Turkey Crossing!

On my way home at the edge of town today a sight just tickled my heart!  I was on a county road, traffic was stopped both ways; I craned my head to see what was happening and up ahead there was a family of turkeys (2 adults and LOTS of babies) crossing the road.  It was the cutest thing to see!  No horns honking, no one rushing the little family, just patience! 

Yes, to some this may simply be a bunch of turkeys crossing the road but I smiled because just last night my sister said to me, "Molly, when I see ducks crossing the road I only see ducks crossing the road; you see a story!!"  Well, I certainly saw the "story" in this event. 

Let me share what struck me when I saw this family of turkeys. Not that they should hurry and get across because of the danger of it all...no, the words that came to my heart were, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I thought of times when I have not been patient with others, or when someone was not patient with me, times when another criticizes or makes fun of a person for not quite doing the task the way another thinks it should have been done, for impatience and intolerance of anything! What was happening ahead was a real life picture worth a thousand words! 

So, yes, stopping for these cute little turkeys certainly gave me pause to see a bigger picture in this encounter and yes, hopefully, a good story!  Maybe these times that we are at a pause in our day our Creator can speak to our heart much more poignantly than a direct "sermon on the mount." So, next time a clutch of turkeys, ducks or even cattle crosses our path, what will we see?  A bunch of animals crossing or an inspiring story? Hopefully, this little story has been inspiring and it didn't even take a thousand words!!

Won't you try and put a smile on someone's face and share this little story with them??

I am a spiritual director and would love to hear about your inspiring "stories."  If you would like to make an appointment for spiritual direction, call 920.793.3530. I have offices in Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI. If you would like to follow my posts on my blog see: MollyLaFond.com

Stuff

Recently I had our entire carpet professionally cleaned.  It was quite a task to put all the furniture on sliders, move things and get ready to have it done, then afterward getting the fans and dehumidifier up from the basement to hasten the drying. As the carpet guy was getting all his equipment gathered to leave, he mentioned that I had a lot of "stuff" to move. 

"Stuff"

Yes, I heard it..."a lot of stuff"!  Well, it didn't take long for me to realize and agree with this assessment!  I did a quick survey and in short order had some things gathered in a spare room in order to donate to a good cause.  That process is continuing and I am giving myself permission to take as long as I need, but to keep at it!

That brings me to a more personal level.  What "stuff" must each of us deal with in our spirits, our personal life, our prayer life, etc. etc.?  What character defects are still ruling our life that would be best to get in touch with and ask God's help in lifting them from our behavours?   Sometimes this "stuff" is not obvious until another person points them out to us, maybe even in a casual conversation. Rough times in life, relationship upsets, death of a loved one or pet can be a very painful spot but the silver lining may bring to light unexpected realities that in the end proved to be a good thing.

Sometimes it happens in the process of clearing the "stuff" out, more "stuff" is found. Now I see dusting that has been neglected in spots.  Oh well, I bet I'm not alone?  Anyone else ever discover that it was time to deal with lots of "stuff" in life?  If we don't take time to deal with it, perhaps time will take us!  

If you would like to make an appointment with me to discuss your "stuff" with, call 920.793.3530 or to view my blog see: MollyLaFond.com  You may also contact me through that blog. I am a spiritual director with offices in either Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI.

Compost Pile

Discards in a compost pile

Many years ago while on a retreat, I took a long walk down to the river. As I was walking I came upon a compost pile that was under the branches of a large tree. The walk gave me time to reflect on some upcoming transitions ahead of me.The compost heap caught my attention because out of this mess of kitchen scraps, grass, leaves and other refuse was growing the neatest vines that had some sort of fruit on them. This compost pile has become a metaphor for times in my life when I feel like things are a mess, not knowing what will come of it all. 

Have you ever had times in your life that were messy, not easy to sort out and you didn't know how it would all turn out? We all know them, we probably all have experienced them, some heaps bigger, hotter, messier than others:  divorce, unplanned pregnancies, addictions, traumas, embarrassments...you name it!  I think I probably am in good company!!

That long walk to the river got me to thinking that life is often like that compost pile: messy, lots of different material in the mix, even getting "hot" when things get stirred up. It finally dawned on me!  When a compost heap uses various kitchen scraps, grass, leaves, etc., has enough moisture, then is turned and mixed around, the whole heap breaks down into a wonderful, usable, rich material that nourishes plants, trees, gardens and ground. It's true, to make a compost heap "work" and become usable rich soil, it needs to be turned, aerated and watered. As the compost breaks down it becomes quite warm. 

How many of us have made peace with ourselves for various "compost heaps" of our life we have been in? I think of a friend who is a terrific mother and grandmother and when asked how she got to be that way responded, "I did it completely opposite of how I was raised!"  There are those who had infractions because of drugs/alcohol and spent time in jail or prison and now are examples to others in the 12 Step Programs of AA and NA on how to stay clean and sober.These are just a few examples but each of us could add many more; these are the gifts that can come from the "compost heaps" of our lives. 

When I saw living vines coming out of that compost pile it really gave me strength and hope, looking to the future rather than staying stuck in the past. I don't remember a thing from any of the talks on that retreat but a surprising compost pile has had a life changing effect on my life! Wonder what compost piles of life you have made something of?!

(If any of my posts have inspired you, please consider sharing them with your friends!)

I am a spiritual director and have offices in Two Rivers and Crivitz, WI.  If you would like to make an appointment to talk about your own "compost heaps" of life in spiritual direction with me, call 920.793.3530. To subscribe to my blog see MollyLaFond.com