Easter Baskets

Mar30

Easter was an exciting time at our house when our children were small. During the weeks leading up to it, we read stories, painted eggs, did Easter crafts, watched for signs of spring, and focused on the true meaning of Easter: the death and resurrection of Jesus. I picked out dresses, spring coats, purses and gloves, and polished little white shoes for the girls. My son’s clothes were less fancy but still nice. And then there were the treats. We always gave our children their Easter baskets after church. This was practical. My husband pastored two or three-point pastoral charges, and couldn’t always be home before the services on Easter day. It also spared me from having to take sugar-high children to church. None of them ever complained about this arrangement. They knew our tradition and were confident that the baskets would be waiting for them when we returned home.

Predictable patterns can bring grounding and security to people’s lives. They teach us what is expected in a variety of situations. In difficult times, they also bring hope. No matter how dreary the winter, we know spring will return.

But life is not always predictable. The birth of Jesus ushered in an era that was so huge and unprecedented that even his closest followers could not fully comprehend it. Angels announced Christ’s birth. Miracles accompanied his teachings. The Old Testament contained prophecies about the coming Messiah that the religious leaders would have been familiar with; but, with very few exceptions, they either could not or would not recognize Jesus for who he was.

Jesus chose twelve disciples to share his life and ministry. Did they understand who he was? Peter declared: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NIV). The disciples knew, at least in part, that Jesus was the Son of God but one betrayed him and one denied him. They failed to see the enormous scope and bigness of what they had witnessed. It was difficult for them to grasp that Jesus had not come for an earthly kingdom, or to displace the Romans, but to bring a brand new covenant into existence.

Mark 9: 30 to 32 tells us that Jesus explained to the disciples: “‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’ But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it” (NIV).

We can hardly blame the disciples.

Yes, they knew the Old Testament prophecies. Jesus witnessed to their hearts that he was not an ordinary man. But, the disciples were living out the final days of Jesus with him. We have history to look back on. We have the Gospels to tell us how the narrative unfolded. The disciples did not. Even when Jesus appeared to several followers, after his resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, they didn’t understand what had happened, until Jesus taught them from the Scriptures.

But we know that Jesus died, for our sins, and rose again. We know that if we accept him into our hearts and lives, that he will forgive us, and give us his Holy Spirit. We know that our Easter baskets are waiting for us! And they are full of good things!

 

Happy Easter!

 

 

 

 

Pulling Strings for Grandma

May11

Hansel and Gretel dwell in our house, along with a colourful array of companions, just waiting for someone to pull their strings. For years, these fairy tale characters delighted children in libraries and schools throughout the Toronto area, brought to life by the Adams Marionettes. In the 1950s, my mother-in-law, Maureen Adams, took a puppetry course at Queen’s University and was permanently hooked. She began with hand puppets, but as her family grew older, she and her husband, John, formed the Adams Marionettes, consisting of themselves, their four children, and a school friend, Dan. The puppets captivated not only young audiences but the performers themselves, as the marionettes opened the door to a wide array of creative expression.

My mother-in-law loved puppetry because it involved many forms of art: drama, costumes, scene design, music, and story. The performances, enchanting as they were, were only part of the process. First, the Adams chose a folk tale, devised a script, added in sound effects, and taped the finished product. The marionettes were made out of wood, with the heads devised from a plasticine mold. Next, the family sewed the costumes, painted the scenery, and spent a great deal of time in their backyard puppetry workshop, rehearsing the play. It was a family act, complete with Adams Marionette tee shirts and a special van to transport the stage, performers, and puppets.

My husband’s specialty was Rumpelstiltskin. As the little trickster danced his way across the stage, to the tune of  Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours,” Andrew danced behind the platform, copying his every move. Finally, when Rumpel realized he had been outsmarted by the miller’s daughter, he disappeared in a puff of smoke (baby powder), the clang of a cymbal, and the flash of a camera, never to be heard from again.

