Spiritual – Page 7 – A Writer's Daughter

Epic Departures

My niece departed from her wedding in epic fashion. Her reception took place at an old sailing club on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands. A ferocious tropical storm blew through the area the day before the wedding, nearly cutting off the island and jeopardizing the reception plans. But the day of the wedding dawned with sunny blue skies prevailing. After a chapel wedding, a beautiful nautical reception ensued and as the sun began to set, an antique fishing craft pulled up to the dock. The bride and her new husband literally sailed off into the sunset. Epic bests describes the perfect scene!

Billy Graham’s recent funeral was an epic departure too. After a famed life and his extraordinary reputation for genuineness, Billy Graham became one of only four non-statesman to “lie in honor” in the United States Capitol Rotunda. Crowds came to pay respects to a man who boldly yet plainly preached the Gospel, including my husband and me who took an afternoon to attend the Capitol viewing. Two former U.S. presidents paid their respects to Rev. Graham in repose at his North Carolina homestead and the President and Vice President, along with their wives, attended his funeral service. The worldwide attention to his death was remarkable.

I snapped this as we left the Capitol viewing.

Jesus Christ faced an epically gruesome departure from his human life. Crucifixion was a cruel Roman method of torture and execution. Jesus endured tremendous physical pain on the cross but Scripture informs us that his emotional anguish and spiritual pain were more crushing. Even the surroundings reacted to Jesus’ death. The sky turned dark for several hours during the day, there was an earthquake and a massive temple curtain ripped in half! It must have been terrifying.

Departures leave impressions but there is more to consider. Weddings evoke joy and celebration but a solid marriage means so much more. Funerals provide comfort and hope which remind us to live our own lives well. And Jesus is not so much remembered for his suffering and death but for his victory over it. He triumphed over that brutal execution and the burden of our guilt and returned to life, escaping death’s curse. This is the Resurrection; this is Easter. God’s promise to you is that your death too can be “swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54) by complete faith in Jesus’ death for you.

Life, Love and Loss

Contrasts. For me, the juxtaposition of opposite ideas, experiences or images ignites comprehension and awakens emotions. Sunsets display beautiful contrasts as fading light bounces off of the darkening horizon. Many foods pair contrasting flavors of sweet with salty or spicy. Home decorators prominently place accents of contrasting color, like the orange touches I’ve added to a bedroom of mauve. Contrasts cause me to contemplate.

Last month, I saw two friends in greatly contrasting situations. The one friend is quite young and has just had her first baby. We visited together and I watched her care for her newborn with mothering skill that was becoming more natural for her. We talked about her new life. She’s enjoyed a season of being at home. We discussed her marriage and the very great transition husbands and wives go through, from footloose couplehood to the parenting responsibilities of a threesome family. They ponder jobs, a home, more children and keeping their romance alive. New parenthood brings joy, wonder, adjustment and a changed reality.

The day after seeing my young friend and her baby, I attended a memorial service for the husband of a long-time acquaintance. Through social media, I was aware that her husband had been diagnosed with cancer but I had not spent any time with them in years. The couple was set up by friends because “they were from the same state, were both tall, and both liked to laugh.” It was a perfect match and love endured for 27 good years. With amazing composure, the widow shared fun and meaningful stories of those nearly three decades together. The couple came to understand that God’s timing for his life would be shorter than they had envisioned but their faith assured them of God’s plan in even this loss.

So life conflicted with loss; a baby’s arrival contrasting a husband’s passing; a cradle and a casket. But life and loss can be mastered by love. I don’t mean to say that loss is easy. Death, especially untimely bereavement, is tragic and devastating. Love isn’t replaced but it isn’t lost either. My widowed friend read this Scripture to summarize the faith and love she and her husband shared: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12: 9 – 11

Now That’s a BHAG

A few small tables displaying a basic assortment of Christian books and Bibles line a corner of the large lobby of my church. I stopped there in December to buy a little gift. Lots of other folks thought of shopping there too, so a line had formed. As I got closer to the cashier, I spotted my friend Cheryl who runs the book ministry as a volunteer. People were commenting that she was busy with sales and she replied, “My goal is to outsell Amazon!” Now that’s a BHAG!

A BHAG is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. James Collins and Jerry Porras coined the term in an effort to incentivize companies and employees to dream really big. The idea is not necessarily to set a realistic, reachable goal but to think way beyond expectations and believe in the impossible. For example, Walt Disney embodied the BHAG mindset and he achieved legendary success. The adage “Reach for the moon and if you miss you’ll still be among the stars” is a similar expression.

