The local bagel shop was uber (excuse my German) cheerful that morning! Patrons and clients alike exuded a happy mood. A school aged girl sharing a bagel with her mom noticed a wad of bills on the floor. She picked it up and handed it to the manager. The manager quickly realized which customer had dropped it. A teen was happy to get his spending money back. Later the manager rewarded the honest girl with a free cookie.
I guess every Eastern seaboard town has its English twin. This is the tea from ours.
As our breakfast continued, I observed another guy checking out with his order. The cashier took his cash payment and reached out with the guy’s change, which was more than just a few ones. The customer waved it off, giving it back to the worker as a generous tip. “Thanks, man,” the cashier answered in surprise!
Not too few customers later, another man drifted by our table on his way out. He cheerily offered that he was on his way to sell nuts and bolts and added that it was a job he loved! He was especially happy that day to be headed to the Marine base in Jacksonville, NC. He appreciated being able to do business with the military, he said.
We left the bagel shop behind a family of three. The manager teasingly hollered to them, “Have a good drive back to Hawaii!” All three of them were wearing t-shirts from Hawaii … but you can’t get there by car. Hopefully, they smiled at the quip.
So, are things always this happy where I live? Of course not. Like any town in America or any place in the world there are difficulties and tragedies. This summer our town experienced a family murder. It shocks a community to witness that kind of tragedy: a young woman’s life gone; the rest of the family torn apart. Every place eventually experiences the same.
The towns that I am currently thinking so much about are the hamlets and the hollows of western North Carolina. Beautiful, rural mountain communities were ripped apart by rare flooding due to Hurricane Helene. The loss of life is still being counted, property devastation is widespread, and the infrastructures of water, electricity, roads, and internet are still heavily damaged. The ‘happy’ part of this, and I don’t joke or take lightly the deep loss and pain, is the way folks are coming together to help. Big organizations and small are sending supplies and showing up to be involved. Local ministries, churches, and schools and colleges in the mountains are also answering the call to reach out to their own, like Queen Esther, unexpectedly called “for such a time as this” (Esther 4 v 14). Among them are Samaritan’s Purse, headquartered in Boone, NC, literally on the ground immediately; sister ministry, Billy Graham retreat center, The Cove, now housing volunteers and law enforcement personnel; and Excel College in Black Mountain, who have agreed to host Adventures in Missions Disaster Relief. Our friends the Horvaths head up Adventures Relief and have committed to two years of disaster recovery in the Swannanoa Valley area. They will soon move their family of six, in their home on wheels, to Black Mountain, NC. You can follow their mission at Adventures.org/relief.
God promises to make “beauty from ashes” (Isaiah 61 v 3). We are witnessing goodness out of calamity. And I love that this good movement is receiving positive publicity for many to see! Jesus encouraged action of His followers, saying, “so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5 v 16) AMEN
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It’s an odd thing to be grateful for, waiting rooms. Specifically, waiting rooms in a doctor’s office or clinic. Though some doctors offer plush lobbies with a stack of great magazines, that’s not the ones I have in mind. I am referring to ones with sterile styling and plasticized upholstered chairs. Though there may be light chatter, more often there is a serious quietude. In these anterooms, one observes unfiltered humanity. It’s like people watching at an airport but with far more pathos. So why would I be grateful for waiting rooms? It’s not the patience factor.
Experiencing waiting rooms evokes gratitude in me first because I usually see folks who are going through so much more than me. Whatever I may be dealing with that brought me to this place, it is clear that others are suffering and facing more serious, even life-threatening illnesses. It is hard and humbling to see sick people or those going through extreme treatment.
During one wait, my husband noticed a frail, elderly woman come in alone. She checked in and was handed a clipboard of forms that appeared to overwhelm and confuse her. He asked if she wanted help, and he was able to read and write for her until she was called back for her appointment. Another time we ran into a friend of mine and her husband. We greeted each other but didn’t ask any questions; later I found out her husband had advanced cancer. I thank God for the reminder, the wakeup call, about my many blessings, including my health.
I also welcome the opportunity to witness the goodness of mankind in medical lobbies. In the waiting and watching I observe care and concern between families, between friends. I have noticed elderly sisters; husbands and wives, young and old; adult children with a parent; paid caregivers; and other companions accompanying patients. There’s so much to admire and appreciate in the compassion and sacrifice of one to another. One young woman, clearly experiencing difficult illness and treatment, came in with her uncle who lived several states away because her husband had to be out of town on business – heartwarming and heart wrenching all at once. But it is good to see goodness.