After the adult children went their separate ways, John and Maureen continued to attend many puppetry conferences in Canada and the U.S. and hold workshops in Brampton and Toronto.  Several times, they helped my husband and me with Vacation Bible Schools in the churches we served, assisting with puppet-making and performances. John passed away in 2005. In 2006, Maureen received the “Arts Person of the Year” award for her outstanding contribution to the arts in her Brampton community.

In early 2011, Maureen’s health declined and we flew from Nova Scotia to see her. I gave her a puppet that our daughter, Andrea, had brought home from Mexico. She held the puppet in her worn hands and stroked and stroked the tiny dress it was wearing. She asked my son, Christopher, to put it up on the bulletin board in her room, where she could see it from her bed. The gift brought her comfort, a reminder of all the stories her puppets had told.

About nine months after my mother-in-law’s death, I came home one day to find my youngest daughter, Susanna, rehearsing a marionette dance with two high school friends. A short time later, Hansel and Gretel danced on the stage of Prince Andrew High School, during “The Lonely Goatherd” scene in the school’s production of The Sound of Music. Strings were being pulled for Grandma once again!

Happy Mother’s Day and many joyful memories!

This blog piece has been reposted, with some changes from the original.

Photo used with permission from Torstar Syndicate.

 

Everything Changed

Apr6

How many of you are fans of the spring time change? There is something about losing an hour that is far more difficult than gaining one. This year, I attempted to organize and purge our coat closet the Monday after the clocks went forward. My unfocused brain couldn’t make a decision on what to keep and what to donate. Most of the coats ended up in the “decide later” pile. In the long term, we appreciate the extra hour of sunlight in the evenings, but it can take a few days for our bodies and minds to adust.

At no time is the transition between darkness and light more pronounced than at Easter. Luke describes the death of Jesus this way: “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining….Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last ( 23: 44, 45a, 46; NIV).” When the light of the world hung on the cross, God supernaturally caused the sun not to shine.

Everything changed when Jesus died. The barrier between God and mankind was broken. The human race could now freely approach God and receive forgiveness for sins. No one but God could see this yet. Those who knew and loved Jesus experienced deep grief, the “dark night of the soul (John of the Cross).” But when Jesus burst into life on Easter day, the world knew a brilliance it never had before. God’s grace was available to all. Everyone could have a personal relationship with the Saviour.

One Sunday morning, when I was five, my mom stayed home from church with me, because I was sick. Instead of resting in bed, Mom found me running around my bedroom. When she came in, I was expecting some sort of punishment. Instead, she sat down and asked if I would like to accept Jesus into my heart. I prayed a short prayer with her, asking God to come into my heart and forgive me. It was that simple. At five, I didn’t understand all the theological concepts behind this prayer, but I knew immediately that God lived within me, and I would go to heaven when I died. My faith in God continues to sustain me to this day.

Jesus brings us from the darkness of Good Friday to the light of Resurrection Sunday. Our part is to accept the light he brings. Even in the dark times we all experience, God has plans for the endgame. Darkness is merely the absence of light and God has already defeated the darkness.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Thoughts for 2023

Feb13

I began 2023 with every intention of putting down some thoughts for the new year. As they say, life happened, and with it, not much was accomplished in the way of writing. But the year is still very young, and Valentine’s Day is a good opportunity to reflect on our priorities for the blank pages waiting to be filled.

A friend once said to me that Valentine’s Day is her favourite holiday. Many celebrate friends, family, and romantic partners. We may have our own traditions, such as sending cards, going out for dinner, or giving treats or gifts. When my kids were little, we read special stories and did crafts, such as making Valentine’s people out of paper hearts. Another fun activity was the “hunt for hearts.” I wrote clues on cut-out hearts and the children loved running through the house, following the trail, and eventually finding their bags of treats. This is something we still do with whoever is available!

Whether or not we incorporate special events into Valentine’s Day, there is a message to carry into the year. Jesus says in John 13: 34: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (NIV).” God cares for us with agape love, a completely selfless giving of himself for us.

