Author Archives

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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Revolutionize Your Life, The Rest of the Story #3

God helps, heals, and restores. He gives us hope, peace and love. All the icky things lose their power when we see that God is in it with us. God is painting a grand landscape of great beauty. We are only a dot on that canvas. But the painting needs that one dot to be complete.

“God is enough.” There, I said it, the key concept, the defining point that describes my spiritual beliefs and my life. Everything I believe dove-tails back to a central belief that God is enough for every trial, sad event, hopeless moment, frustration, and personal loss.

When you have Christ on the throne of your life, no longer is your Christianity a form or a charade where spiritual life is lived out of duty or from performance-based expectations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory. You have vitality that comes from within.

Christians who minister to the street people often minister with a humble Christ-like attitude–which is something to be desired and something I wish for in my life.

I know for a fact that God meets us where we’re at. He understands the biggies that trip us up, our unhealed hurts, unmet needs, unresolved issues, our anger, disappointments, and unbelief. God asks us to trust Him, to surrender our ‘stuff’ to His care. A response is required if we want God to to help us overcome and move forward through the occurrences in our lives.

This way of life doesn’t just happen by osmosis. No. It can’t. Not possible. God waits for us. He keeps drawing us to Himself as the object of His affection. He begins a work in our hearts. It becomes up to us with an act of the will to turn ourself towards God. At times, a restlessness sets in, a hunger for something more. Other times, it stems from our human neediness and deep-seated pain.

My life as a Christ-follower gained depth when I changed my approach to spiritual matters. My perception altered when I let go of my routines and traditions and let God begin a new work in me. I gave God the reigns of my life. It became His way, not my way.

This choice to put God first was a decision I made in response to neediness. Life had dished out a lot of hurt. I didn’t want to live that way any longer. I wrote my intentions in a journal and gave the list to God. An honest search began that day which continues to this day. That is when I discovered that God is enough to meet the obstacles of every day.

We put it out there. We take a risk. Not much happens in our spiritual journey until there is a reaching out with a ‘want-to’ in our attitudes and ‘wish-for’ in our desires. Seeking of God is initiated in your mind and heart. It takes both. God may allow circumstances or pressure points to draw us toward Himself. God even allows painful situations to grab our attention, but He never forces you to come closer or to follow Him.

God is a good Father, the very best. God is patient and long-suffering. The prodigal son story is an apt illustration depicting the patient, loving-kindness of the Father for His wayward and self-righteous children. We find both personalities in the prodigal’s story. (Both types are often in a family.)

Christ’s death on the cross and God’s perfect will accomplished in the redemption story demonstrate God’s sacrificial love to the world. God’s love for you was worth a Son. His love is great, compelling, and true.

I suggest you surrender whatever God shows you that needs surrendering. You will need His help, but He is up to the task. He is able and willing. Let God lead. Trust Him. Embrace new life in Christ. Let your joy abound as God revolutionizes your life.

I promise you, it won’t be boring.

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My Final Goodbye to My Sister, Posthumously

1976, The Brumbaugh Family. Lois is third from left in the back, I’m in front.

A month ago I came across the words I said at my sister Lois’s memorial service. As I remember her life this year on the month of the anniversary of her passing, I wish to share with you what I said that day.

I still feel this way even after all the intervening years. My family was devastated due to the nature of Lois’s death. Our grief was intense, our shock, immense. I wept while I wrote these words as we traveled to Oregon to say our final goodbye to my sister. My heart lay shattered in a million pieces.

* * *

Verbatim, My Words On that Day.

1993, Memorial Service for Lois Brumbaugh

“I’m Norma, a sister of Lois. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Lois, so I want to share what I feel at this time.

Lois–

You were my friend in the days of dolls and dress-up. Always my little sister and biggest fan. As children, we worked and played together. I was often impressed with how you did things. You always did them well–and with a sincere heart.

I remember the days of piano lessons and singing with my sisters. You had such a beautiful gift with the piano. My love for you was clear. You were always my special little sister.

From my five year vantage point…I felt with you as you went through the experiences of growing up into adulthood. I saw so much in you that was exceptional and good. I’ve been so proud of you and your accomplishments. You achieved, you persevered, you always made friends. You forced yourself beyond intense shyness.

You also struggled. There were some difficult years for our family, when we all dealt with troubling issues. I was aware that you felt these things deeply. It wasn’t easy for you, but you just tried all the harder.

Lois, I want to remember many things about you that I admired. You had real class. You were pretty, kind, witty, smart, compassionate, musical, fun, and great with you nieces and nephews. You were a beautiful person.

Many times you lifted me up with encouraging words and cheery cards. You made me feel that I was important and had something to contribute. How I loved you and still love you.

On this day I just want to say that I wish I could have shared your pain.

I recall our Grandpa Brumbaugh saying that rarely do we hear a sermon about “hope.” It seems to be forgotten. He was right. We need hope. Love and faith are complete when hope is present.

So, Lois– this is my attempt at saying goodbye. My sorrow is great. But I know your presence will be with me and all of us always. We will miss you more than you can know.

I’m looking forward to some bright morning when it is my hope and belief that we will embrace once again in God’s perfect land, and I just can’t wait.

Your loving sister, always,

Norma”

* * *

Then this from the past.

This morning I was reading a manuscript I wrote in 2014 (but never published) from my visits to the Vina Monastery, when I came across a passage regarding the loss of my sister, Lois. It was written in September. At the time, I was remembering and grieving her loss like I always do in September.

At the time of the writing, I was sitting in a tiny chapel and praying. I had just walked past a statue of the Shepherd Boy, David that was erected in memory of a CSUC student who had died from suicide in 1986. The statue was donated by the family in his memory. As always, I felt his family’s pain.

As I was reading this a couple hours ago, tears came to my eyes. I saw Lois again in my mind’s eye. Her graciousness and beauty spoke once again. I hope her life speaks to you.

Gone but not forgotten.

This comes at the end of a lengthy prayer session while contemplating in the silence, as the Spirit whispers to my spirit.

“Your sister, Lois, you always sorrow for her this time of year.”

I do. I miss her. I will always miss her.

“She taught you the meaning of love. She loved well. It hurt her in the end. You can’t have love without me. I was calling her, but she wasn’t listening. She never knew my joy. I wanted her to know my peace and joy. It came too late for her. Lois was a special flower. Vibrant. Beautiful. Lovely. She had a genuine quality about her. She didn’t want to be fake. I used her to touch people. I will still use her through your pen. She will sing again.”

Thank you, dear Jesus. Amen

September, 2014