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.

Posted on

The Day I Met Wm. Paul Young

I first became aware of The Shack by the buzz it was creating in my church. The same people who are first to read what’s new, like The Prayer of Jabez a few years earlier, The Purpose Driven Life, Jesus Calling and so forth, were talking about it. Some were telling others to not read it because of the imagery. Call me curious, I waited until it showed up at Costco, then I purchased a copy. I wasn’t too far into it when I realized two things: Some people were not going to like it with a passion, and others, like me, were going to be touched by its understanding of damaged emotions in people who were wounded by  “spiritual” people, or wounded by loss, disappointment with God, and were, consequently, angry with God or resentful.

Like I always do, I researched the author. I read his quotes, his beliefs, his history, his foraging into new territory and leaving the past behind for life-altering, life-giving opportunities. He’d walked the uneven journey, and it wasn’t all pretty. Learning his personal history made the book make all the more sense to me. I knew I would jump at the chance if ever given the opportunity to meet Wm. Paul Young, author of The Shack.

Like my first impression, the reality is that controversy swirls around W. P. Young and his writings. I “got” his message and wished more in the faith community would stop trying to make the book into something it isn’t and accept it as a loving gift to people who will benefit from it. This sensitivity of mine to these very same issues contributed to my intrigue with a writer who wasn’t afraid to put it out there anyways. We part company in some of our conclusions about the spiritual, but we share the same lens about other matters of great importance, like compassion and God’s love.

Unconventional Christians, those who march to their own drummer–and there have been many–fascinate me. Maybe because I are one. I have written a review for Young’s Cross Roads book here and quote from the book here. I wanted to meet him for several reasons.

  • We are the same age (!).
  • He is brave, courageous, willing to write what’s in his heart.
  • He is an overcomer with the scars to prove it.
  • We both love Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • He thinks for himself.
  • He cares about the hurting person.
  • He is a top-notch storyteller.

Those who know me well know that I have some of these same qualities. It is my belief that The Shack is one of those books that God propelled forward because of its message of hope, healing, and love. In the way Young weaved the story, I sensed God using its words to reach down to the wounded person–lost and alone, without hope and understanding–as a touchstone to meet and speak truth in love. It shows how God’s life connects with human life as an antidote to pain and suffering. A person who’s been there, been wounded deeply, is more likely to understand the message he imparts. Through his message, Young exposes the tangled thinking that comes with the pain of what seems, or is, unjust and a person’s bent toward self-justifying and self-focus.

The Jesus Center in Chico, California, invited Wm. Paul Young as its luncheon fundraiser speaker. As a supporter, I was emailed months before the event. I began to pray that I would get to have a few words with W. P. Young at the event and without interruption. What’s the chance of that? He spoke before the meal was served. He made a few jokes and then moved on into the subject of love and shared how The Shack has reached the incarcerated and has ministered to their spiritual needs, and helped them take personal inventory (like we all need to do).. “Papa,” Father God, often comes up. “Does Papa really love me?” he is asked. “Yes, he does love you,” he responds along with a hug — as tears flow — and another heart mends as love is received.

My favorite moment of the talk was when he said the following. He is asked, “If he could go back and do it over again, would he?” “Yes,” he says, “I would. I would undo all the hurt I’ve caused.” It was a statement about himself and the pain he had caused; it was not about others or the pain they had caused him. He said it softly, consideringly, truthfully. I will remember it because of its depth of meaning to me in my spiritual walk.

Afterwards, a line formed of people wanting to have their books signed by him. I hadn’t thought to bring one of my books but thought to myself, it’s now or never. Finally, it was my turn. So I said, “No book!” as I approached him, and he grinned. I shared my appreciation of him, his ministry and message, and then told him I had viewed a discussion between him and Richard Rohr. Briefly we spoke about it, and he told me they did a series together about the Trinity.

Young’s eyes were kind, bright, intelligent, happy, and sincere. I could have talked with him for hours because he appears to speak without pretense. I sensed he would understand some of my journey, which cares more about what God thinks than people’s opinions. Just saying.

I wanted to ask W. P. Young a couple questions about how he came to be his own person, how he came to see God as a loving God, how he found his own voice, but that didn’t happen. I had no opportunity. I am on a similar journey and thought he could shed light on some of it. He is routinely criticized and I, too, was criticized by some for attending this event. I think he accepts it as part of being faithful to his calling. In Wm. Paul Young I see a person who loves God and is willing to take the heat for love of others.

I am glad I got to meet Wm. Paul Young. Maybe at a later date I will get to have that conversation. I know we won’t agree on everything or have a seamless theology, but we will agree on the message of what it is all about, the love of God for all the people of the world, grace, and freedom. I am glad he is sharing hope with a world that has so little of it.

Next Post will be about a new devotional for the whole family written by a first time author.