We are living in a world that is desperate for love. A question we can ask ourselves is how to show kindness and compassion, both on a local and global scale. The answers will be different for each person. As the saying goes, we can’t do everything, but we can do something. Perhaps a way to start is to develop an awareness that each encounter contains possibilities. A word of encouragement, a smile, a helping hand, and a pleasant attitude may touch someone else in ways we will never know. Our days are full of choices, full of seeds to sow into the hearts of others.

Each of us can begin a ripple effect of active love and consideration for others in 2023. Individually and collectively we can all write on the pages of the new year and make a difference.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Bitter Truth by Canadian writer, Janet Sketchley

Apr25

Bobby Hawke and Landon Smith are on a drive to the ocean. Landon has just completed her first day at a new university and is nervous about the challenges ahead. The last thing she needs is for Dylan Tremblay, a local police officer, to pull them over and deliver some disturbing news. This is only the beginning. When a friend of Landon’s is attacked in a public setting during the day, Landon finds herself in a dilemma. Should she become involved or leave the matter in the hands of the police? The race for justice begins in this page-turning novel.

Bitter Truth is the third book in the Green Dory Inn series. While reading the books in sequence provides a fuller understanding of the characters, plus a sense of belonging to an ongoing story, Bitter Truth can stand alone.

Janet places clues and red herrings in such a way that readers have the fun of guessing and then backtracking on their sleuthing conclusions. While the ending is definitely a surprise, there are clues subtly planted in the novel.

A delightful character in the third Green Dory Inn novel is Moxie, a pampered Chihuahua who not only provides comic relief but manages to find himself in less than savoury circumstances.

The novel is set in the beautiful county of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, with the hospital scenes at the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. The characters in the Green Dory Inn series are so vivid that one day when my husband and I were in Bridgewater, I saw a police car, and thought. “Oh, that must be Dylan!” The scenes in the hospital brought back warm memories for me because, in July of 2020, I practically tripped over myself, racing into the lobby and up the elevator, to be present for the birth of our first grandchild.

Mentioning my grandson may seem irrelevant to the novel, but it isn’t completely. This child brought hope during the dark months of the pandemic. Janet tackles tough issues such as unspeakable loss, human trafficking, and the sometimes conflicting principles of forgiveness and justice. She also offers great hope through the powerful, healing love of Jesus, through whom we find new birth and life in the midst of bitter truth.

Janet is an Atlantic Canadian writer from Nova Scotia. She has a number of writing credits, including the Redemption’s Edge series, and several devotional books entitled, A Year of Tenacity: 365 Daily Devotions and Tenacity at Christmas: 31 Daily Devotions for December. Check out her website at janetskethcley.ca for purchasing details and information on her books.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone wanting an exciting mystery, with unforgettable characters, and the ever-present awareness of redemption.  Discussion questions are available for individual or group study.

 

I have received a complimentary copy of the book from the author with no requirement to write a review. My opinions are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Way or God’s Way?

Apr14

Frank Sinatra, in his famous song, “My Way,” expresses how at the end of his life, the most important thing for him to be able to say is that he lived it in the way he personally chose. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with choosing our paths and being true to ourselves, Easter calls us to evaluate this sentiment in a deeper context.

If anyone had a right to do it his way, it was Jesus. As the Son of God, equal to the Father, Jesus could have used his power for his desires. Jesus chose a different way. For three years, he travelled with his disciples from village to village, preaching, encouraging, healing, and offering hope to a broken world.  We think of the deity of Christ but he lived his earthly life in a human body. He became tired, slept in the back of a boat and walked for long distances on dusty roads. He experienced hunger, thirst, rejection, grief, and misunderstanding.

Many thought that Jesus would liberate them from the Romans, but his purpose was not an overthrow of the government. He said, “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21, NASB). His mission was to set people free by bringing them into God’s kingdom.

Jesus knew what bringing people into the kingdom of God would cost him. When he rode on the back of a donkey into Jerusalem, the people cried “Hosanna!” and placed palm branches on the ground. He entered Jerusalem as a king but knew that some who welcomed him would later, influenced by the religious leaders, clamour for his death.

