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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
We all know what a knot is but have we ever looked at clusters of situations in our life, those things that we just can't quite figure out how to deal with or what to do? Some of these are huge knots.
This includes those times that might bring us to the brink of wanting to end our life. I have never experienced those blackest knots in my life, thank God, but there are more and more who have used suicide as an option for their knots. I wish ending a life did not become an option in their eyes.
Lately there were several things I was trying to figure out, couldn't push the envelope to get answers any faster and was just all anxious about it all. Of course, I was looking too far into the future. I had called and talked with resource people, which helped, but actually all their answers were assumptions, not facts.
Then I came upon a prayer on my bedside stand with a prayer of petition, but stating I had to trust God that my situation would come to light. So, I had a little chat with God. I don't want this to sound like a grocery store situation that "if I pray, it will all come out alright" but I felt a sense of peace and actually the knots un-did themselves and the final outcome was very acceptable! I slept well the next two nights! All the knots of last week are no longer there this week!
I know personally how hard it is to have that little chat with God (pray) when things are all balled up in a knot. Sometimes I need to be reminded to take time to pray. Of course, I think to myself, "why didn't I think of that myself?"
Plain as the nose on my face, right? Uh, no...we can't see our own nose, so I need others to help me see other options. So, next time you've got a big knot that won't come undone, Who might you have a little chat with who could help you find ways to unravel it? I was amazed!
Of all the things that caught my attention this past week: potholes! I did quite a bit of traveling the past two weeks, a lot of freeways as well as city streets. With over 600 miles looking at all kind of roads, trying to maintain my safety, the potholes surely spoke to me pretty loudly.
One huge, deep pothole nearly swallowed my car up, with a jarring of the car that made me wonder if my tire would blow. There was one car up ahead sitting on the side with tire problems; I wondered if I was about to join it, but actually my tire only lost a little air, not even a flat! Whew!
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Courtesy of Pixabay
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Aside from potholes, to say the least, the past two weeks were very eventful. These events included health issues and car/transportation issues; I couldn't keep this little post short if I went into it all but as an analogy in life, we all have had to negotiate "potholes" with some so deep they might have rendered us nearly stranded, needing to depend on others to help us get through the day and week.
I was very fortunate to have very supportive family and friends who helped me navigate various details I needed to tend to. Yes, it is all called "life" but the most amazing feeling I came back home with was how "loved" I felt the whole time I was gone. Yes, like a huge power greater than me with arms wrapped around me in love.
Have you ever looked at the potholes of your day or week and been able to see those arms of love helping you get through all those times that were enough to shake you to the core? It's amazing to have a type of life jacket of love that holds you up during these times.
I don't think ever to ask, "why is God doing this to me?" I just believe it's the imperfections of this world that bring situations on. Coming through the other side with such a sense of gratitude for God's love through others' actions help me see a bigger picture in it all. Perhaps I needed these potholes to see this grand view!
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
I usually don't give a lot of deeper thought about Valentine's Day but today at Mass the homily inspired me in a different way. Then it occurred to me. Yes, we send cards, wear red and get all mushy with gifts, special meals and other things, which aren't bad but bear with me. What is in our heart?
Think about it. Is it love, warmth, kindness, peace, compassion, etc. etc? Or is it filled with anger, resentments, mistrust, intolerance, etc. etc? Whatever is in the heart, will come out of the heart. We can go through the motions of trying to "do" all the right things but how much different it would be if we lived the right way, that our actions flowed from a positively filled heart-space.
I think of a person who cooks something or brings a package of baked goods to a friend. Often the comment is heard, "these were made with love!" That thoughtfulness and warmth wraps the recipient in a sense that is so special, simply hearing "made with love!"
I remember a Christmas when a friend of mine, more broke...and broken, than a church mouse, hand-made a goofy little stuffed angel and gave one to all her friends with the most love-filled pomp and circumstance I have ever seen. I would never have thought of that! Right! My heart wasn't filled with love like hers. I still have it hanging on my wall...it is so special!
So, maybe Valentine's may take on a different flair this year. Is it about what we "do" for our loved one or the love we show that comes from the depth of our heart? Maybe a very thoughtful letter, a phone call, or kind gesture will make that special person feel very special. Just make sure it's "made with love!" Happy Valentine's Day!
Who is your hero? What are that person's qualities that made him or her your hero? Have you ever thought that you may be a hero to someone? Or, have you ever thought you have made absolutely no dent in the fabric of the world?
When I sit and ponder the very same thing about my own life, I have pondered what good I have done, what good example I have been or if my life has made any ripple at all on any other "shores" of life. Some days it even sounds presumptuous to think this way.
Then I think of those who have gone before me, like my mom, dad and other relatives. My nephew, Mike, wrote a long paper and identified my dad as his hero. Mike had never met his grand father since dad had died before Mike was born. He had only heard what others had shared.
My biggest hero is my aunt Janie who was a religious sister and suffered so terribly with mental and physical dimishments at the end of her life. Sometimes she couldn't even speak.
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
The most memorable thing she "did" was smile and be kind, grateful and gracious to all who took care of her. She knew their name, she called them by name and she never complained. There isn't a person who, when they recall my aunt, doesn't speak so highly of her.
Who is a "hero" in our eyes that we can look up to, to emulate and to have those memories help to model and guide our life? It may be someone we know, a relative or someone far removed.
What simple little thing would make us a hero to someone else? Smile? Never complain? It's not the "doing" in life but the "being" in it. What small quality would each of us like to emulate? I'm going to think of my aunt more often! She is my hero and never even knew it!
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
"What kind of a world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?"
Pope Francis
Taken from Praise Be to You
If spiritual direction has piqued your interest and you would like to make an appointment, please call me at: 920.793.3530. I can accommodate you at either of my two sites in Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI. To subscribe to my posts just scroll all the way to the bottom and follow the directions. For my web, see: MollyLaFond.com
