My friend's sister in law rescues cats and has many in her home, many with special needs. When I visited there this week I looked at one of her "children" and could see in his eyes that he did not feel well. It was such a sad reality that she would soon be losing her 4th one in as many months. As we texted today, her dear one is not eating much and isolating.
We often hear that the eyes are the window to the soul. Think of an opposite view for a moment: there are times when we do not allow ourselves to see an issue, times when we deny the reality of what is happening right in front of us. This can happen when a person is in an active addiction or in an abusive relationship, thinking there is no way out. Yes, eyes are the window to our soul but more than that it begs a question of bigger issues around us that we fail to see, are blind to or don't want to see? There are plenty out there both personal and global: poverty, loneliness, our addictions, our negativity...take your pick. Our glasses may make a reflection but what are we really willing to see with our glasses on?
If you are interested in doing spiritual direction with Molly LaFond, she can be reached at 920. 793.3530 or see: mollylafond.com
Molly is too humble and gracious to explain why that fleeting line from PHC reminded me of her, but the full explanation is that Pastor Liz was seeing the church’s candles reflected in the eyeglasses of her congregants as she delivered her sermon. The good pastor interpreted that as symbolic of their presence together, and in the presence of God. The reference was wrapped in writer Garrison Keillor’s brand of good-natured, folksy humor, of course. But as he typically does, he used the image of a smaller coincidence to speak to a larger truth about the meaning of life — in this instance, the importance of fellowship and unity arising from the diversity and differences among her flock, of people coming together and reflecting a common light that shines gracefully on the congregation … and it was a humble pastor who understood that meaning in a moment of personal insight. That is why it reminded me of Molly: In all of her blogs — today’s touching essay, her remembrances of the Y Bridge earlier in the week, ever since she started writing the blog, really — Molly finds a fleeting moment of insight and shares it with her readers to challenge those of us who are “still trying to find the answers to life’s persistent questions” (thanks again to Garrison). I enjoy reading Molly’s blogs for this reason. I know her well enough to testify that she doesn’t have those answers for anybody — but she has a big and caring heart, an open and inquisitive mind, and a rich and insightful spirituality that point readers in the direction of discovering those answers for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Greg! You are my favorite cousin!!! Have I told you that lately???
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