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| Clothesline Spirituality |
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"Why Clothesline Spirituality?" you may ask. As a mother of a busy household, I've had a close working relationship with my clothesline for over twenty five years. You don't work seven days a week with someone without striking up a rapport. My sturdy, loyal old colleague has supported me through the years as the fabric of my life has been formed and reshaped over the past quarter century. Nothing else has remained so intact as the clothesline. Other household things have cracked, collapsed, broken, or even blown up. The washing machine has packed it in a number of times under the strain, but not that great hunk of steel in the backyard. My old mate has stayed steady and firm, requiring nothing in return – not even a coat of paint. I've discovered the humble clothesline has a most appealing personality. It has endurance beyond measure, standing erect at the dawn of each day, willing and waiting to take on all the burdens of the household. There is a basic honesty about it. You may be able to hide the holes in your socks from the rest of the world, but you sure can't hide them on wash day. It has a way of exposing us for what we are. The clothesline is a marvelous equalizer. A forlorn pair of undies hanging on the line could belong to a prince or a pauper – the clothesline shows no favouritism. The most appealing quality of all, is that the clothesline is non-judgmental. It accepts us all for what we are, regardless of shape, size, sex, social status, race, colour creed or fashion trends. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if we all had the personality of a clothesline! Some people talk to their plants – I talk to my clothesline. It's where I do my best praying. It is my secret moment of reflection each day. As I peg each personality on the line, I ask my God to hold them firmly, protect them from any harm, help them in their daily struggles and bring them safely home. I love my clothesline. It is my sacred space! Everybody needs a sacred space. What's yours? © 2003 Mary Rose McEgan & Emmaus Productions www.liturgyplanning.com has a couple of sections that are of particular interest to families. They have a reflection for parents section and a family ritual section. The above is a sample from the reflection for parents section, used with permission. |
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