We have just begun the New Year. This is a season when many set goals, or at least reconsider priorities. But New Year’s resolutions almost seem out of vogue these days because people fail at them or forget them so quickly. I am not keen on setting New Year’s resolutions yet I do think of a new year as a fresh start and a chance to improve and grow. My nature is pragmatic and realistic so BHAGs aren’t my mental default. Instead I mull over changes I want to make and prayerfully reset priorities for my time. Above all, I love to make lists, which is a type of goal. Lists, and weekly planners, act as short term goals for me and the reward for me is checking them off. Apparently this is not a bad idea. Just the other day a professional email came through at my work suggesting that making very low, easy-to-reach goals was helpful. As the goals are met, mood and accomplishment improve.

A friend just gave me this planner, photographed in the same setting as my blog theme photo. The planner was created by Cheryl Martin and the Excellent Living organization.

Speaking of work, you might be surprised to know that elementary students are required to write personal goals quite regularly. Counselors provide guidance about how to draft goals. Young students come up with some winners: “I want to spelle beter.” Children often lack the maturity to implement steps to meet their goals. Things like practicing math facts daily teaches the student the times tables, but kids don’t always make that connection. My hope is that children do begin to understand the link between effort and success; that is an important part of education and life.

So how does this topic of goals connect to words from the Author of Life, which is the aim of my blog? I think the Bible states some incredible BHAGs. For example, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” That sounds wonderful but God spoke those words to people in captivity, living in exile a thousand miles from their homeland. For them, prosperity and hope were a BHAG! Another amazing Scripture BHAG is, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Wow, God outperforms even our wildest imagination but the fine print identifies that the power is God’s and only if that power is activated in you, by belief and repentance. Which leads to the ultimate Biblical BHAG: God’s plan, His goal for mankind. Scripture states that the one sacrificial death of Jesus justifies the sins of the entire world, for those who claim that truth (Romans chapter 5). And that is NOT a wishful BHAG; it is a goal accomplished, a task finished, for you to embrace in this New Year 2018!

Postscript: I don’t know if you can PS a blog post, but I will add this anyway. When I announced my blog, a friend emailed me back that she hoped my blog would reach millions. I was thankful for Cynthia’s dream for me. My goal is to write regularly, highlighting God’s word with my experiences. I have usually met my own deadlines in the past 18 months and I appreciate all of you who are reading and sharing my posts. Please feel free to continue sharing it and sign up to automatically receive posts, if you haven’t already. The best way to find my blog on-line is www.brendaproulx.com.

Deeply Rooted

I began plant propagation experimenting with a date palm. At about 10 years old, I got a pit from a dried date and decided to plant it to try to grow a palm tree. I covered the pit with dirt and set my flowerpot in a sunny window. I watered and waited. After many weeks, actually it turned into months, the pot remained unchanged. I figured my seed was dead so I dug into the pot. To my great delight, the pit had sprouted and was sending up a shoot. I filled the soil back in and eventually witnessed the emergence of a mini palm tree complete with leafy fronds. I guess that success hooked me!

Succulents are easy to root and that’s how I got all these. Mezoo is a favorite tropical.

I have grown quite a few trees since then. From its fruit I have grown a paw paw tree, a Hardy Orange, and an Osage tree. In addition to those three, our yard includes some sassafras trees and a mulberry, as well as Rose of Sharon, barberry and grape holly shrubs that were raised from replanted saplings or cuttings. Some of our evergreens came from the north and from Forest Department saplings given away at the New York State Fair. Many of our woodland perennials grew from transplants from elsewhere or were shared by gardening friends. Once established, a lot of these kinds of plants naturalize again on their own and fill in large areas or they can be passed on to the next gardening friend.

I call this the candy corn vine: it blooms in October. Its real name is Mina Lobata, Spanish
Flag vine, and it’s one of my few seed successes this year.

Rooting plant cuttings yields the most reward for me. It’s so easy to snip a vine or side stem, plop it into water, and watch the roots appear! My husband collected antique glass bottles which now serve as lovely vases for my windowsill cuttings. My green thumb is much fainter however, when it comes to starting from seeds. I buy and plant seeds every year but few seem to make it all the way to the flowerbeds. Some germinate but I’ve discovered that growing to garden size is challenging. I understand why plant nurseries have to charge so much for annuals. I think an elegant glass conservatory would be the perfect place to tend my tiny plants and I discovered an abandoned greenhouse nearby, but somehow I’ve been unable to convince my husband that he should relocate it to our property!