Theologians call this goodness “common grace.” It’s the capacity God gives His human creation to do good, as He Himself is good. Doing good is not to be equated with salvation however: salvation comes through faith in Jesus, God’s grace-filled gift to us. The Scriptures say, “ … He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy …” Titus 3 v 5 But our disposition for goodness, despite our sinful selves, uplifts us and ultimately lifts us to acknowledge God, the provider of goodness, compassion, and salvation.
We are grateful for God’s encouraging presence during a recent medical journey.
References on gratitude: Psalm 136, 1 Thessalonians 5 v15 & v18. If you receive my blog via email, thank you. The posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”
The trek through turmoil is a slow one. When mess surrounds, the mundane persists. Life unravels but the dishwasher needs to be loaded and unloaded, the car needs gas, and the trash must go out. Elisabeth Elliot, widow of one of five missionaries murdered in the Ecuadorian jungle in 1956, taught this admonition: “do the next thing.” In other words, in that spot of loss or commotion, you move forward to a task at hand, however menial, even if you don’t feel like it.
John Ortberg assigns such a holding pattern to the Saturday between the crucifixion and the Resurrection. He writes of the “silent Saturday,” when the terror and adrenaline of Friday’s nightmare were over, yet no one knew about Sunday’s coming triumph (Ortberg, 2012). The followers of Jesus could not foresee it, especially as they waited through the silent Saturday ritual day of Sabbath rest.
But they got through Saturday and got up on Sunday. With their world having fallen apart, Mary and two other women arose early, prepared spices, and went to the tomb to embalm the dead body of Jesus. It was a routine task, but they managed to get up and “do the next thing.” (As ordinary as the women’s act of ministration was, it is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew 28 v 1, Mark 16 v 1, Luke 24 v 1, John 20 v 1.) And that’s when they discovered the miracle! The tomb was empty, angels on guard, and then their encounter with Jesus! In doing the mundane, they experienced the Divine!
In our lives, the extremes are not usually as glaring as crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday. We face losses and tragedy, healing and success. In the middle life of these, we press forward in daily simple obedience to God. Though I find the encouragement to “do the next thing” very helpful, here on Easter Monday, I remind myself that every day this side of the cross is really a victory lap!
Ortberg, John. (2012) Who Is This Man? Zondervan.
Credit for this photo goes to the official Paris 2024 Olympics site.
This past spring the movie “Jesus Revolution” was released in theaters, more than doubling its projected earnings for the first three opening days, eventually making fifty million in theater showings. A digital format has now been released and the movie played on Netflix. I did not see the movie in the theater but recently watched it on Netflix.
“Jesus Revolution” is the true story of hippie Christians in Southern California. The movie is based on a book of the same title, written by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn. I grew up with Ellen and am happy for her continuing success as an author. I have clear recollections about the hippie era. I remember the church facing the issues of the day: rock music, drugs, freedom, and anti-establishment sentiment. But genuine faith in Jesus among hippies needed to be celebrated and welcomed in traditional churches and that struggle played out in the movie.
In the early 70’s, hippies seeking truth found the truth of Jesus and began spreading the Gospel among their peers. The movie tracks a hippie Christian leader and his connection to a local church pastor, picking up on the spiritual story of a young man named Greg Laurie. The hippie pastor, Lonnie Spears, is shepherding his flock of young Christians in a commune-like setting. He teaches them and ministers to practical needs, eventually forging a relationship with a local pastor and his traditional church. The local pastor takes a risk on Lonnie, but it proves fruitful for the most part. I was captivated by this part of the story because the pastor of the church my husband and I attended for decades was also named Lon, and he too followed Jesus in the 70’s, radically changed from pushing drugs and a freefall lifestyle. Like Greg Laurie who turned to Jesus and still pastors a large ministry in Southern California, the Lord had a great plan for our Pastor Lon, who ministered to thousands, including us!
On just about a weekly basis, my husband and I recall a sermon or something we learned under our pastor for all those years. We and so many others grew spiritually because of our pastor’s commitment to God’s call of ministry on his life. I think of other pastors who have been used by God in my spiritual life too. Pastor means shepherd. Pastors lead their flocks, who wander and may be unappreciative. Ministry is hard and at times, unrewarding. The movie shows how it is personally demanding and involves difficult people dynamics. This is common in churches, but God’s work always continues, even in disappointing circumstances.
