The Ladybug

Tag: Peace

  • Real Life War and Peace, and How to Cope 

    I am writing today from a warm and safe cabin located in rural New England.  My life is safe as I sit here and type these words.  However, I cannot ignore the news of what is going on in the world.  I must admit that I have never felt so ashamed or embarrassed to be an American.  In addition, I have also never had less confidence in any president or leader of this formerly great nation.  Trump has attacked Iran and started a dangerous and risky war.  I do not support this action, and I am terrified about what the consequences will be now and in the long term.  From having friends and family who live in the Middle East, as well as friends in the USA military, I feel the effects of this war as it impacts me personally.  I also fear the ways in which Iran may retaliate in the days and weeks to come.  The world was already a destabilized place, with the war in Ukraine fueled by Putin, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, along with our president attacking our allies and endangering our own neighborhoods with ICE officers.  Now, he has started a war which never needed to be.   

    I feel so helpless.  I am a single human on this earth with little money or resources.  My personal situation has been one of my recent poor health and a crisis that has extended for months now that I cannot discuss further in the blog.  So, what difference can I make as I read the news headlines and listen to the radio?  I see so much suffering, and I wish I could help alleviate the pain.  But what to do?   Well, my brainstorming session on that topic is what I plan to convey in this post. 

    First, Pray.  Go to God.  The ultimate control of my life or anyone else’s is not their own but belongs to our loving creator.  While He allows us free will, He longs for us to turn to Him and build a relationship of trust and honest communication.  If you are mad, yell at God.  If you feel blessed, praise God.  If you feel helpless, as I do, tell Him, and ask for guidance as to how to act and proceed.  My faith in God ensures that I go nowhere in life alone.  I have a higher power who loves me and takes my hand through all the weather.  What is currently happening is a storm, and I already feel my strength being tested.  I’m scared, but I want to be brave.  God can improve our hearts and minds and bodies to have strength and bravery if we ask Him.  I am praying, will you join me? 

    Second, act peacefully.  This may seem like a huge contradiction during a time of war but hear me out.  For example, being peaceful can simply be a gesture of listening to your neighbor when you talk about a difficult topic like politics or war.  Instead of reacting with hostility to differences, try to gain mutual respect and hold space for the other side, even if you still strongly disagree.  I feel that as a progressive Christian, I am called to be open with my opinions on topics such as racial equality and justice, while still understanding that there are some minds that I cannot change.  In addition, I try to love the people in my life who believe in the opposite political sides of the aisle, and when I struggle to do so, I pray to Jesus for help.  And yes, what about Jesus?  When He was crucified, did He fight and tell His disciples to draw their swords?  No, Jesus sets an example of sacrificial peace, knowing that even if the outcome of our right doing is death, that is not the end of the road.  Jesus rose from the grave, and we too look forward to life after death.  In all circumstances, therefore, try to remain peaceful in your actions, following the teachings of Christ. 

    And third, take gentle care of yourself.  Our country and the world are on fire.  War has come in more than one place, and there is great suffering.  To help myself get through the inevitable stress, I am trying to participate in activities that relieve my soul.  Today, for example, I took a nice long walk in the winter sunshine, an elusive sight.  It felt healing to see the beautiful blue sky above me, and to feel the almost-spring warmth on my face.  The snow was melting, and there was mud on the earth.  Even with the terrible goings-on in the world, the seasons were still preparing to change.  In addition, when I was getting myself lunch, I made a homemade matcha green tea latte, a luxury.  I do not know how much longer I will be able to find and buy matcha, my favorite drink along with coffee, and so I savored it, every sip.  I encourage you to find simple joys such as these two examples and comfort your heart with them.  

    I leave you with a single thought; God is Good.  His love endures forever.  He will not let our world suffer forever.  It will be alright in the end, and if it is not alright, then it is not the end!  So, take heart, stay close to God and your loved ones, and take care of yourself.  Difficult days are here, but we are not alone.  Never give up! 

    In Love and Respect, G.  

  • Loving the Stranger

    The Ladybug 32 

    Wednesday, November 12, 2025 

    Hello Readers!  Today I feel inspired to share a sermon I delivered approximately a year and a half ago at my local NH church.  However, this sermon seems particularly relevant to repeat, given that our country is currently struggling with a sinking economy, and many families are having trouble making ends meet.  Homelessness can quickly become a reality for anyone, anytime, and I have faced housing insecurity personally.  I also wanted to share this message because, while this sermon focuses on the homeless population, I believe that the spirit of it could also be applied to immigrants.  The atmosphere in the USA regarding immigrants is at best described as tense, and the way that they are treated by the people in power is downright despicable.  Therefore, I encourage you to imagine both the words “homeless” and “immigrant” in your mind’s eye while you read my words below.  God calls us to love, and you will find practical advice as to ways of loving marginalized groups among us if you continue reading!

