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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
Here in Wisconsin we turned our clocks back November 5, 2017 and don't turn them ahead until March 11, 2018. With the hand of the clock moving one hour backward a whole lot of darkness descended over the land and our lives. Not only on the clock but this waning light emphasizes other darkness in the world.We can look around us and darkness becomes obvious: local and world hunger, homelessness, international conflicts, to name a few.
Contrast all of this with the Christmas hymn, "silent night...all is bright" as we Christians wait the brightest light, the true light, Jesus, on Christmas. After all, as the saying goes, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."
The reality of light and dark begs the question: "how do each of us bring light into dark situations in our own day and life?" Some folks work to eliminate darkness by volunteering in food banks, or delivering meals on wheels. Some also work in homeless shelters or Vincent de Paul or Habitat For Humanity stores. This love for those in need creates a place for dignity for the less fortunate.
No matter our situation each of us can bring light into others' lives. I remember my aunt, in her nineties, when the most she could do was to smile and express appreciation to nursing staff caring for her. When I asked her about this simplest gesture she gently said, "I just try to be kind to everyone."
So, how do each of us shine like stars, bringing God's light to others we encounter each day? We can be assured that darkness will not overcome the light. And just like clock work, our clocks spring ahead in just a few months with Daylight Savings time once again!!
How we encounter light and darkness in our own lives is just one area of conversation that can be brought into a spiritual direction session. I have openings during the holidays if you would like an appointment. Call: 920.793.3530. To subscribe to my blog, see: MollyLaFond.com
From the Old Farmer's Almanac 2018, "Thanksgiving Day, as we know it today, began in the early 1600s when settlers in both Massachusetts and Virginia came together to give thanks for their survival, for the fertility of their fields, and for their faith."
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
A friend of mine called the other day to simply say that Thanksgiving is about "thanks" and "giving." Breaking the word down into two words certainly makes sense to me.
November 23, 2017 many of us will gather with family and friends and many will go to a church service to give thanks. Consider using this day to express out loud those things you indeed are thankful for. Maybe it is your survival, maybe too the fertility of your fields, and hopefully your faith. And, along with giving thanks, what can and will we give to others, our community and our loved ones.
I am very thankful for all my family and friends. I hope to make some calls to connect with those I have not talked with for a while, just to let them know I'm thinking of them. This is a perfect way to "reach out and touch someone" as the old phone ad of many years ago used to say!
Happy Thanks...giving to all my family and friends!
If you would like to make an appointment with me for spiritual direction, I can be reached at 920.793.3530. Or to subscribe to my blog, see: MollyLaFond.com
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| Courtesy of Wikepedia |
During my trip to Florida for "siblings' week" a twist of fate found us at a very interesting town and college called "Ave Maria" which is south of Ft. Myers. The philosophy, culture, etc., are all quite interesting. The cathedral is quite an architectural beauty.
The five of us "kids" went into the cathedral, admiring the beauty inside. As we left, just about in the car, someone said that it was just about time that the rosary was going to be prayed inside. Amazingly, we all turned right around, went back inside and joined in the rosary. My brother made a comment saying, "someone needs our prayers!" Had we had enough time, we would have stayed for the Divine Mercy Chaplet since it was 3 p.m. but we had other obligations awaiting us back home.
Now, I don't know about you, but in much earlier years, to think five siblings would be so in accord with one another would have been unheard of! In fact, whoever might have encouraged the others to go back to say the rosary might have gotten ostracized for such a comment, making fun of such a thing!
It was amazing to me the changes that each of us have gone through, for the better, that have deepened our spiritual lives. It's amazing what struggles, hardships, losses and challenges do to others that really can bring them to a deeper faith and relationship with God. I believe we each have been kinder to one another, more respectful, more compassionate and loving.
Yes, sometimes it takes losing a couple of siblings, along with illnesses, to knock some sense into us realizing anything can happen to one of the rest of us at any time. This little "detour" to such a beautiful town and church was one of those highlights in my trip, as well as how we all prayed for "someone who needed our prayers!" God knew who it was and we were in the right place at the right time to pray for them! God bless you, whoever it was!
If you would like a spiritual companion in order to share how you were "in the right place at the right time" call me at: 920.793.3530 in order to make an appointment for spiritual direction. If you would like to subscribe to my blog, see: MollyLaFond.com
Bet you're wondering where this title will go? Hope it's interesting! Here goes. Five of us siblings just returned from a week long "Siblings' Week" at my brother's in Florida. Fortunately I sat next to the window on one of the legs of the flight and observed the cloud formation below. Intermittently, there were broken areas in the cloud and could see land below the clouds. All of a sudden, it came to me, "pockets!" Pockets...all sorts of pockets!
The entire week I was aware of many different types of pockets. Driving south in the middle of the week we drove through some torrential rain. I even asked if we should abort our plans for the trip but my brother said usually the bad weather clears up and it actually could be sunny. Well, that's exactly what happened. This was just a "pocket" of rain! Trust and patience in his words worked. No rain ruined our trip!
Originally our trip to Florida was cause for concern especially with hurricane Irma that went through a month ago. As the locals explained how bad it was they referred to "Irmageddon" in their every day challenges. That brought lots of deep pockets, and it continues, of devastation, frustration and upheaval most of us have never encountered. I really can't imagine!
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
As the plane trip continued, when I couldn't see land below me in any breaks of the clouds, way in the distance I saw the beautiful blue sky above. No clouds at all. All I could think of was how life is often like my plane ride. The calm pilot helped us to know there would be turbulence because of high winds but staying buckled in our seats would help. Sometimes I need a plane trip to see the bigger picture and to ponder how important the pilot is.
This flight helped me to realize that even though there are oodles of "pockets" in life, these pockets are not the whole picture. So, when any situation in our life feels like the end of the world, our personal "Irmageddon", or with turbulence, what plane or "tool" or strength or moral fiber do each of us resort to when our trip gets overcast, cloudy, bumpy or challenging? Who is the "pilot" guiding this trip?
So, every time I see a pocket, it becomes much more to me than a cloth addition in my jeans. I now think of all the pockets of life that face us each day and know not to live in the pocket and that there is certainly more to our day than what is presently challenging us. Our own "Irmageddons" will not last forever! Bigger pockets of peace and calm await us if we listen to the Pilot!
Spiritual direction is the perfect arena to share all your "pockets" with a spiritual companion. If you are interested, please call me at 920.793.3530. To subscribe to my posts, scroll all the way to the bottom of this page and follow the directions or see MollyLaFond.com for the web page.