What would have happened if the biblical narrative had ended here? What would have happened if Jesus had decided to do it his way, to exercise his rights and freedoms as the Son of God and turn away from the cross? When a follower of Jesus took out a sword and cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants, Jesus condemned the action and said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than ten legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53, NIV). What would have happened if Jesus had done that?

No cross, no Saviour, no resurrection, no hope, and no importance to the stable birth of the infant Christ.

Jesus chose to do it the Father’s way.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV). Jesus chose the cross out of obedience and trust. He knew there was no other way for people to enter the kingdom of God than for him to pay for the sins of the world on the cross.

There are numerous opportunities in life to do it our way. We all have different interests, desires, passions and dreams. At this time of year, I love seeing colourful spring flowers blooming in my garden and anticipate getting my hands in the soil. What the story of Easter teaches us is that there are times when we may need to set aside what we think of as our rights and consider the individual and collective good of others. John Donne wrote: “No man is an island entire of itself.” Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.

Jesus did it God’s way.

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Grandma Love

Feb18

I reached for the phone, which lay on the floor beside my bed, and heard the welcome voice of my son-in-law.  “Ruthmarie is in active labour now. You can come to the hospital.” In the stillness of the early morning, my husband and I quickly dressed and headed for the van. The late July sky grew lighter, as we made the hour trip to our destination. Andrew and I had raced to the hospital before for the birth of a baby, but this time was different. This time we were about to become grandparents.

When we reached the hospital, I answered the required COVID questions and practically tripped over my own feet, in my haste to reach the maternity wing. A nurse, perhaps observing this frantic behaviour, took me up to my daughter’s room. Shortly after, the cries of a newborn filled the air. My grandson lifted his head, over and over, already anxious to try out his new freedom and strength. About an hour later, the nurse bundled him tightly and placed him in my arms. Even though my husband and I had raised five children of our own, I had the irrational fear that I might drop him. He cried a little and I performed my first duty as a grandma by rocking him gently. I had longed for a grandchild, and here he was, Emerson, a beautiful child held close to my heart.

We discovered that Emerson was on the way in late November of 2019. When our daughter gave us the news, I was overtaken with happiness. Soon March of 2020 arrived. During these first bewildering months of the pandemic, our family looked forward to the new arrival. Ruthmarie told us on a messenger call that the baby was a boy! We sent Ruthmarie maternity clothes and the aunties busily shopped on Amazon for baby supplies. I imagined what he would look like and thought about how he was already deeply loved.

Although I had visions of being required to meet my first grandchild from a six-foot distance, the rules changed in time. We made the trip to the little town on the ocean, where Ruthmarie and Graham lived, as often as possible over the weeks after his birth. Images of joy, new life, warm baby snuggles, ocean waves, light and sand will always play in my mind when I think of the summer of 2020.

Words have now replaced newborn cries. Emerson is an energetic, outgoing and confident toddler. He has the heart of an explorer and is interested in every detail of his world. In between visits, we interact with him on messenger chats. He knows who we are and plays little games with us. Every visit, every chat, reminds me afresh of the wonder of being a grandma.

Valentine’s Day is about the celebration of love. This year, I am celebrating grandma love, the love of a grandma for her grandchild. Emerson captured my heart from the first moment he was placed in my arms.

My blog site is called 5 X Mama. Now, it should be, 5 X Mama and 1 X Grandma!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!

 

 

Book Review, Grandma Loves Her Little Grandbug by Kimberley Payne

Jan13

Book Review, Oma Loves Her Little Grandbug by Kimberley Payne

Kimberley Payne, an award-winning Canadian writer, has written a delightful picture book about the relationship between a grandma and her granddaughter. Sophie and Oma do many fun things together, such as swimming, colouring, and playing games. Oma even lets Sophie chew gum and play on her computer. She calls Sophie her “little grandbug.”

Oma asks Sophie questions to remind her of how much she loves her. My favourite line in the book is: “It’s not what you say, it’s not what you do, it’s just because you are you.”

Every child needs to be loved unconditionally. Oma and Sophie show their love for each other in all the activities they share but ultimately, they love each other just for who they are.