My potting still life. It was a sharing project.

The Bible says a lot about planting. Ancient cultures survived through cultivation. “Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.” (Colossians 2:7) The Apostle Paul explains that to be strong in faith, you have to grow a good root system. This takes effort and the right growing conditions. Getting to know God by reading the Bible, listening to teaching from Scripture, and being around others who have Christian faith will give you a healthy growth spurt.

I also love how the first Psalm paints a vivid image of a vigorous tree to describe the life of strong faith. https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.1.NIV

Footnote: The cuttings photograph credit goes to my daughter.

A Crooked Mechanic

A crooked mechanic almost duped my neighbor. She took her car in for its annual safety inspection and the car failed due to a burned-out brake light. The mechanic proposed fixing the brake light for three hundred dollars: $100 for the “specialty” bulb and $200 for the labor requiring two technicians. When I mentioned this to my husband, he immediately smelled something fishy. He checked out our neighbor’s brake light and it worked perfectly. They drove back to the auto shop for re-inspection and the light came on so the car passed the safety inspection. The inspector mumbled something about a faulty wire. But this was not about a temperamental wire or bulb. This was a rotten case of taking advantage of an older single woman who was apt to not completely understand her car’s condition but who was very able and likely to pay her bill. Such dishonest business, targeting the vulnerable, repulses our sense of basic decency!

Nothing crooked about this! Just one of the great vehicles we saw at the NRA car show yesterday.

Locally, another criminal story unfolded. A pregnant teacher went missing on the first day of school. She was found dead within a week and her boyfriend of six years was charged with her murder. Only a deep kind of evil draws a man to kill his unborn child and its mother. The young teacher also had floundered in life. She dated her boyfriend for years without a marriage commitment and became pregnant without a husband (remember the 7^th commandment, Exodus 20:14?).

It is easy to view these individuals with an air of disdain and a whiff of superiority. We feel above the corrupt cheater, the heartless killer, and the morally compromised. But the Bible warns us about this misperception: “The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? (Jeremiah 17:9 Amplified Version) Jesus further expanded the scope of sin with these piercing indictments: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. But I say, if you are even angry with someone you are subject to judgment! You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5: 21, 22 and 27)

Let misconduct and the cruelty of this world provoke you, but at the same time, be mindful of your own secret tendency to stray.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

What is your favorite children’s book? It might be a story from your childhood or a book you’ve enjoyed reading to children, yours or someone else’s.

Children’s literature is a wonderful genre. I remember a few books from my childhood but a college course that we called “kiddie lit” introduced me to a world of great stories and talented authors. Ever since, I have been reading children’s books to my own kids and to students. At school, reading a text to students is referred to as a “read aloud” and all students, no matter their age, seem to love it. I continue to expand my familiarity with children’s literature. I observe what students are reading and browse the library. I try to read several children’s novels each year. Usually the stories are an easy, pleasurable read yet important and deep themes emerge. Children’s literature reflects current thought and trends.

As I meet my new students at the beginning of the year, I like to share the book Whoever You Are by Mem Fox with them. In simple picture book form, Mem Fox portrays how children from all parts of the world are different in looks, language and culture. The story climaxes with the human similarities of all children: smiles, tears, and love. The ending depicts the children as grown-ups, getting along and working together. The quirky illustrations emphasize the message candidly.

In America, we experience a lot of harmony within our diversity. A rainbow of children go to school together every day and are successful in learning and making community. Neighbors across America, with various languages and different faiths, dwell in peace. Workers of multiple nationalities and differing political views get the job done and enjoy each other’s company while doing it. Recently the media has accentuated a few difficult racial and political uprisings. Commentators clash over who hates who more. I believe the news has actually incited hostility by continually replaying the same emotional footage. Yes, there are wounds to heal but the American people generously live out our motto “E Pluribus Unum.”

America’s foundational principles of unity and equality are Biblical. God commanded the citizens of Israel to provide for those outside of their nationality (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus’ ministry often reached out to folks on the fringe of society; the Samaritan woman, for example (John 4:1-42). And the first church was known for its unique ethnic and economic diversity (Galatians 3:28).