    By: Gaelle McLoud 

    Sunday, March 17, 2024 

    Based on:   New Testament: Matthew 22: 34-40  

           Old Testament: Leviticus 19: 33-34 

    Message 

                Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  Amen.   

    I would like to begin by highlighting from the first scripture reading for us this morning, Matthew 22: 34-40, the second commandment that Jesus gives: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  On the surface, this may seem like a simple commandment.  One might think, of course I love those around me, my friends, and my family, including my church family.  However, let us dig a little deeper.  What if your neighbor was smelly and dirty?  What if your neighbor was a drug addict?  What if your neighbor was living a life opposite to yours, a life you could not even imagine?  Would you still be willing to love your neighbor?  Today, I am going to focus on our neighbors who are homeless.   

                You might be wondering why I chose the passage from Leviticus this morning, and be curious as to the relationship to the homeless.  “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.  The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.  Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.  I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19: 33-34. The Leviticus passage refers to our neighbors who are, “aliens,” or, “foreigners.”  One of the Google definitions of foreigner is, “a person not belonging to a particular place or group; a stranger or outsider.”  Certainly, one could think of homeless people as not belonging to a particular place, and many consider them to be strangers and outsiders.  And yet, in Leviticus as well as in Matthew, God commands us to love them.    

                Here is how I began to love my homeless neighbors.  In early 2017, I started attending a new church located in Charlton, Massachusetts.  I prayed to God to direct me towards His will, and I felt a strong calling on my heart to minister to the homeless.  I thought about how I might get involved with mission work, and I remembered that my dad had been connected to a church called the Worcester Fellowship.  The Worcester Fellowship is an outdoor church located in Worcester, Massachusetts that meets every Sunday afternoon, no matter what the weather, to provide a Christian worship service, and brown bag lunches and men’s white crew socks to the homeless population.  Their mission statement is: Worcester Fellowship is dedicated to ending isolation by nurturing community and providing pastoral care. We welcome everyone, we are an outdoor church, we reach out to homeless and at-risk adults and we believe God loves us now.  I attended a Worcester Fellowship Service for the first time in the spring of 2017, and felt transformed and brought alive by the experience.  God’s love and light were palpable at the service.  I spoke to my home church in Charlton, and we signed up to begin donating brown bag lunches and men’s white crew socks to the Worcester Fellowship on every other month throughout the year. The pictures on the power point are of a Worcester Fellowship gathering on the common in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Christmas Eve 2017.   

                Many people think of the homeless population as set apart, and have trouble connecting to them.  However, anyone, anytime can become homeless.  There are many reasons for homelessness, including job loss, PTSD due to military service, or high medical bills that lead to eviction when one cannot pay their rent.  This could be you.  It was almost me.  Let me tell you a true story from my own life.  When I was quite young, 20 years old, I had dropped out of college due to health problems, and I had no money and nowhere to live except with my parents back at their home.  I faced the reality of becoming homeless, though, because I was not sober, and my parents did not want me to live with them when I was an active alcoholic.  I had to decide to try to get sober and attend AA meetings, or else I was on the streets.  I will never forget how close I came to homelessness.   

                In addition to my own experience with housing insecurity, I have learned a lot about homeless persons while volunteering with the Worcester Fellowship.  Here is a question for us to ponder: What can we as Christians do to show God’s love and mercy to the homeless population?  Here are three answers to that question that we can all employ when we interact with those who are homeless or disadvantaged.   

                First, show compassion.  One of the best ways to show God’s compassion to others is to simply listen to them.  Start up a conversation with someone who may be out of your comfort zone and listen to them talk about their life and their experiences.  This action will go a long way towards making the person feel loved.  Consider carrying Dunkin gift cards to offer to those who are begging when you see them. 

                Second, treat the homeless as equals.  Do not be afraid of those who are different from you.  For example, during a Worcester Fellowship service there is a time for the passing of the peace of Christ, as with many church services.  It is important to walk right up to your neighbor and wish them God’s peace and shake their hand.  When you see a homeless person on the street holding up a sign, make eye contact with them and smile and if they ask you for something, offer the Dunkin gift card you have been carrying with you.  God loves all His children equally, and we need to mirror that love. 

                Third, Christians must challenge societal norms that dictate that we must ostracize and exile those who are different and suffering.  Jesus set the example for us with the way he lived his life.  Jesus associated with tax collectors and prostitutes, in other words, sinners and those cast out by society.  Jesus healed and touched lepers, as well as saved and loved all of us, despite our circumstances.  Welcome those who are homeless and disadvantaged to your church, and pray for ways that you can improve their lives for the better.  One way that this church loves the homeless is by collecting money to purchase socks for them, and this gift can go a long way towards brightening someone’s day. 

