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 img_0015overdue 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.

The Heart of the King or the Queen or the President

An Old Testament proverb, as rendered in the classic King James version, goes like this: “The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord; as the rivers of water, He turneth it whithersoever He will.”  At the end of this most combative election season, we can rest in God’s control over events, and now even over our new President-elect.

Furthermore, we must respond to God’s command to pray. We are told in Scripture to pray for “kings and all those in authority” and the ensuing promise is for peaceful and quiet lives. (1 Timothy 2:2) Donald Trump, like every president before him, needs our prayers.

And finally, in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded his followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. (Matthew 5:44)  I am not suggesting that any candidate was an enemy, but America has enemies, within and outside of our land, who abhor our freedom and values and seek to destroy them.  Prayer is our greatest defense.

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Losers or Winners?

It’s Wednesday night again. A group of men meet up weekly to support and encourage each other and find accountability for living out their faith.  A football player turned pastor speaks each week.  He tells Sooner and Gator team stories and pounds home the basics about confidence, family and purity.  Sometimes he hits where it hurts, but the guys love him!

This Wednesday is a winner. One of the guys, Harley, gets a call from his wife just as the group gets started.  The police have showed up at his house.  Harley guesses it concerns one of their sons.  Harley uses public transportation to get around since his driver’s license was revoked, so one of the guys will have to drive him home now for the police search or questioning or whatever.  Sure enough, several cruisers await Harley’s return.

RJ, another of the guys, reports that he was pulled over as he drove in. When the cop checked out his license, it turned up as expired.  RJ is not sure what happened with the expiration date or paperwork but he’s worried about the fees; he’s still looking for a job. The guys assure RJ they will cover any costs he can’t, so that he will be able to drive and secure a good job.

Charles attends most weeks. He was recruited to the group by one of the guys.  They worked at the same company and the co-worker had been especially caring during the summer Charles spent in an alcohol rehab program.  There is new concern though; it seems that Charles is drinking again, even this night.

So what’s going on with these men? Are they all a bunch of losers?  Well, yes and no.  We all have our issues.  Everyone faces stuff.  But these guys are winners in that they know where to be in order to heal and grow.  Their hope is in applying God’s message to their messes.  Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Mark 2:17)  If you’re not seeking out Jesus this Wednesday, it may be that you haven’t noticed your symptoms yet.

NOTE: Names and identifying details were altered but the events actually happened on one evening.

Where Was God When Mark Was Taken?

Today in rural Ontario, a ‘Service of Remembrance’ will be held for a cousin of mine. Though he suffered from Lupus, his death at 64 years old was unexpected.

 I did not know my cousin well.  I saw him over a few childhood summers but never in our adult lives.  I do, however, stay in touch with his elderly father, my uncle.  It is for him that I have sorrow, imagining the pain of losing a son in his old age.  I wrote this verse for my uncle to express the contrast of blessings and grief in life.  Job, an Old Testament figure, asked, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”  (Job 2:10).  Moses, too, observed that life is gladness and affliction (Psalm 90:15-16). The personal references won’t be meaningful to you, but I invite you to consider the juxtaposition of joys and sorrows:

Where was God when Mark was taken?

God was in the same place He was the day Mark was born.

God was in that place when you married beautiful young Evelyn

And when God graciously brought you and Marilyn together.

God was there as you soared through infinite blue skies in the RCAF

And He was in that place the day baby Kenny and his mother survived a rough birth.

God was in that place when brother Jack arrived and then a new sister, Eleanor,

And He was there when you buried Dad, and then Mum, on the hill.

God was there when all legal charges were cleared, when the church befriended Mark,

And when Woody ministered through Mark’s last breaths.

God is with us in all times and all places. He was with Mark.

And God will be there when we joyfully reunite

With all those who believed and are forgiven in Him,

Whether belief began on a mother’s lap or was confessed on that numbered day.

By Brenda Proulx

Based on Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 39:4 and Romans 10:9

Once, Twice, Three Times an Angel

I have been called an angel at least three times in my life.  The first occasion was at a parent-teacher conference.  A classroom teacher and I were talking with the father of one of my English language learners.  The father was soft-spoken and respectful, expressing his deep gratitude for our work with his child.  Then he said, “We have a word for you in the Korean language:  you are like a god or an angel.”  We were stunned with this description but felt truly honored by his tremendous, genuine compliment.