October is Clergy Appreciation Month. I encourage you to express your appreciation to those who minister in your life: pastors, Sunday School teachers, Bible study leaders, youth group volunteers, and other church staff. They will appreciate your heartfelt “thank you.” Scripture tells us to do this: “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.” 1 Thessalonians 5 v 12-13a
This building in Parry Sound, Ontario now houses Harvest Church.
I took the feature photo of this 100 year old church last summer as I vacationed in Muskoka, Ontario. The church is located just blocks from Parry Sound that connects to Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. My husband and I attended the Sunday worship service here with relatives, and I recall the encouragement of the gathering and the meaningful Bible sermon. Timing is everything: I had recently experienced a hard conflict.
You might wonder why we “wasted” a day of vacation by going to church. Aren’t there fifty-one other weekends to attend church? We went not out of obligation, but to join a community of fellow believers (that’s fellowship). Personal blessings flow from music, a message, and even as visitors we taste of local ministry at work. I have particularly experienced that worshipping in a new setting, not my own church, has unique benefits. I am not distracted by who’s leading praise or what friends are in attendance, rather I focus solely on the elements of the service, and I gain reassurance from new congregations who share my faith. A waste? Not at all! As the Psalm goes, “Better is one day in Your courts, than a thousand elsewhere.” Psalm 84 v 10
Yesterday was another case in point. In a small group at our church, we discussed 1 Peter chapter two*. It starts out boldly with a charge against several evils related to lying (1 Peter 2 v 1). A deeper dive took us back a few sentences into the first chapter of 1 Peter. There, God’s Word clarified that those who follow Jesus are “purified … by your obedience to the truth” (1 Peter 1 v 22). Yes, that makes sense: truth is the opposite of lies. The passage continues by highlighting the strength of pure brotherly love (v 22), the importance of God’s “abiding” word (v 23) and the value of hearing it preached (v 25). Devoted community, reliance on the Bible, and Gospel preaching are all found in none other than the church! There is no substitute for joining a church, and it will be okay if you miss a Sunday on vacation!
*1 Peter, which is usually read as “first Peter,” is the first of two letters the apostle Peter wrote to Christians in Roman provinces in the early 60’s AD
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This is the church we now call home in NC, taken at peak azalea season!
I’m stuck at a hurdle here. This is the 100th post on my “A Writer’s Daughter” blog site. One hundred is a milestone and suggests something significant. One hundred is a century and a dollar. The 100th day of the school year is a big deal at the primary grades; teachers always look for creative things to celebrate, and the number 100 is important in our numbering system so it’s a math lesson too! But this time, my mind isn’t formulating a significant contribution to honor one hundred.
On the five-year anniversary of my blog, I wrote a recap of my venture into blog writing. I reviewed my highs and lows, topics of my posts and my continued goal in writing. Those reflections remain the same just 15 months later so I will let them stand. You can reread them at https://www.brendaproulx.com/2021/08/
I will move forward past the hundred marker now and pursue the next blog topic, as God allows me ideas and time. Mostly, thank you for reading my posts, encouraging me, and sharing your comments. I pray my writing ministers to you, as it does to me and that I might “abound … in this labor, knowing that it is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
I have a love of all things English, so my husband bought me a Queen’s commemorative teacup and saucer in London.
Many will be writing their two pence about the royal events of these last few days, but this is not my first royal post. On December 24, 2016, I posted a piece entitled “Royal Watching” on my blog. In that post, I shared that my mother’s Canadian heritage had fostered in me a curiosity and appreciation for the Royal family. So, with the rest of the world, I have followed the pathos and pageantry of the Queen’s death over the past eleven days. This came only weeks after a summer of festivities celebrating 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
Today’s events were impressive, full of the gilded rituals of regal traditions, in the places and with the people who are intricately part of royal life. In addition to the majestic formalities, especially those associated with Charles becoming king, an overtone of spiritual themes emerged. Death often leads to thinking about deeper things, things eternal, and this has been the case in the last eleven days.
Taken from my TV, the cross stands out above the coffin.
