation staying at the hotel and explained the son’s injuries. At one point I saw her pointing to her leg, verifying with the Mother, the son’s condition. Repeating the story with such passion and detail validated the Mother’s distress and communicated tremendous empathy.

At this point, it was time for us to leave and continue our journey. I was left wondering why the Listener had stepped into the Mother’s story. The Listener, while clearly the personable type, did not strike me as nosy. Her chattiness seemed genuine and she really did focus on all that the Mother had been through. I did not get to see the end so I don’t know if the Listener got involved at a more material or spiritual level but I am sure that the Mother left the breakfast bar full, not just from breakfast, but satisfied because someone cared enough to hear her heart.

The Bible says we are to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) and that is just what the Listener did for the Mother. Tears often draw tears from others. We are sensitive to loss and we express sympathy. But that Scripture text begins with the words “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). It is not so easy to join in the happiness and success of others, especially if things aren’t going well for us. I recall my Pastor sharing about this difficulty. As an infant, his daughter developed a severe and life-threatening condition. He and his wife saw many specialist doctors and he told how in one waiting room, they conversed with another family. The other family had come for a follow-up appointment after their child had recovered. My pastor told how hard it was to rejoice with them when the outcome had not been the same for his suffering daughter.

As our paths cross with the lives and stories of others, we will encounter both their joys and sorrows. God asks us to join them in the moment. Be hopeful too, that God will send you sojourners to share your paths of joy or sorrow.

For another story where distressed travelers encountered Someone who cared, see Luke 24: 13-35.

Who Runs Across Your Path – Episode One

I am not a runner but I will meet my peeps at the Finish Line!

‘Who runs across your path’ is a statement, not a question. It’s a statement about the intersection of lives and this episode happened to a runner I know.

Out for a morning run, the runner I know came upon the sound of yelling. That might suggest danger, but the runner soon determined the location and source of the outburst. A young girl was in the front yard of her home and her father stood at the door. He was bawling out his daughter and she was crying. Runners don’t usually like to break their stride but this scene broke the runner’s heart. The runner stopped and spoke to the girl. She was waiting for her school bus that morning, and not wanting to be alone, had woken her father. Apparently, she had been told not to disturb him. He was irritated and probably tired and he had lashed out at her. Seeing the runner stopped and talking to his daughter brought some sense and calm to the man. The yelling ended and he made his way toward the girl, waving off the runner in silent acknowledgement of his error and the runner’s kindness.

My husband ran track in high school and still holds some school records.

This episode answers the question asked in the Gospel of Luke: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) A lawyer had posed this question to Jesus following His remark, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Your neighbor is whoever crosses your path. Love is being willing to put aside a personal agenda to address others’ needs. Being able to do that requires a couple of things. It requires open eyes and ears. You can’t meet needs that you remain oblivious to. Secondly, it requires compassion. A tender heart develops as you understand and experience God’s great care and sacrificial love.

My treks will never be at a runner’s pace but I hope I’ll recognize circumstances of need and love neighbors when they run cross my path.

The Work of Your Hands

My family had the wonderful opportunity to go on a mini winter getaway. Northern Virginia has not had any decent snow this year so it was especially fun to experience a wintery atmosphere. The first morning my husband and I stopped for some hot chocolate. We ordered at the counter and waited as the young woman who was both the cashier and barista, prepared our drinks. She seemed barely twenty and had darker skin tones and long, dark hair. She could have been Hispanic or Native American; either would have been likely in this western part of the country. She was neatly dressed and cordial, though not as jovial as other resort workers had been that morning.

She finished off our drinks with real whipped cream sprayed from the chilled silver canister and then carried the two steaming cardboard cups to where I was waiting. That’s when I noticed her left hand. She had a thumb but three of her fingers were missing and she had only a disfigured partial pinky finger. It appeared to be a birth defect. Yet she had just delivered two hot cocoas to me, one in each hand!

