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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The Meaning of Lilacs

–2014– from the lilac bushes of which I speak.

I have loved lilacs ever since the first year we lived at that old farmhouse with the lavender lilac blooms. There is an analogy that can be made which relates to their beauty and essence. In some ways our moments in life are much like a lilac bush in full bloom. Star-shaped florets gather together in a burst of lavender bloom. Their fragrant scent is an over-powering sensation that drifts in the air on a slightly warm spring day filling in the space with a rich sweetness. Bees buzz and hover making the most of the petals’ offerings.

A season does not disappear before I clip some fragrant lilac sprays. I search to find my trusty red clippers, head out the door and then I take time to look over the lilac bushes, my eyes searching for the perfect blooms. I settle on ones with no hint at brownish dying florets or tight unopened star-tips. I make my selections and then, snip-snip. Once clipped, I trim off any unwanted stems or leaves. Now the blooms are ready. I arrange the lilacs in a blue-glazed vase. The lilacs are ready for display with their rich scent and delicate beauty.

Lilacs Speak of Life

Lilacs are gentle unassuming flowering bushes, they’re hearty stock. They require minimal care, no fuss or special treatment. In some ways our lives are like one tiny star blossom, one seemingly insignificant floret. We are one of many. The people we meet touch us and we touch them like a hundred florets bunched in a ribbon of glory. All together it is breathtaking at times when they’re in full bloom. Not fancy, just pretty and useful.

Each small lilac petal is like a life, my life, your life. Human interactions have a shared purpose with a loveliness all their own. When a person looks at the whole bush of lilac blooms he or she sees a thing of beauty. Yet, without the root it would be nothing. Without the stem it would be nothing. Without the leaves it would be nothing. It would be nothing without water, sun, or nourishment. All are essential and necessary for life. The lilac will not have capacity for beauty unless certain conditions are met.

How God is Like a Lilac

This is true for us as well. In the human realm, God is the ultimate nourishment for a life of beauty, which produces and radiates fragrant loveliness. The roots absorb the nutrients. And that is the way scientific world is replete with examples. DNA differs, characteristics differ, but life-giving qualities are essential necessities for life to exist.

I see God. He provides the spiritual nourishment we as humans need for living a healthy spiritual life. I also see Him in the sunshine, the energy force that is needed for life to exist. Living beings, plants, animals, and humans, in this created world are creatures of commonalities. Our life may not be much in the grand scheme of things for it is not prestigious or unusually gifted, but like one miniature star petal floret, it is one life that can and may be a blessing.

So on this day reach out and touch someone who would be blessed if you do. We all need encouragement. Your call or visit will be just what they need. Reach up, reach out, and reach in. I’m including myself in this directive. Best to you today, and I mean it…for today and always. Your friend and sister in Christ, Norma

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We Need To Help People & We Need God

Some of us who were raised in a good home tend to view the world as okay, with little problems, or, at least, we used to see the world that way. The world isn’t that simple. You can’t think everyone knows the things you talk about or care about similar things. I’ve been around awhile, and I know that many people do not have a clue as to how the Christian really thinks and/or acts. Universities and high-up places are pretty much set against the way of Christian thought.

I Was Running On Empty

Christians have a variety of thoughts and a variety of ways they get their thoughts across to other people. You can probably tell by my writing that I am fairly traditional in my faith and experiences. But there was a time a few years back when I let my faith and experiences go and put it all up in front of God and said I wanted true truth from Him, not the church’s truth. I wasn’t against the church but I wanted to know what He wanted to show me. Nothing more and nothing less. That’s when my life turned and became truly different.

I looked the same. I went to the same church. I acted mainly the same. I was different, though. I started reading books outside of my protestant beliefs, not outside the faith but outside my firmly held beliefs. I was on a walk of faith. I told God He could show me what He wanted me to read, That was an amazing undertaking. I gobbled up reading. Books came my way via untraditional ways. Anglican writers, Catholic writers, the prior Pope, the deeper books of faith kept coming and I kept reading. I didn’t know where I was going to end up (and I started dating an Anglican who is now a priest). I was worried my family would think I’d left the faith, but I carried on. Frankly, I was somewhat nervous, but I was determined.

He Got My Attention

God was also taking me on a personal journey to discover what really mattered in my faith journey. I wasn’t telling anyone. They might get alarmed, since I didn’t know where I was going to end up. The books began piling up. I wanted to know more than I had been taught. I became amazed. Chesterton spoke clearly. Merton spoke deeply and fluidly. St. John of the Cross made me weep. I read ferociously. I was single by then and was eager to find my way. God took my eagerness and put into me truth in a new way. Most of my understandings changed little, but I came to realize that my beliefs were way to small and rigid.

I’m thankful God opened my eyes to the beauty around me. How do I view people now? Do they seek God for answers? Do they have a hunger for God? Do they love God? Is their walk of faith, in particular, their walk with God, meaningful, special, precious, heart-expanding, and real? People need Jesus. People need the Lord. God reveals himself to people who want to know Him, not just about Him. If you find Jesus in this way, you will be changed. God is your close friend. Until He is your closest friend I don’t believe you know Him as your Enough. He waits for us until we are ready to seek to find Him as our closest, dearest, and most worthy friend.

God Changed Me In A New Way

No one could have told me years ago that God would become as real as He has to me. My path was strewn with clutter, My heart was heavy. I’d tried so hard to be the right type of person but I failed miserably. For many years I tried. A lot of good happened those years. Yet I hadn’t found the key to unlock the door. I remember when it started, my husband had left me and my job was terminated. I sat on the couch and lighted a candle on the table before me. I surrendered it all to the Lord. I gave it all up. Every last bit. And asked Him to teach me whatever He wanted to teach me. I meant it and my tears intermingled with my words. I still suffered. Life was still hard. But I was open more than I had ever been, and God knew it. My journey to health and wholeness started that day and will continue for the rest of my life. I’m so glad. I’m so thankful.