Another time I had introduced myself and offered some help to a woman sitting near me in church.   She appeared to be alone and I wondered if she had any family.  After a brief conversation, I gave her my phone number and email address.  About two weeks later, I received an email from her.  The subject line was:  “my angel.”   The woman had been looking and praying for direction in her life.  My availability in friendship and practical support, and the timing of it, seemed miraculous to her.  There’s much more to that story but that will be another blog post later.

Lastly, a friend gave me a mug with the quote, “Friends are angels following you through life.”  This one is a bit of a stretch, yet I keep that mug at work and those words have often encouraged me and reminded me of my good friend and her amazing life.

Words hold immense power. They can hurt or heal; build up or crush.  Encouraging words don’t come naturally to me but many times I have been blessed by the kind and edifying words of others.  So it is that “Gentle words are a tree of life” and “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the bones.”  (Proverbs 15:4 and Proverbs 16:24)  “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.”                    (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

September 2001

They say “timing is everything”.

Fifteen years ago, a director at my church asked me to mentor a group of younger mothers. I had never led or taught adults before.  I had misgivings and some scheduling conflicts, but I prayerfully agreed to become a group leader.

My group first met in September 2001. Our nation, and particularly the DC area, was reeling from the airplane terrorist attacks.  In that group of 5 or 6 ladies, one was the wife of a pilot, one was a military wife, one was a flight attendant and my hostess’s husband was in the State Department, specializing in the Middle East!  What a group at what a time!

God is faithful. He bonded us together.  Initially, I looked at those cute gals in the prime of their adult lives and felt dowdy and middle-aged.  After a time, I became thankful for what I learned from them and for their friendship.  The director’s confidence and wisdom kept the mentor groups going strong.  She selected great curriculum and fostered wonderful community among the leaders.

My own mothers group flourished for quite a few years. Since then I have received graduation and wedding announcements from some of those families.  Several of them continue to attend my church.  A couples group formed that still meets.  I am aware of no divorces from among them!

When Queen Esther risked her life in the court of the Persian Empire in order to save her Jewish people, her uncle made a famous statement. He said, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)  What opportunity has God put in YOUR PATH for THIS TIME?

Divergent

Divergent. Not the young adult book series and movie but the story of two men. In a weekend, one of them had a party and the other one was featured on a TV crime show. There were similarities.  Both men marched to the beat of a different drum, were unconventional, even awkward.  But the outcomes of their lives couldn’t have been more divergent.

The one man chose a path of helping others, meeting needs, counseling, listening, visiting, praying, often ministering where there was illness or death. And when hundreds from his congregation gathered to celebrate his work and retirement, men and women shared through tears stories of this man’s friendship and caring. His unique and naïve ways were transformed to bless others.

The other man was called a “gentle giant” and a “loner”.   He worked too but working inside of him was a dark, bitter and violent response to his world.  Over his young adult years, he brutally attacked two victims who survived and he took the lives of at least two young college women.  His crimes were eventually found out and he is spending his life in prison.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10) The pastor enjoyed a full life because he surrendered his limitations (and we all have them) to God.  The other man’s life was stolen by evil as he succumbed to the worst of his nature.  We all have to make the choice:  the full life through Jesus or destruction.

Yard Sale: A Long View

There is a truism for garage sales. It’s the jackpot theory.  You browse many yards, finding nothing.  Then you hit a jackpot sale with everything you were looking for in perfect condition and at great prices!

I occasionally went to yard sales when my kids were young. Toys and other children’s deals were plentiful.  One weekend I went to a sale in an older neighborhood that was being razed for new development.  Sure enough, I experienced the jackpot phenomenon.  After many dud sales, I hit upon a bonanza!  I found a treasure of craft supplies, gardening tools, and items for entertaining, all at one house.  A thought struck me as I purchased what the seller was unloading:  she was ending a time of creating and sowing in homemaking that I was presently immersed in.  She might be looking back but I was looking ahead.  I wondered if she was satisfied or regretful.  I saw a future that I could seize or squander.

The Bible talks about choosing endeavors of significance. “Anyone who builds on that foundation (Jesus) may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or stone.  But on the judgment day, fire will review what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”  (1 Corinthians 3: 12-13) That Saturday was many years ago.  I still use the party-sized coffee maker I bought that day and I’m still aiming to do work that is fire retardant.  I pray that this blog has value for eternity.