Going back to the coronation of young Queen Elizabeth II, her outspoken commitment was to serve as Great Britain’s sovereign with God’s help, for as long as God kept her in that position. She continued that course with that mindset until her very last days. It is what we admired in the Queen and what drew us to her: her deep, unwavering dignity and commitment to duty, a life of service to her people because of her understanding that it was God’s call on her life.
It was solemn when the crown, scepter and orb were removed from the top of the coffin and placed on the altar, but hymns sung at the committal service expressed hope: “All My Hope on God is Founded” and “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.”
There is so much to say and much has already been said, so I need to be brief and maybe we can chat about it more over tea one day. I will close by sharing some of a PBS interview today with Rachel Treweek, a bishop in the House of Lords. Bishop Treweek reiterated that the Queen’s profession of faith was in Jesus Christ and because of Queen Elizabeth’s personal trust in the redeeming work of Christ on the cross, she now enjoys life eternal in the presence of her Maker. That verity is what was so beautifully and profoundly on stage in the glory and pageantry of today’s services and ceremonies.
“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
In the last entry of my “Hindsight is 20/20” trilogy, I leave you with thoughts that helped sustain me in the trials of that year. I wrote about the pandemic crisis and the racial uprising in parts one and two, and part three could have covered the contentious presidential campaign and election which completed the trifecta of trials in 2020, but I share, instead, words of strength and comfort from that year.
As I often encourage my blog readers, regular time spent reading the Bible grounds us. During the pandemic and shutdowns, I leaned into time in God’s Word for solace and direction. A couple of phrases from the Bible stood out to me at the time. One of them was portion – “the Lord is my portion.” It is found a couple of times in Scripture (Psalm 16:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 142:5, Lamentations 3:24). I don’t know the historical background of the word and its connotations, but I thought of portion as the serving size. We hear about portion control, not overeating but not starving ourselves either. I felt comfort in the idea that I could be sure God was my ‘enough.’ In a time of uncertainty and isolation, God was enough for me. He had promised me that and I felt hopeful.
Another phrase in Scripture that I came across was “hold fast.” It is not commonly used these days, but we know it to mean a tight grip or a strong bond like that of a good glue. Sometimes the Biblical phrase refers to how we are safely in God’s grip (Psalm 139:10). There’s a newer hymn entitled “He Will Hold Me Fast.” I had the sheet music and played it often on the piano. The lovely tune and meaningful lyrics representing concepts found in Scripture, brought me comfort and strength in the trials of 2020. God did hold us fast as we faced unfathomable changes from Covid and other upheavals in that stressful time. See the youtube link below for “He Will Hold Me Fast” performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty.
At church this past Sunday, the worship reading contained another “hold fast” Scripture. Hebrews 4:14 says, “Since we have a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” In this case, we are the subject encouraged to complete the action. We are directed to hold firmly to our profession of faith in Jesus.
Statement signs have become popular. I saw this one professing part of the Apostle’s Creed.
The year 2020 is far behind us, but the fallout lingers. As I stated in part one, I am sure hindsight is not 20/20 this time. There still isn’t agreement on what happened and what should have been done. I look back and rest on the full confidence that God held us fast in 2020 and that our role now is to hold fast onto Him in all things and at all times.
Part 2
In part 1 of “Hindsight is 20/20” I addressed the pandemic of 2020, but the year 2020 held more difficulty for us to process and the church to deal with. In May of 2020, suspect George Floyd died in police custody. A highly publicized video of the disturbing event set off protests that turned into violent, destructive, and deadly riots lasting for weeks across this country. Vocal and more highly publicized activists blamed the situation on racism and injustice. The outcry was for “social justice.”
Again, the church struggled to respond. Some Christians claimed that the Bible was all about social justice and that the Gospel was a message of racial reconciliation. My own church at the time quickly launched a five-week class on the issues, which became very controversial. I cannot claim to be an expert on these matters in Scripture but after a lot of listening and reading there are a few things about the Bible and social justice that I can confidently state.
The word justice (but not social justice) is frequently found in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. It is very often paired with the word righteousness. In Scripture, God clearly condemns dishonest scales and witnesses, unjust judges, bribery, and taking advantage of widows, orphans, and the poor. God’s Word also praises kings and leaders who treat people justly. But a closer look at the use of the word justice in Scripture reveals that usually the term is referring to the justice of God: the fact that disobeying His ways requires consequences. God’s justice demands a ‘payment’ for sin. The Gospel is not the idea of fixing human problems like racism: the Gospel is the Good News that Jesus’ death is the payment for sin, giving each of us access to full forgiveness and reconciliation to God! Much of this transparency was muddled in attempts to be sensitive to the unrest that was going on.
