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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IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

PAY ATTENTION TO THE LITTLE THINGS

RECENT OCCURRENCES OF ‘LITTLE THINGS’

Every little thing no matter how small is a chance to make a difference in the world. The other day I was walking back to my car from the Post Office. I turned the corner toward where my car was parked in the parking lot. Someone was by my car.

There an elderly woman stands facing my car. She is removing dry leaves from around and under the windshield wiper blades. She doesn’t see me as she completes the task. It’s the little things. I speak to her as I approach. She seems embarrassed to be caught in the act. I smile, put her at ease, and we share a laugh together.

A couple of days later I get a text from a friend who reads this blog. Her text says, “I just read your blog for the 2nd time this a.m. I was feeling down yesterday. … Your blog encouraged me today. I can make it. God is with me! I need to trust Him more! He does have a plan for me. So thankful for how He uses you in my life.” It’s the little things. My blog post encouraged her, then she encouraged me back. This year I’ve been tempted to stop writing because of discouragement and then I hear how God still uses what I write.

My daughter walks in the front door. It’s late. I’m in another room. “I’m home,” she calls out in a cheerful voice, her routine greeting. I appreciate it. It’s the little things. It settles something in me to hear her say she’s home. I’m pleased that she chooses to make her voice happy even after putting in a long day of work. I thanked her for that nice touch a couple of weeks ago. She said she does it on purpose so I know it’s her and not someone else. That’s a kindness.

I walk the hall at the retirement home to my dad’s room and knock on his door. I wait a minute. “Come on in, Norma,” He says with a smile upon opening the door. My father is always gracious. It is pleasant to be welcomed with a smile (and sometimes, a hug). I return the smile. It’s the little things. He’s happy to see me, and I’m happy to see him.

“You take my room (has a queen bed), I’ll take the spare room (has a cot with a sleeping bag),” my bachelor son says to me. I’m at his house for a week-long visit. He goes to work at 6:30 a.m. to work a ten hour shift. I try to convince him that I can take the spare room. But he’s not having it. “I can’t do that, Mom. It wouldn’t be right.” It’s the little things. His insistence makes me feel special. He wants me to have a good night’s sleep and to be treated well. That pleases me.

“You can sit here,” Dad’s tablemate says to me, “I’ll be leaving as soon as my food comes.” A staff member brings the food in a stack of boxes. The gentleman stands up, offers me his chair, and encourages Dad and me to have a nice lunch. Residents have assigned seating in the dining room. I am grateful we won’t have to find other seating. I appreciate his kind gesture. It’s the Little things.

Little things come in all shapes and sizes. An offer of a ride to an event, being treated to a meal, an unexpected gift, help with a chore, an offer of assistance with a troubling issue, helping someone at the grocery store. Kindness in action through thoughtful deeds and caring words make the world a little better off.

The weight of living can wear our spirits down. We need the kindnesses to prop our spirits up. Many mood lifters are found in the little things people do for us and we do for them. By the way, people are lonely. Phone calls count. Simple cards, gifts, and the occasional visit say others matter to you. Pay it forward.

We all can be that person. It’s all in how we look at life. We can look for the little things. We ought to be thankful for them. We can make the doing of little things part of our daily good habits. We can find ways to help people by recognizing opportunities when they present themselves. If you ask me, I think being thoughtful in word and deed is part of loving others. Of course, that’s a good thing. Even when it’s taking a leaf off a windshield.

It’s the little things.

LEAVE A COMMENT:  Share your stories. We’d love to hear them.

Photo Credit: Kai Oberhauser, Unsplash

—- IN ADDITION —-

You may enjoy reading my post about the Paradise Camp Fire on its 1 year anniversary. From my Meridian Woman Blog.

Remembering the Paradise Camp Fire

 

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YOU CAN MAKE IT

ABANDONED: ALONE, AFRAID, UNCERTAIN

“This is too hard. I can’t do this.” Ever said those words? I have. You’re at your end. You’ve come to a brick wall. You don’t know where to turn, which way to go, how to move forward. You may be broken, defeated. Desperate. Where is God? Where is He when you need Him, like right now?

God promises to never leave us or forsake us. The promise is golden. Circumstances may defeat us. People may betray us. Conflict may depress us. Yet. The truth is, our world seems unstable when things go haywire. God promises aren’t always in line with our experiences, at least it feels that way. What gives?

REALITY

We know God says He is here for us. We know we can count on Him. We know God is our rock in times of trouble, and He doesn’t abandon us. Yet what we’re going through is hard. We can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s hurt. Confusion. Disappointment. Betrayal.

When you are abandoned, you can feel all alone. Fear, worry, and pain make it difficult to move forward. The isolation one feels is overpowering. We begin to falter. Question. Draw inward. Doubt God’s best for us. Wonder why He allowed this to happen to us.

CHOICE

In the critical moments when doubts assail us, there comes an opportunity in the form of a choice. We either believe God and claim the realty of His promise to never leave or forsake us or we ignore or disbelieve it.  Those who choose to believe God’s promise find strength and help as they open up to receive what He offers.

God says, “I’m here. Let me help you. Give it to me. Trust me with it.” You wonder how to do that. You picture your hand in His. You begin to trust Him with your fears, hurts, doubts, burdens. You even now realize you can give them to Him and trust Him to help you on the long journey.

FOR ME

I was abandoned by my mate more than once. The pain went deep. My babies were hurting. People didn’t know how to help us, though they tried. I needed God so very desperately. Knowing He was there and wouldn’t forsake me gave me great comfort. I clung to Him. He said, “Trust me.” I was now on the right path, and it changed everything.

I learned to trust God with the many difficulties that come when you are left. When my life collapsed I had to make a new path. I sought God every day for the strength I needed. I prayed and read His Word.

God met me where I was at. He heard my cries. He ministered to me in the deep places of the heart. He helped me find work, take care of the kids and get a handle on things. It was harder than I can put into words. God became my ‘enough’ to make it to the other side. I am deeply thankful for God going through it with me. He became my hope and promise.

HE’S GOT YOUR BACK

God does His part. We do our part. You can’t escape that reality. For God to be real in anyone’s life depends on their ability to trust Him. Trust in God grows as you learn to depend on Him with all aspects of your life. He IS always with you. He NEVER leaves you. He is a GOOD Father. Until anyone experiences Him as such they are unable to fully apprehend what He offers.

At the wall? Don’t know what to do? Turn to Father God. Trust Him with it all. Seek Him and begin to find answers and help. He is there for you and always will be. No matter what. You can take that to the bank.