Many people use handicaps as an excuse not to work. If working is hard and a disability complicates matters, some will decide not to work at all. They rely on others and miss the satisfaction of accomplishment. A disability is an embarrassment too. In a culture where perfection is prized, it is difficult to be in a place where you will get noticed. Thoughtless comments may be overheard. Bravely, this cashier turned barista, took employment out in the public eye.

“A work of art” sounds like an oxymoron but we can take pride in our work products*. These cute sugar cookies from Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates are decorated for Mardi Gras.

Sometimes, depending on the disability, employment can be hard to find. This is particularly true for those with cognitive impairment. It takes well-trained supervisors and special options to employ the developmentally challenged. Creating a business niche for them is a labor of love. Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolates in my town is just such a place. Coffee drinks and homemade confections are made and sold, giving work to special needs young adults.

Work is a gift. God gave mankind work in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Of course work became cursed after Eden (Genesis 3: 17-19), but it continues to have value. Occupation offers a healthy use of time and a sense of fulfillment, and it provides financial support as well as the opportunity to give to others and help those in need. The Bible tells us to do work and to do it well (Colossians 3:23). I’m applauding the overcoming attitude of the young café worker. For her and all of us, “(Lord,) establish the work of our hands, yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

*A good book on the subject of being artful on the job is A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman

“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” Danny Gokey

“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” is a song inspired by events in an operating room. A surgeon was performing open heart surgery on a woman. The heart was successfully repaired and it was ready to be functional in the woman’s body again. In the usual time and method of restarting the heart, nothing happened. Perplexed, the doctor leaned over and spoke to the anesthetized patient on the table: “Tell your heart to beat again.” Her heart began to pump and the operation ended successfully. Listen to Danny Gokey’s (American Idol Season 8) brief explanation of “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” and then stay another couple of minutes to hear the moving song.

When I first heard someone tell the story behind the song,

Each year I start paperwhite bulbs after Christmas (thank you Santa Sally). I love watching the awakening of the dry, brown bulbs into a glorious head of lush, fragrant white flowers.

I happened to be sitting beside a couple who are good friends of ours. They both had married the love of their lives as young adults. They had children and raised their families for decades. Then both lost their spouses to cancer; an unexpected, crushing end to their planned lifetimes. After a time of grief and adjustment, the widow and widower met each other. Their affection grew and eventually they married. It struck me that our friends also had allowed their hearts “to beat again.” For a time, I am sure it seemed to them that the world had stopped and there was no life ahead. Gradually the healing touch of God revived them.

Everyone faces challenges in life. Obviously, some difficulties are far more devastating than others. I don’t think I’ve encountered the depth of pain, loss, and collapse that some experience. I am grateful but there is more life ahead. When I think of “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” I think of persistence and not giving up. I think of expecting setbacks and realizing life isn’t perfect or easy. Psalm 90:15 says, “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us.” We’ll have both kinds of days. So whatever sadness or failures come our way, God is there reminding us to go on, to check our pulse and get that heart going. Jesus put it bluntly yet hopefully when he said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take HEART! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Frantic Vs. Frenetic

A year ago we had a record-breaking two feet of snow.

In planning for this post on rest, I began to think of adjectives that describe busyness and life pace. I thought of the words frantic and frenetic. I wondered how they were different. A quick Google search of the terms revealed that frantic has to do with one’s mental state and frenetic applies to behaviors and actions. Whether we use the words frantic and frenetic appropriately or not, I am sure we all understand that life in the 21^st century moves recklessly fast! With all our technology and the speed of travel, daily life is overloaded. Should I call it frantic or frenetic?

I am very guilty of both overscheduling my life and carrying out daily routines with excessive effort. According to psychologist Archibald Hart, some important activities require adrenaline and heightened focus, but we should beware of keeping this pace with routine chores. I find this to be true of myself. I catch myself with clenched jaws as I peel carrots or furrowed brows while brushing my teeth. Such intensity is unhealthy.

