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Norma L. Brumbaugh

Inspirational Writer, Author, and Speaker

PO Box 6432, Chico, CA 95927
nlbrumbaugh@gmail.com

Keep a smile in your heart.

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Today is the 4th of July

I love this country

There is something beautiful about this country. It is a varied land with much variety. The west is decidedly different than the east. I spent five weeks in Florida in contrast to the rest of the year in California. Although they have similarities, there are very different features as well. Both states have their pluses even though they are on opposite sides of the country.

The water makes its waves come clear and fast. We love the ocean and its beaches. All my kids and their families got together on the east coast for LaVonne’s birthday this year. It was so incredibly wonderful! We had a spectacular time together. LaVonne’s husband, Shane, rented a raft-type boat. We went out on the bay, viewed the sea life while we navigated around the bay, and just enjoyed the water, weather, and each other. It was a truly delightful day.

My family is blessed

We don’t get to choose our families. So count yourself rich if your family gives more than it gets. My family gave to me more than I could imagine. I’ve come to realize that more with each year I live. We often take away more that we seek to give. I wish I had told my parents more often, that I loved and cherished them. We often fail to see their gifts when they are with us. My siblings, too, are much loved and appreciated. My nieces and nephews and their children, too. Tell them.

Families are the building block that makes a difference in our lives. Some have some problems that cause a myriad of disasters. Yet even then the families we have been given have influenced us. Everyone has the choice of how they will choose to live, grow, and become in this world in which we live. We are given choices. The difficult choices are hard to make and keep but we choose to make them and possibly keep them.

We get to choose how we will live

No, we don’t get to choose what country or family we will live in, at least in the beginning of our lives. But we are given the opportunity to live discreetly wherever we live. You may not live discreetly, and you have that choice, but your life will thrive when you give your thoughts beyond yourself. What do I mean? When we live for others, and give to others, and help others, and think of others, and much, much more. There are many people that our lives touch that benefit from our graces.

Before I end my thoughts, I must say, and I’m going to bring my faith into the conversation, simply because God. He makes the difference. Even when life seems a wreck, it is not entirely true…if you have the faith, you can see it. There are times, possibly, when life is a struggle and you would rather give up. That’s understandable. Life is hard. And maybe we made some poor choices, or we are having a problem with our health or finances. Whatever. But God is enough. He will help you, will keep you, and He is able to do more than we may think or ask. And, of course, the other ones of you, God delights in you. He keeps you, helps you, and carries you along through your journey. Open your heart to Him. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

I will finish with this. Thank God for giving you life. We are fortunate to be living this life, here and now. There is much to be thankful for in this life. Look out your window. A bird flies by. Be thankful for it. Yes, and the food you had to eat. It was good. Be thankful for it. Did you see that ‘someone special’ today? They’re a positive person in your life. I am thankful for you and that is a positively good thing! May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace.

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Abortion Kills Innocent Life, Part 3 of 3

So, what can you do?

The thing is, it doesn’t do any good to get mad at where society has aligned itself. Instead we can make a difference. We can get the word out. We can help educate. We can be proactive as we accept those whom have been hurt by abortion, to help them with their healing. We can pray for the Supreme Court and the decisions they make concerning human life. We can speak when we have an opportunity.

You and I can help support and provide services, counseling, hope, and supplies whenever and wherever we have an opportunity. We can show women that there is an alternative to terminating their pregnancy when they can’t raise the child, by bringing their pregnancy to term and then allowing for an adoption to loving parents.

What about you?

Has abortion impacted you? What do we do about our own feelings when we have lost a child or grandchild to an abortion?  How shall we then live? You get involved.

First off, you must own what happened, and your feelings about it. You acknowledge the loss of life for what it is. Speak the truth about it. You grieve the loss. You give your sad, empty, injured, true feelings to God and let them rest with Him. If it was you that had the abortion, you confess and repent of your sin, and you come clean before God. It helps to talk about this with a trusted friend or an understanding counselor. You decide to help, not ignore.

If it was someone else, you forgive the person who terminated the pregnancy. You nurture a desire to see them whole (abortion causes a hardness, deadening, and hurt in them). You pray life for them. You pray they will seek truth until it challenges, changes, heals, and frees them. You persevere.

What you don’t want to do is pretend that the abortion never happened, and just go on with life like nothing substantial ever occurred. It is best to acknowledge an earthquake after it happens. Pray for wisdom in this. God knows what they need and whether you should address its impact with them. I am confident that God will lead you. At least, pray about it. God will prepare the way.

God has to lead whenever delicate matters are discussed, or it can backfire. I have learned to ask God to open opportunities in ways that are natural and non-confrontational. When you put it in God’s court and trust Him to bring the thing to pass, it has a way of working itself into an unexpected conversation. This can be days, months, or years after the event. Always be gentle. Persevere.

Your job is to wait and pray. Ask Him to guide your words and prepare your heart to speak truth. God knows when the person is ready to talk about their abortion. Ask God to prepare their heart to receive truth. Ask Him to replace your spirit of judgment with a spirit of love that sees their wounds and bondage to the said event. Pray for this.

One other thing, it would be good if you would pray for the abortionists and the nurses that assist them. I listened with interest to Douglas Gresham of Lenten Lands, the stepson of C.S. Lewis, tell of his ministry. He and his wife minister to the mental health of professionals who have left the abortion field. I am thankful for their care for these one’s who suffer. Pray.

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May God send this article to the person who needs it.