Scripture – Page 12 – A Writer's Daughter

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.