If you haven’t read a children’s book lately, head to the bookstore or

library and treat yourself. For an extra bonus, share it with a child. Look out for fall book celebrations too. My area has two good ones: Fall for the Book put on by Fairfax and George Mason University and The National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress. These conferences always include children’s features.

The Solar Eclipse: Brought to You by the Creator God Almighty

¹The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. ²Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. ³They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. ⁴Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19: 1 – 4 (New Living Translation)

Today’s solar eclipse captivates millions of us. I don’t know if you got the protective eyewear or will even get a break outside as it occurs, but this celestial phenomenon made big news!

That’s exactly what Psalm 19, as quoted above, states. The sky speaks to us and it clearly speaks of God. Truly all of nature points to its Creator. The beauty of mountains, flowers, snow, and the big cats as well as the power of oceans, wind, volcanoes, and earthquakes remind us of the Divine. These tell of God without words and through a common language.

But the heavens are a unique impression of God. The sky is something that can always be seen and it can always be seen by everyone. That is not true of the ocean or snow or wild cats. The firmament also has a way of suggesting eternity. Where does the dawn come from and how far do the stars go and why is the sky so vast? We think these thoughts as we gaze heavenward.

So as you join in the eclipse excitement today, consider that God is sending sky watchers His message.

Farmers Markets

Beautiful morning at the farmers market.

Farmers markets are one of my summertime delights. I love to head out on Saturday morning to shop for produce at our nearby farmers market. It’s located in the historic downtown on a lot amid the justice buildings. The vendors are regulars and I try to divvy up my purchases among them. Usually I buy a week’s worth of peaches or other fruits in season, and fresh veggies, always including corn on the cob for a meal. A few crafters, a honey man, an organic meat vendor and a baker also sell their wares but I generally stick to buying the fresh local produce. I wince at the prices but remind myself that I like to support hard-working people.

When my kids were young, I followed a different routine. We went to the Tuesday farmers market, also in the downtown area. We enjoyed mingling with the families and retired folks. We often ran into friends. I let the kids help pick and carry our purchases. At one point, a local church served free lemonade; a treat we looked forward to. The morning usually included another activity such a library visit or a stop at the adjacent playground. I really miss those summers with the kids at home!

Actually, I have a history with farmers markets. My earliest market memory is with my grandmother when I was a little girl. She took me to a downtown market on a bus because she did not drive. The city’s open air market filled a permanent concrete structure. I don’t recall her purchases but afterward she baked many kinds of delicious fruit pies! Bowls of berries were plentiful in her kitchen too.

I have visited farmers markets in quite a few cities. Since vacations tend to occur in summer, farmers markets make a pleasant outing. I have joined family at farmers markets in Hamilton, Ontario; Holland, Michigan; Brooklyn, New York; and in Lynchburg and Blacksburg, Virginia. I took students on a fieldtrip that included a huge historic market in Baltimore and friends took me to a similar market in Philadelphia. Each market reflects its unique region yet they share common set-ups and the same kinds of goods.

Produce stands and markets aren’t about deals and convenience. Open air markets provide fresher produce from small-time, local growers. Grocery stores have their place but buying direct is personal, nutritious and much tastier! I feel very blessed to have the extra means to shop in markets and enjoy better food. I don’t take for granted that we are not in a severe drought or devastated by a blight or infestation. These things have happened before. Instead, the crop fields and orchards are abundant with God’s goodness which He generously provides for me (Psalm 104:14-15). If you also recognize ‘from whence’ the bounty on your table comes, you might practice that graceful habit of giving thanks at meals, just as Jesus did (John 6:11).

POSTSCRIPT – My dad visited last week and he edited my draft. He gave me several basic, but very helpful writing tips: the advantage of being a writer’s daughter! I noticed that he inserted a possessive apostrophe after the word “farmers” which I also felt was correct. But in searching out the usage of “farmers market” the apostrophe now seems to be omitted.

Summer: A Season for Everything

Two summers ago, I witnessed a wide array of life experiences in my neighborhood. Within about a week, there was destruction and expansion, loss and celebration, among the two dozen or so homes on our street.

It began with an eviction of catastrophic proportions at the first home on the block. The entire contents of the house were thrown out onto the driveway and street. Furniture and personal belongings were broken and irretrievable on the pile. Eventually, a bulldozer loaded the ruins into a county garbage truck. I never knew if it was a rental gone bad or a disputed foreclosure.

But then a neighbor around the corner held an open house for their remodeled home. They did a beautiful job of updating the home’s exterior and adding new living areas that probably better suit the needs of their young family. Many cars lined the street throughout the afternoon and it was obvious that it was a happy housewarming.