Posted on

MY PRECIOUS MOTHER

For Mother’s Day

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28  KJV

A Loving Tribute to Evelyn F. Brumbaugh, my mother

Mother’s Day makes me think of my beautiful mother. Mother lives in assisted living now. Dad still lives on the farm. My father and mother’s love has a sweetness the years have nurtured. She brightens when Dad walks into her room, and she is happiest when he is there with her.  For sixty-six years they have been joined in marriage and in name. They and we continue to adjust to their world as it changes.

Mother is a wise mate to a strong husband. Being a farmer’s wife is not the easiest of occupations. Mother was resilient and uncomplaining throughout the lean years and years of hard work. She supported my father through the ups and downs and made the best of every situation; things like bringing Dad an egg, bacon, and toast sandwich while he was tractoring in the early hours, sewing a canvas umbrella for his Caterpillar D-4 tractor when the sun was too bright, mending his jeans and shirts because they were his favorites, and respecting him with her actions. I realize now how difficult this may have been, for times were not always easy.

When Dad planted yet another orchard at age 80, my mother wasn’t so sure about it but she didn’t stop him. Planning and growing a new orchard has always been one of the things my father loves best. She understands this about him. He’s reciprocated in his own way, attended her orchestra concerts, accepted her penchant for artistic endeavors and buying of material to sew, and his saying thanks for a good meal. Their favorite activity together that they both enjoyed was, and still is, playing cards together, in a foursome, or in a group. Also, homemade ice cream in the summertime was a staple in their home that we all looked forward to enjoying every visit.

I’m the baby.

1960. The family is complete. Juanita, Marilyn, me, baby Lois, and Paul.

Mother is also a loving and strong mother to her children. She demonstrated the depth of her love through her thoughtfulness and strong parenting. Mother did not raise her voice at us, and she never was one for much conversation. She taught by example and by showing us how to do many things. We girls were expected to act responsibly. We sewed, baked, practiced piano, cleaned, and did some artsy crafts over the years.

2015. Mom, Dad, and I canned produce from their prolific tomato garden.

There were always good meals at our home, and lunches, and hot breakfasts, too. She sewed my sisters’ and my clothing from childhood throughout my high school years, and she helped me with my sewing projects until I became adept at sewing my own clothing. All of us helped with the vegetable garden and canning (tomatoes, string beans, corn, peaches, apricots, and pears). Mother encouraged book reading. We went to the county library and were given books as gifts. We were blessed by my mother. Blessed indeed.

1990. Mother, Grandma Weigold, Me holding Forrest, and LaVonne at Greenville Baptist Church for a Mother’s Day Luncheon. Mother played a violin special and Grandma accompanied on the piano.

I think, though, the greatest heritage my mother gave to her family is in the spiritual realm. When we were children, she read bible stories and true life stories to us. We would pray while kneeling at the couch. She led me to faith in the Lord when I was seven on one of those nights. Mother made sure we were honest, kind, obedient, and responsible. She also made sure we were at church for youth services and regular church services. It was the expectation. The youth group came to our home on occasion for singspirations and pool parties. She drove us up to college in Salem, Oregon and went the extra nine yards to make sure we were ready for college

My parents with their great grandchild, Titus, my grandson.

These days I see my mother three or four times a week. She is appreciative of the visits and always tells me to come again. I put my arm around her shoulders and pray with her before I leave. Sometimes I feel a lump in my throat during this moment of closeness. I find that a loving touch means more to her now than it used to. I like to think back to the days when she was energetic and able to do what she enjoyed. One of those things was putting on a big meal for the family. She always enjoyed having us around . . . and feeding us!

I like to make Mother happy. I like reading to her. I like bringing her flowers. I like telling her about things that are happening in the family. I like being with her. I like reading her articles I’ve written (she listens intently to them). She needs me more now than ever before because life has narrowed for her. She needs being loved for who she is. She thrives on tender care. She loves being loved on by her family. I think she gets lonely. I don’t want her to be lonely. I want her to know she is appreciated. It is my turn to give unconditionally and love unconditionally. Mother and I say, “I love you,” to each other a lot more than we used to, and it feels natural to do so.

Mother has a quiet grace about her. Her kindness and care are always with her even though her health has declined and the years are not so promising anymore. Staff who assist her often tell me that my mother is sweet. It makes me glad that she has cultivated this part of her life and it hasn’t left her despite other changes and memory lapses. Mother blesses me with her love.

I think I will read this to her when I visit her on Mother’s Day. That will bless both of us. Be thankful for your mother and any “adopted mothers” in your life. They are easy to spot because they love well and come along side when you need them (and they love your children).

“I love you, my dear Mother.”

1980. Special moment between my mother and me. She made my wedding gown and silk flower bouquet.

NEXT WEEK: My meeting Wm. Paul Young for the first time at the Jesus Center Luncheon 2018