From the house and lineage of Brubacher

If I take just a moment to think about my extended family, specifically my mom’s side – The Brubacher Clan – I’m overwhelmed with memories- memories that are full of emotions, sounds, tastes and experiences. As I type this I’m literally thinking, “I have no idea where to start or how to convey what I want to say…” but here goes…

The Brubacher family -Reuben and Annie’s family began in 1943 when they were married at a very young age, and their heritage was the Mennonite tradition. Eventually Brethren, and then Baptist – my grandparents raised their family with their faith and God at the very center of life. Later as an adult my Grandpa went to seminary, became a Baptist Pastor and was a shepherd to many congregations in Ontario, Canada over the years.

Both Reuben and Annie have gone on to Heaven now. What they left behind is remarkable. I saw it today when I got my own statement from their estate. I read it like a genealogy from the Gospel of Matthew… “Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers…”

Ours went like this: “The residual beneficiaries of the estate are…. Marvin Ray Brubacher, Donald Lee Brubacher, Rose Young, Sharon Harris, Nancy Switzer, David Brubacher, Ernest Jeffrey Brubacher, Heather Joy Weber, Andrew James Brubacher, Marilyn Young Bosley, Melody Young Day, Daniel Lee Brubacher, David Mark Brubacher, Jonathan Scott Brubacher, Lee Julian Brubacher, Donald James Brubacher, Paul Reuben Harris, Stefanie Anne Ritchie, Mark David Switzer, Kristi Sharon Waun, Angela Jean Pierik, Jenna Elizabeth Ibrahim, Michael David Brubacher and Kara Anne DeKat.

I look at these names and I can’t help but see a lot of people- my aunts, uncles, and cousins whom I love dearly. And then I see in my mind’s eye those people’s spouses and children too. But I can also see all of us as Grandma and Grandpa’s offspring – all of us following Jesus in different ways just like they did. Many giving their lives in His service just like Reuben and Annie did.

Okay – so, here’s the cool thing! Even if these weren’t my people – even if I didn’t get to be a part of the great big, crazy, fun, loud Brubacher family, I have something better! I know it seems impossible that there might be something better. But the truth is: I’ve been adopted into God’s family. Isn’t that amazing?

Right now at my church we are singing a Community Scripture Song together from Galatians 4:4-7. At face value it is fun to sing but, at its core the message is life-changing!

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

I write these words with a heart of thanksgiving – for my earthly family – and for my Heavenly Father who sent his Son so that I could be adopted into His family. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift! AMEN.

friends and loved ones · music, my true love

Mary

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In early May of 2023, I was scrolling through Facebook, which I really don’t do that often. But on that day, I happened to see a post on a local homeschooling resource page. The person posting was looking for a piano teacher to help with hymn playing. She wanted to play hymns for church, but make them interesting, not just play what was on the page. And I responded saying I could definitely help her.

That student was Mary.

Just a bit more than a year ago we started lessons. Unfortunately, my house sits at the top of a steep driveway. And there are a lot of steps to get into my house and a lot of steps inside my house. My studio situation was daunting for Mary because of knee trouble. So, we worked it out to have lessons at my parents’ house, which sits beside a flat, circular driveway and has only two stairs to the front door.

Did I mention Mary is in her 70’s?

I’d never taught an adult student before, but I’ve taught hymn playing. In fact, I’ve been playing hymns for Sunday School or church services since I was 10. It seemed like a natural fit to take her as a student. I was confident I knew how to help her. But I didn’t know how much her lessons would help me.

Did I mention Mary hadn’t taken piano lessons since middle school?

We began our first lesson, and there were challenges. But Mary was ready and she had resolve. She also had a deadline. Her husband was the pastor of a church and their pianist was not able to play any more. Mary needed to learn, and there was no time to waste. She worked hard and week after week she improved.

Mary would pick the hymns for Sunday and we would work on learning them. I wasn’t prepared for how wonderful it would be teaching her to play all the old hymns I had learned so long ago. “At Calvary,” “Saved By The Blood,” “It is Well” – just to name a few… We’ve done so many, I can’t even begin to remember them all. But, they all were so familiar I found myself singing along as she played.

“Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved! My sins are all pardoned my guilt is all gone! Glory I’m saved! Glory I’m saved! I’m saved by the blood of the crucified One!”

These days, most Monday mornings, we start by chatting a bit about the week. Then Mary plays her most recent hymn selections and we have church, sitting right there at my mom’s piano. It’s not that I am an amazing piano teacher or that Mary plays every note perfectly. But singing and playing together these hymns filled with truth is the most beautiful music to my ears! Just thinking about it swells my heart almost to the point of bursting!

I often think, in spite of reality, that I’m in charge of my circumstances, that I’m the one controlling my next steps. But when I think of this small thing, that I never knew I needed – and certainly could not have planned for myself- I’m reminded that it is God himself who orders my steps. He’s the one who knows exactly what I need and puts the plan into motion.

Did I mention Mary’s really a teacher, too?

Mary’s perseverance, dedication to piano, and her love for the Lord are all a testimony to me ; He’s using her in so many ways for His glory! Even though Mary pays me for piano lessons, I think she’s been just as much my teacher. And I’m grateful to God for all of the lessons.

a bit of history · Uncategorized · who knows?

joy in the morning

April 22, 2024 melodyanndayLeave a comment

from Psalm 30:

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

When I was a young I used to think David, the author of many of the Psalms, was so dramatic and melancholy. Having heard often in Sunday school that David was a “man after God’s own heart” I had a hard time believing his life could be all that bad. He was a king after all…

But then I stepped into the darkness of my own night, and I realized I had misunderstood. When a difficult situation stretches on and on into the darkness with no relief in sight, it can be almost impossible to keep going. The longer I live I realize that none of us are immune to the darkness – no matter how strong a believer, or how faithful you might be – its possible you’re either just coming out of the darkness, or you’re about to walk through it.

Recently, when I was in a place of deep sadness, I remember asking Michael if it would always be this way. We had left our church of 15+ years, and had not found a new place to worship. That meant we were not playing our instruments or using our gifts which has always been life-giving for us. Visiting different churches just felt empty. Was there not a place for us? Would we ever find a community where our hearts would connect? I shed a lot of tears and tried to believe the words of Psalm 30 might be true

fast forward ….

This past Friday I had a meeting at Mission Red Bank, where our family worships regularly now and I’m on staff as the Creative Director. The meeting was at 7am. Friends, in spite of the fact that I am in no way, shape or form a morning person – I loved going to that meeting. Walking into that space, meeting with colleagues and friends to plan and imagine and think – it was warm and hopeful.

Driving home afterwards, I realized the later part of Psalm 30 had proven true. What I’d been praying for was actually happening: The night has turned to morning! And my heart is so very glad!

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Thank you, Heavenly Father for your goodness to me and my family. Thank you for these mornings of joy. amen.

= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +

Blessings all mine, with 10,000 besides…. You may not believe it, but our church meets in a space that is adjacent to the lovely “Meeting House” coffee shop, where they make all kinds of delicious concoctions, like this beautiful Blueberry Iced Tea. It is the most wonderful, glorious, summertime beverage you could ever partake of – and if you live near Red Bank, TN you should stop in for one. You’ll thank me.