About this same time we got word that a retired couple at the end of our road lost their three year old granddaughter; a case of sudden infant death syndrome. Although we usually chatted with them in passing, we made an intentional visit to their home. As we sat on their deck, they softly shared memories of a little girl they loved but who had lived far away from them on the west coast. They showed us her picture and thanked us for the card we sent, designed by a special artist.

Life goes on and two houses down from us, a family threw a barbeque and jamboree for a 50^th birthday! We were forewarned that it would be loud but I won’t complain about kids, friends and family gathered outside to run, laugh, eat and sing in commemoration of five decades! I was delighted to watch the lawn lanterns glow and listen to the country music on a warm summer’s night.

Life is happening all around us all of the time. Sometimes we have the opportunity or obligation to join in and other times we just observe. I have written previously about “rejoicing with those who rejoice; mourning with those who mourn” Romans 12:15 (March 31, 2017). The Bible also reminds us that people, our neighbors, experience many life seasons: “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born, a time to die . . . a time to tear down and a time to build” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2 and 3). Wise King Solomon wrote more on God’s perspective on work, priorities, life and eternity in that passage. Take a look because it is always worth reading the words of the Author of Life.

The puppy next door loves learning her “sit” command!

And who can resist the cuteness and energy of a new puppy? That summer two years ago, the next door neighbors got a new puppy. He has grown up into strong, good-hearted woofer. This summer, he has a new ‘sister’: another adorable black lab puppy, so full of life!

Knowing Egyptians

For most of my adult life, I had little familiarity with Egyptian culture and people. In recent years, however, my ESL teaching has introduced some wonderful Egyptian children into my life. The first student who comes to mind was a 6^th grader named Monique*. It was her first year in the US but she already had a passable understanding of English. In spite of culture shock and the challenges of her preteen class, she pushed through every day, excelling in all her subjects, including the 6^th grade American history curriculum! She maintained a sweet and innocent spirit. At the end of the year, her teachers selected her for the academic achievement award in her grade, out of nearly 100 students!

Solomon with his homemade kite. I had to cover his face for confidentiality reasons.

Another Egyptian family had several children in the school. One of them had significant disabilities yet he was the delight of the staff. He was usually grinning, and drooling, from ear to ear, in spite of his physical handicaps and his inability to speak. I wondered how his family managed his care with limited resources and their language barrier.

Pictured above is Solomon*. He was a very energetic primary student. He was so excited about life and learning and people that he could never stay in his place or remain quiet. Although that effervescent spirit was a challenge in the classroom, his enthusiasm endeared him to me. He made great progress as a language learner and accomplished near grade-level reading by the end of the year. Once, his reading group had a book about making a kite. For a follow-up, I copied the directions and gave the students the kite materials. To my joy and amazement, a few days later Solomon showed me his completed kite, so I took his picture! Kids actually doing something like this on their own is quite rare.

Solomon belonged to a special group of Egyptians called Copts. This term is short for Coptic Christian and they are among the oldest Christian sects in the world. Egyptian Orthodox believers, including Solomon, can often be identified by a small cross tattoo near the wrist.

Today’s Coptic Christians in Egypt are being violently singled out. Since the Arab Spring in 2011, there have been numerous assaults on them. Twenty-one Egyptian Christian young men were executed on a Libyan beach by ISIS in 2015. This April, suicide bombers attacked two Egyptian church services on Palm Sunday, killing 40 attendees. In May, buses headed to a monastery were ambushed by terrorists resulting in 28 more deaths.

Terrorism is not isolated anymore. This spring, England was horrified by a bombing at a concert that took the lives of nearly two dozen, mostly young teens. Since 2001, the US has experienced terrorism at the Boston Marathon, and many shooting sprees including San Bernadino, Fort Hood, and Orlando. All of these are horrific but the Egyptian attacks are particularly appalling in that the Coptic Christians are targeted.

The Bible warns of persecution. The Apostle Paul was beaten and jailed repeatedly throughout his ministry, and eventually he was martyred near Rome. But of his travail he said, “I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) The persecution of Christ-followers has continued through the centuries. God loves His own but in His sovereignty, mistreatment and murder happen. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus warned, “In this world you will have trouble.” Then he added this encouragement, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) My Christian sisters and brothers in Egypt need our prayers.

*Names of the students have been changed.