During that summer of the pandemic with its lockdowns and racial turmoil, I sat next to a young Black man on a flight. Through our masks, we exchanged small talk. I was heading home, and he was headed to DC for a commemoration of the MLK “I Have a Dream” speech. Despite our differences in race, age and gender, the conversation was respectful and friendly, a vast contrast to the narrative of hostility and inequality that was being pronounced everywhere. These positive encounters, sadly, are not highly publicized.
I continue to see regular displays of diverse folks getting along, even in a Southern town where prejudices may have once run deep. I’ve noticed the older white man insisting on lifting a case of bottled water for a Black woman, though the Costco employee was also ready to help. In a busy medical waiting room, I heard the white receptionist mispronounce an African American name and then further mistake another African American for her relative, but she felt no offense, only smiled and returned to her smartphone. On the other side of the lobby a woman of color was knitting and eventually gathered a circle of white ladies interested in her project. I overheard part of the conversation, chimed in and she gave me her business card. So, it seems to me that hindsight is not black and white either.
Of course, racial problems exist. The human heart is not pure and easily tends toward animosity, but our hearts also have an awareness of what is good. While the tragic was sensationalized in the George Floyd case, the norm in this nation is often good and fair. We can thank God for that and continue to pray for and act with understanding. The Gospel transforms hearts, which is the ultimate answer.
To close, here are two Scriptures describing the equality of the Gospel on earth and in heaven. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:28, and “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ),” Revelation 7:9.
Part 1
Two years ago this month, the pandemic became real to me. Without forewarning, the school district where I was teaching, closed its doors on Friday the 13th of March 2020! It took weeks to implement an on-line instructional plan and train us to teach virtually. Our nation then experienced a gradual shut-down of most places: stores and other businesses, restaurants, schools, offices, and even medical facilities and houses of worship. Government orders prohibited assembling. Hindsight is 20/20 and at the time, scientists, medical experts, and politicians had no idea how to handle a new and different virus.
The church, too, struggled to respond. In most cases, local and state mandates regulated, mostly banning, in-person gatherings. Later, a Presidential directive declared religious groups as “essential,” thereby allowing some church ministry. Church leaders quickly rallied calling for Christian courage and I heard more than one pastor reference the sacrificial and heroic courage of 3rd century Christians during a deadly pandemic in Rome. Eventually however, a trending pandemic mindset took over and churches followed suit. My own church cancelled in-person services prior to local mandates to do so and months later reopened with stricter protocols than were required. A year into the pandemic, I watched a nationally known minister state that his congregation would not gather in-person due to continuing local COVID cases. “We wouldn’t want anyone to die,” he explained. What a shocking remark as a Christian who lives not for this temporary life on earth, but for the reality of eternity in glory, like Paul wrote of in Philippians 1:23! Of course, Christians do not recklessly endanger their lives, but we have much to joyfully anticipate, not fear, in eternal life.
In 2020, the church strained under a myriad of pressures, but it is founded on Scripture, which commands us to gather together as Christ followers (Hebrews 10:25). In fact, the statement takes an unusual negative position: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some.” According to Christian author and respected preacher Timothy Keller, this ‘gather’ term entails far more than attendance. It suggests deep connection in community, something built only through personal interaction.
If law and policy collide with Biblical principles, how do Christians respond? That is a huge question that a blog post can’t tackle but I will point you to Scripture. The Bible tells us that God ordains government for the good of society (Romans 13:1-2). It also tells us that God’s law supersedes man’s laws. Christians obey God, over man, when they conflict (Acts 5:29).
Yes, hindsight is 20/20. More is known now about the virus, its transmission, and treatments but a lot remains unknown. And all of it remains polarized. I wonder if hindsight is not as clear as we would hope, in this case. Will we ever know all the facts of the virus and motives of resultant policies? I think not. I end with these words that I think explain our lack of clarity: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Answers await us in eternity.