The Bible speaks many times of rest, of leaning on God, of waiting. Often the message is in the command form: Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). God, having designed our bodies, knows how they work and knows what is best for us physically and mentally. Slowing down, getting away, and listening are frequent admonitions in Scripture. God Himself modelled rest for us by stopping on the seventh day of Creation to sit back and enjoy the wonders He had just created over the previous six days. He invented the Sabbath which is just one of His lifestyle ideals for us.

My sister captured this sweet shot of my parents. My mom is petting a grandcat. Stroking an animal is known to lower blood pressure.

With age, I think we might get better at resting. It could be out of necessity; the body is slowing down, without its former youthful energy. It might be opportunity; less responsibilities and obligations and freer to relax. And with age, wisdom is gained; like Solomon, you realize that being a workaholic is all “vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Our frantic mindset can come to a screeching halt with a snowstorm. Where I live in northern Virginia, snow is a novelty. We don’t get regular snowstorms. When we do get measurable snow, the roads are considered impassable and schools close, providing a wonderful respite. Neighbors gather outside, resting together between shoveling. Kitchens are suddenly happy places simmering with soup smells and the scents of baking. Families sit beside fireplaces talking and laughing. The white blanket puts our frenzied lives to bed.

So while we wait for this winter’s big snow, let’s practice by slowing down and living reasonably. God wants us to savor the life He’s given us but we’re prone to miss His offer. “God has told his people, ‘Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.’ But they would not listen.” Isaiah 28:12

A Pedicure Alternative

A salon pedicure is a luxury I rarely allow myself. I love the look of bright polish and well-tended toes but my frugality keeps me from splurging. My go-to option is filing and painting on my own for a satisfactory appearance. But there is an alternative.

Recently while waiting for a friend at Starbucks, a young man asked if he could share my table since the small shop was crowded. Eventually we broke into conversation. He was in law school in DC but lived in the local neighborhood. He was studying and explained the kind of policy that would be on his exam. Just before my friend arrived, I jotted down the name of a new church in the area and invited him to check it out since it was part of his community.

Another time I texted someone about playing a particular song on her guitar. It turned out that I had the wrong number. The person who got the text replied that it was a wrong number but commented that they also played the guitar . . . in California! I answered that text by suggesting they look up that song, “In Christ Alone,” because it is such a beautiful and meaningful piece.

In both cases, I stepped out of the usual small talk to turn the dialog to something spiritual. In Isaiah it says, “How beautiful are the FEET of those who bring good news … who proclaim salvation.” (Isaiah 52:7) The Apostle Paul quotes those Isaiah words as he calls for Christians to share the Gospel**, the Good News. (Romans 10:15) So there it is: a free pedicure; unattractive, worn feet turned beautiful as they carry the Gospel message!

And while I took advantage of those two situations, I am just as likely to fumble a spiritual opportunity. Talking to a co-worker about aging and death, I squandered an easy occasion to state my clear understanding of heaven. Sharing the Gospel is important and it’s not optional.

Sunny selfie of my December getaway. Headshot, no toes!

Beautiful feet are the promised reward of spreading the Good News. If you’re planning a winter get-away to someplace tropical, get pretty feet and tuck the Gospel in your carry-on!

** Gospel means good news. The Good News is defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. “Christ died for our sins just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day.”

Royal Watching

For my generation, Charles and Diana’s was the wedding of the century.

I admit to being a royal watcher. It may be partly due to my Canadian heritage (Canadians remain loyal to the Crown) or just that little girl princess dream. I love the royal wedding spectacles, the births and christenings, the outfits (but the hats?), and maybe someday, we’ll have a coronation!

Royalty is significant. For most royals, there is excessive wealth complete with lavish lifestyles, palaces and estates, and priceless jewels. There is royal protocol with unique privileges. There is popularity, or banishment. We use expressions like “royal treatment” and “fit for a queen.”

Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas address will be aired at 3 pm on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom. The royal family traditionally spends Christmas at their country estate, Sandringham House. They attend Christmas Day worship services at St. Mary Magdalene, a nearby church dating back to the 1600’s. The Brits await these two events to mark the start of their own celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth followed by Prince Philip at Christmas services in 2015.

It is the Eve of a royal birth! Jesus was and is a royal. His birth was announced centuries before his arrival. An angel chorus and a brilliant star broadcast his birth. Locals and royalty paid tribute to him as a newborn and in the months following. His version of a christening led the temple staff to break out in holy salutations and consecrated blessings. Jesus is here and we should be thrilled and amazed.

I’ve been pondering royal preparation. Royal events are spectacles, full of pomp and glory. No detail is left undone and protocol reigns. This is also true for American presidents and the White House. The Bible says a lot about preparing for King Jesus. The prophet Isaiah wrote of the coming Prince of Peace and preparing the way for Him. That preparation referred to road improvements that preceded the passing of a royal entourage. The Old Testament also foretold of a messenger that would herald the King’s arrival. Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was that herald, preparing the crowds for Himself.

So how prepared am I for the coming royal? Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation. I’ve prepared many things lately but most of it, honestly, has been the trappings of Christmas. It’s time to “prepare Him room in my heart,” as the carol goes. At Christmas, I want to be star-gazed for a glimpse of the King: the world’s greatest royal who gave away all His privilege for my sake, and yours.

Footnote: These Scriptures were referred to: Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 40:3-4; Malachi 3:1; Luke 2; Matthew 11:10 and Luke 7:27.

Get Active

My work has an exercise initiative for the holidays and winter season. The program is called “Get Active.” Signing up is optional, but many of us join it for the friendly competition and incentive to move, since the winter weather and seasonal mood aren’t motivating. There’s plenty of banter in hallways and at meetings about our “number of steps” and tracking our virtual destinations! As I was getting ready for the day recently, I saw a note I had posted to myself: Keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). It reminded me that taking steps and being active is healthy and fun, but being correctly “in step” spiritually is important too.

What does keeping “in step with the Spirit” mean? In another passage, Scripture tells us to be filled with God’s Spirit as opposed to being filled with wine (Ephesians 5:18). Alcohol has the effect of altering behavior to the point where you lose control over your actions and are numbed to reality. Letting the God’s Spirit take control protects us from errors and waywardness, comforts us in daily life, and guides us in decision-making and over attitudes. There is guaranteed safety and companionship as we keep pace with God’s Spirit. As I count my daily steps and stay active, I must also purposefully pursue the One with whom I walk.

These colorful sneakers may be on someone's Christmas wishlist. — These colorful sneakers may be on someone’s Christmas wishlist.

A Teacher and a Cop Say Thanks

On an early morning this fall, I had to return some almost overdue library books. I was avoiding the fines by returning my checkouts before the library opened. The parking lot was empty and I am always a little wary of isolated areas. I was relieved to see ahead of me an officer of the law also making his book returns. Though he was plain-clothed, I knew by the guns and handcuffs on his belt that he was in some kind of law enforcement.

As I approached the book deposit slot, the guy noticed my large stack of books and he turned back to hold the box door open for me. I thanked him and as we both walked away, finished with our library errands, I offered a simple, “Thank you for what you do.” This has, after all, been a tough year for policemen.

He smiled and in a thick Long Island accent returned with, “Thank you for what YOU do.” I was happy to tell him that I teach at the local elementary school. He told me that his three children had attended there. By then, we were both nearing our cars and we parted ways. As I drove on to work, I felt cheered by both acknowledging his contribution to the community, and by the validation that my work also contributed positively to the neighborhood.

We choose our words. Words of thankfulness and gratitude hearten both the speaker and the recipient. In his book The Law of Happiness,* Dr. Henry Cloud describes 12 behaviors proven to benefit mental health; giving thanks is one of them. So cheer yourself and someone else: say “thank you.” In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

*In addition to The Law of Happiness, I recommend Radical Gratitude by my childhood friend, Ellen Vaughn.