A Thousand Pounds

Many years ago while on an inclusive women's retreat something miraculous happened.  I didn't realize what a thousand pounds felt like until afterward. There must have been about 35 women from all faith backgrounds, and it didn't matter what the backgrounds were.  This time together focused on spiritual matters, not religious.

The days over the weekend spiraled deeper and deeper into self. During one of the sessions I wrote pages and pages of resentments: years of resentments toward people, places, things and institutions. I never imagined what would be asked of us next. "When you are ready, just stand up and say, 'I forgive'." Try it some time; you'll see the challenge!

A miracle afterward...like a thousand pound weight had been lifted from me. R. Scott Hurd's book, "Forgiveness" may describe it better. "When we forgive, we shine the light of Christ's love into a darkened world and we bear witness to the truth that love is stronger than hate."

A thousand pounds!

Now I try to deal with my resentments in a timely manner with forgiveness. It's an inside job that only requires my willingness to do so. Nope, not easy. Life may not have been fair, and I may not have forgotten the deed done, but by forgiving, I can let the issue go, putting it behind me.  Try it, you'll like it! I wonder what our world would look like if everyone practiced forgiveness?  It's also a wonderful way to lose weight!!   


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director with offices in two cities: Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI.  She is taking new clients and can be reached at 920 793-3530. For more information see her website: mollylafond.com   

Three O'Clock in the Mornin'

Baby bear and momma

It was three o'clock in the mornin' and Simon, my friend's dog, began barking furiously at something outside.  I came running to the porch, where Simon's mom was sleeping, to look outside. All we saw was the momma bear at the base of the tree, but she eventually went to the back of the property.  

So, we waited and waited and soon the babies began crying, then hollering for their mom. You could have heard them a country mile away, they were so loud. One by one, they came down and ran for their life to get to their mom...all but one. 

This one didn't know whether to go back up or come down, repeating this behavior several times, until the momma bear came and consoled and prompted him (I'm sure it was a "him"...scaredy cat!). Then mom and baby took off "for the hills"!!

How often do we repeat behaviors not knowing which way to go, hollering and crying for help?  How often do we trust that "momma" or dad is there to help us?  Actually, when mom or dad is NOT there to help us how many of us realize there still is someone to help us...God, Abba, our Higher Power...whoever that divine entity is in our life who can guide, direct and encourage us.  All we must do is cry out for help and we will  be more confident in coming down the tree and running for the hills!!


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director with offices in two locations: Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI.  She can be reached at 920.793.3530. For more information see: mollylafond.com

Snapping Turtles

A friend of mine came to the cabin for several days a few weeks ago. A few days before she had come, I had come across four or five snapping turtles in the process of digging their nests to lay eggs. This was right where we parked to fish from shore, so I showed her the nests.  

Snapping Turtle

There was nothing too obvious if I hadn't known ahead of time. Over time, I continued to check these nests.  Eventually I could tell the eggs had hatched; the details in the sand and gravel had changed.  It was all so subtle but very interesting.


This got me to pondering.  Times when we have issues with others, perhaps with relatives, friends or others that become explosive and we scratch our heads wondering what was going on with that other person,have you ever considered that underneath it all,perhaps many years in the past,something occurred that we simply could not see nor understand. In ourselves and others, our past is a treasure-trove of situations that linger in our beings, like snapping turtles' eggs waiting to be hatched. 

If you've ever dealt with real snapping turtles, which I have, you understand their behavior, strength and bite all too well. However, there is also the delicacy of the meat that makes a wonderful stew. How many times do we ask ourselves, "what's underneath it all?" when dealing with frustrating situations?  Yes, we still need to be careful but a bit more insight helps us understand potential areas of concern but at the same time be able to enjoy "delicacies" of the relationship. 


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director with offices in two locations:  Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI.  She can be reached at 920.793.3530 or for more information see: mollylafond.com

Right Side of the Door

Pepper, Lemon and Chipmunk

Look at this picture.  What do you see?  Yes, my two fur balls, Lemon and Pepper, at the threshold on this side of the porch door staring down a local chipmunk! I thought to myself, "What a sight!"  It was such a fun time observing them patiently but very attentively watching that little chippy.  It was obvious if they had had free reign, if they could have gotten beyond that door, they would have wrecked havoc of some sort! 

Then it struck me; I saw something even more obvious than two cats wanting to tear into a chippy.  I saw the barrier, the plexiglas of the door, which was the "conscience" keeping their behavior in check. What a thought to ponder.

What mechanisms are in our own life that keep us on the "right side of the door"?  Each one of us encounters temptations every single day that we'd like to have "free reign" over.  That could be nearly anything from keeping our mouth shut when we'd like to spout off, immoral behavior...you name it. 

Each one of us has an invisible barrier that helps us stay on the "right side".  How do we keep that barrier strong, protecting us from behaviors that might harm others as well as ourselves.  I can't imagine what might have happened with my four-legged kids if they had gotten out...or the chippy!  Us too--what might the repercussions be if we get on the wrong side? Something to think about!


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director with offices in two locations: Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI.  To make an appointment, call 920.793.3530. For more information see:mollylafond.com

God Bless America!

God Bless America!

With the news and concerns for the safety of our country this week of Independence Day, let us pause and ask God to wrap his arms of protection around all of us. May you have a wonderful week, nice weather, safe travel, good health and a safe July 4th!