“Cursed is the ground.” Yes, I have been wanting to write about gardening as I continue my first decade of writing. When I began this blog, I tested the waters by posting some “glearnings” from gardening. A new yard (and new climate and new soil) inspires me to discuss gardening again. From an early moment when I mistakenly thought the builder had cleared out a cherished live oak, what a trial the raw landscape has been! I have no trouble understanding the Garden of Eden curse. But like the curse of painful childbearing which culminates joyfully in a baby’s birth, “toil in the soil” richly rewards the heart and soul. (Find the two curses in Genesis 3:16-17)
I foraged this Purple Heart before we even moved in. They multiply nicely – fingers crossed!
So, what happened in our new yard? Well, surprisingly stuff grows in sand! We started with seeding a lawn and it worked! Sowing grass seed in bare sand seemed impossible but the seed germinated; we have a grassy lawn except where a heavy rain washed out a hilly spot and pesty crabgrass happily filled in.
I admit that I enjoy the better end of our gardening equation: my husband does the hard and heavy work while I play with plants. So far, I’ve had six months of garden dabbling with a host of mishaps to show for it. Here are a few of my fiascos:
We transported about two dozen of our favorite hostas to NC. While waiting to be planted (on the patio table), the deer feasted one night leaving us barely a stem! Talk about preparing a table for my (gardening) enemies, Psalm 23:5! A few other remaining hostas set out in a border were pulverized by a strong hailstorm just a week or two later! A transplanted oak sapling, also from Virginia, met its demise with the mower.
We were happy to take a young crape myrtle offered by neighbors and it likes the spot.
New flowers I tried ended similarly. A splurge purchase of a beautiful unique vinca, which would reseed annually, mysteriously keeled over, probably stray herbicide! Locally popular mandevilla vines have yielded zero growth and blooms. Portulacas that I remember self-seeding in the sidewalk cracks of my childhood neighborhood apparently drowned with too much rain. Four ‘o clocks that I grew from seed aren’t blooming at four o’ clock, nor at any time. A friend sent me lily bulbs which produced lovely pink flowers but they’re another deer delicacy, so I netted them … but the netting trapped a snake, a good snake that we wanted to keep around. (My brother-in-law managed to free it with his fishing expertise.) Geraniums hate the heat, and torrenia didn’t fare any better. Indoors, the Majestic Palm that I planted on Palm Sunday unfurls fresh fronds that quickly turn an unroyal brown. But with grass underfoot, some lush potted ferns, and a planned landscape to be installed next month, we count our blessings in this new place. I think gardeners like me embrace “the thrill of victory AND the agony of defeat,” as ABC’s Wide World of Sports used to say!
The Bible speaks often about all types of vegetation; it was written during a time when earth’s produce greatly impacted survival, keeping our ancestors attuned to their environment. Many Scriptures suit my topic of gardening, but I will share a verse I read today. It mentioned a tree flourishing in its native soil (Psalm 37:35). Incorporating native flora and trees promotes the environment. I enjoy finding and planting natives. In the context of Psalm 37, the thriving tree compares to the flourishing of evil, when wickedness seems to thrive. Certainly, godless philosophy gains the upper hand at times, and right living faces threats, but the rest of the verse promises this about evil times: (it) passed away and was no more and could not be found (Psalm 37:36). We can rest well on that promise.
As I farewell this series inspired by a recent beach vacation, I end with the topic of beach goodbyes. Although our beach crowd enjoys time together oceanside, a big deal is not made of the parting. Occasionally someone snaps a group photo or contact info is exchanged but mostly all linger late to soak in the last of the waves, the sun, the view that we really came for.
I’ve given thought to farewell phrases. “Goodbye” seems inadequate for a longer separation. I stay away from “good luck,” believing as a Christian that nothing is luck; all is known by the Lord. “Blessings” works and offers to pray for someone is great if you really commit to praying for them! Some say fun multilingual parting words like “Adios” or “Au revoir.” During COVID, I ended a few work emails with “Salud,” a Spanish greeting wishing good health – seemed cute for an ESOL teacher!
A goodbye that I like and use occasionally is “Godspeed.” Godspeed is an older English expression of farewell, used mostly when referring to a journey. It can be a wish of prosperity and safety but since it calls on God, to me, it appeals for God’s favor and guidance. And if God’s presence is invoked, surely, He desires to lead us spiritually, not just directionally or for gain. As I parted with one beach acquaintance, I wished her “Godspeed,” knowing with the miles ahead, our mature years, and Covid’s nasty presence, it best expressed our need for Jesus’ presence in our lives. I also gave her one of my blog cards, aiming to be salt and light in her life (see Part 2).