Each page has one or two sentences on it, accompanied by a colourful, detailed and endearing illustration. They are wonderful pictures to explore with a child.

As a first-time grandma, of a 17- month-old grandson, I found this book enchanting. I look forward to reading it to my own “little grandbug” and assuring him that, “It’s not what you say, it’s not what you do, it’s just because you are you.”

This book is available on Amazon.ca.

Thanksgiving

Oct9

This month, I have challenged myself to be diligent in writing in my gratitude journal. Lucy Maud Montgomery, in Anne of Green Gables, writes: ” I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Every month brings its own kind of beauty but October seems to shout it from the rooftops. October is a month for thankfulness.

Outside my window is a tree that is exchanging its green leaves for red and orange. Eventually, the leaves will fall and the starkness of a winter tree will take its place. But not quite yet. For a few more weeks, this glorious burst of colour will be ours to enjoy.

All of us are affected by the darkness of these unprecedented days. We may wonder when and if life will return to something recognizable. October reminds us that it is especially important during uncertain times to see the beauty around us. It is especially important to reach out in gratitude to family and friends. It is especially important to make thanksgiving an action word, to be kind, forgiving and tolerant, to consider ways in which we can share beauty with others.

We all have our unique ways to express gratitude. One of mine is to write down my blessings. I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful to God for the ways in which he cares for us each day. When October passes, the nights are longer, and the leaves fall, there will still be much to enjoy. Good times are ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Your Greatest Life by Marion Grace

Sep17

Nova Scotian writer, Marion Grace, in her debut non-fiction book, Your Greatest Life: Overcoming Depression, Divorce and Critical Illness (WestBow Press, 2021) draws her readers in with an exciting promise: “This book will make you laugh, cry, shout, dance, and maybe scream, but one thing I can tell you is that you will get answers.” Who doesn’t want answers to life’s complexities? Marion focuses on the triad of depression, divorce and critical illness but gives principles that can be applied to a variety of issues. She writes to less-than-perfect Christians who need to know how deeply God loves them, in their everyday lives. Out of an understanding of his love, comes the ability to change.

Depression, divorce and critical illness are often misunderstood and judged in the Christian community. Marion counters stigmas and stereotypes and makes a plea for compassionate support. She uses both storytelling and teaching, weaving stories of her life with biblical principles. Her transitions are seamless, easily moving from one method to another, or a combination of both.

There are many strategies in this book designed to help the reader navigate overwhelming circumstances. Absolutely key is understanding and personalizing the Scriptures. We need to know what God says about us and our situations. We need to find out what our rights and responsibilities are as Christians. We need to recognize the necessity of fighting spiritual battles on a spiritual front. Marion suggests that we keep the weapons of our warfare at our fingertips by creating a journal of Scripture verses. She includes many verses to get a personal collection started. I bought a notebook with tabs in it to write out verses on different topics.

Marion also gives very common-sense advice to help people deal specifically with depression, divorce and critical illness. She urges good health practices such as diet and exercise. The section on divorce courageously looks at subjects such as finances, children, the new spouse, interaction with old spouses, and slaying judgemental comments and attitudes. Again, when we know that God loves us, without reservation, we can obtain healing and grace for ourselves and others.

What I like best about the book is Marion’s ability to be fully present with her readers. She addresses her audience in a conversational style, often employing humour to lighten the heavy subject matter. Marion shares her own limitations without self-condemnation. She is able to be compassionate towards herself and towards her readers. The effect is to give Christians permission to be human. We all struggle. We are not perfect. As we grow to a fuller knowledge of God’s love, we can make the needed changes in our lives and in turn extend kindness and support to others in our community.

As an added bonus, Marion includes study questions for a group or individuals to explore and a glimpse into her next book in the Your Greatest Life series.

Marion fulfills her promise. We may “laugh, cry, shout, dance, and maybe scream” in the process, but we get the answers we are seeking.

 

To order a copy of Your Greatest Life, go to Amazon.ca or check out Marion’s website at  mariongrace.ca