Godspeed brings to my mind a classic Scripture that most of us know as written in the old King James Bible version: “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) God always desires to journey us to right living because that’s what brings Him the most glory; He wants us to stay on His path.
On the Atlantic coast, we see only sunrises, so our sunset photos are out the back door, looking west. #Duneset #signpost?!
Vacation Trilogy: Part 2, Beach Salt and Light
Salt and light. That’s what vacationers hope for at the beach: plenty of salty ocean air, the therapeutic salinity of the sea, and lots and lots of sunLIGHT! All of these were delightfully plentiful on our recent vacation.
In Part 1, I shared that we have taken this same vacation for over 30 years. Many other guests at our moderate motel, and even others who rent nearby beach homes, have also vacationed the same July week. We have become beach friends for one week per year. With only a couple of exceptions, I don’t have contact with these folks outside of beach week. However, with years of sitting together oceanside, relationships have formed. We know much about each other, seeing the families grow with children and grandchildren, marking the milestones such as graduations and weddings, witnessing sad losses in families, and being spectator to the occasional drama!
I notice how life’s going for our beachmates. After a while, lifestyles and values surface. Family dynamics emerge in the week of togetherness. Priorities are evident. Though my best beach week is to get lost in reading, reading, reading under my big beach umbrella, I try to step into conversations and time with friends who also have noticed quite a bit about me and my family over the decades. It is never far from my mind that I am called to be salt and light to those around me, to the circle of acquaintances at our annual week at the beach.
Jesus said to his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. “ (Matthew 5:13-14) He expounded on the metaphors saying that salt should be salty, potent; that light should shine, be bright and visible. Jesus warns that flavorless salt is useless and discarded; hidden light is ineffective.
Around East Coast beach towns, I often see a bumper sticker that just says, “SaltLife.” It’s a statement about a coastal state of mind. In the same stylized font, I’ve seen another bumper sticker that mixes it up a bit saying, “Be Salty.” Under “Be Salty” are the words of Mark 9:50: “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Again, this is Jesus’ charge to His followers, and to us who follow Jesus still.
Vacation Trilogy: Part 1, Beach Worship
For over three decades, we’ve vacationed at the same spot on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We visit with many of the same people and repeat favorite annual activities, yet each year is unique. For only the second time, my husband and I went alone on this year’s vacation: no kids, other relatives or friends joined us this time.
For quite a few years, my husband has attended Beach Worship early on our first morning, Sunday. I haven’t tagged along, preferring to visit with those who were staying with us. But solo this year, I decided to attend church on the beach with him! He managed a couple of chairs, and we biked the easy mile down the road.
About two dozen folks were gathered on the open public beach. The church team was in place, greeting us, handing out song sheets, testing the sound system. The service began with a brass quintet playing a hymn anthem. What a joyful sound drifting over the ocean, almost better than the praise bands of contemporary services! My husband commented that this was new and a big improvement from canned music of previous years. The beach-going congregation then sang two songs, led haltingly by an amateur volunteer. Finally, the pastor delivered his brief message which seemed prepared and Scripturally sound. The service ended with a brass postlude, and we were on our way before the sun became scorching.
My husband and I have attended many flourishing churches and heard many great preachers. Comparatively, Beach Worship in Kitty Hawk, NC is tiny and simple. One wonders, what is its impact and purpose? The explanation is that God has called a man and others to do His Work, and they have faithfully responded to God’s challenge.
God is like that, challenging us with opportunities that may defy reason. Is God calling you to fully believe Jesus Christ, or to obey His designs for your life, or to serve and minister as you’re gifted? Listen for His call; take the chance on answering. Luke 16:10
This blog, “The Writer’s Daughter,” is now five years old and I will say more about that soon. Starting the blog and putting my writing out there was a response to God’s prodding in my life. It is simple and small, and one wonders at its purpose and impact, but I took the chance on answering the call.
Missions Disaster Relief. Our friends the Horvaths head up Adventures Relief and have committed to two years of disaster recovery in the Swannanoa Valley area. They will soon move their family of six, in their home on wheels, to Black Mountain, NC. You can follow their mission at Adventures.org/relief.