                Jesus calls us to love each other, let us change the world one act of love at a time.  Amen. 

    Thank you for reading!  I have included the links for The Worcester Fellowship, as well as a local NH homeless advocacy group called Hundred Nights.  Please pray about how you may support them!  Also: The photos are from a Worcester Fellowship gathering in 2017, which is referenced in the sermon.  

    God Bless and Good Health, G. 

    Worcester Fellowship

    hundrednightsinc.org

  • Perfectionism Part 3: Body Image Ideals in America are Harmful 

    Dear readers, I am aware that discussing any aspect of body image can be potentially triggering, especially to those individuals diagnosed with eating disorders.  I, myself, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at age 20, after starting to display symptoms in my late teen years.  Due to my own experiences, I will endeavor to make this article sensitive to those who struggle.  However, I want everyone to honor their own boundaries with the topic.  With that spirit in mind, let us start to talk… 

    One of the most freeing phrases that I ever heard during my eating disorder recovery journey was: your body is not a project.  I have always felt a great deal of pressure my whole life to micro-manage my appearance, especially my weight.  I used to wear heavy make-up, dye my hair, follow all the latest fashions of dress, and starve my body.  In the USA, women who identify as cis-gender females are placed under a huge amount of pressure to groom ourselves into oblivion, even to go so far as to consume diet pills and under-go plastic surgery.  There is an expected, and, frankly, un-achievable, ideal “look” that we must work towards.  Lots of money is poured into this industry of beauty and the pursuit of feminine perfection. 

    Well, now I am saying to it all: F*#ck You!!  My body is not a project.  I look the way I look, and as long as I am healthy, then I am satisfied with my appearance.  In my current world, after being severely ill for 6 and a half months, being healthy and strong in my body image is way more important to me than being glamorous.   

    In addition, I have had a shift over the last few months as to how I identify in my beauty image.  I would now say that I am more of an androgenous female than a typical cis-gendered female.  Some days I am glammed up and girly, while other days I feel comfortable in flannel, jeans, and winter boots.  The identity of androgyny allows for this flexibility, being somewhere in the middle, neither feminine nor masculine.  My studies at university allowed me to gain more exposure to the differing worlds of gender identity, and, after writing a paper on androgyny, I felt so much more connected to my true self. 

    I’m beginning to wonder why I have been spending the last 20 or so years trying to be thin and cute.  Why have I cared what society thought of me?  The dream of being the perfect model from the pages of a women’s magazine or following the latest wellness trend has not been making me healthier or more beautiful, it has been killing me.  As one of my friends said to me recently regarding the weight-loss drug craze, “It seems to be a sickness in our society that is unique to America.”  I am grateful for her honest assessment, and I could not agree more.  American wellness culture, and the corresponding products and medications that feed the system with millions of dollars, just harm the very humans they claim to be aiding. 

    So, I am choosing to be free from the trap of twisting myself up-side down to meet the societal beauty standards.  I encourage you to free yourself as well!  Wherever you are on the body-image road, whether you are struggling with disordered eating, or you are struggling with the pursuit of the wellness community, coined often as orthorexia, I invite you to take a moment to pause.  Think about what your goals are with your appearance and resulting health.  Are you simply chasing an impossible beauty standard?  Or are you investing heavily in a financial way to bring about a drastic figure change?  The only investment that I now believe is honestly worth it, and will bring about the most joy, is the time and energy to be healthy, happy, and authentically YOU!!  There is no reason to conform to any other standard or request from an industry that will not pay you back.   

    These revelations have taken me years to reach!  From wandering hospital hallways with a feeding tube up my nose to over-exercising, to starving and to binging, I have finally arrived at a moment of peace.  Just be where your body desires and forget what America might think.  You will be surprised how much mental room will be created in your head when you let go, and how much room in your wallet you will discover.  Bodies are meant to be all different shapes and sizes.  Food is meant to be joyful and shared, bringing friends and family together.  Exercise is meant to destress and strengthen, without pushing too far.  Try out a few of my radical ideas and see how much tension in your life will lift.  I hope my years of pain can be turned into something helpful for others.   

    To conclude, I would like to provide you with an example from my own life.  While I have been ill recently, I was told repeatedly by my doctors to be on bedrest.  But I kept pushing to be active and exercise, because I was afraid of gaining too much weight while “lying around being sick.”  Finally, I basically collapsed into my own bed and rested for 2 weeks.  I purposefully lay around, watched Netflix, and ate high-calorie and high-protein foods to strengthen my body which was hard at work fighting a serious infection.  Finally, after 2 weeks in bed, I emerged for a 1-mile walk.  Then, I rested.  Next, a 2-mile walk.  Then, I rested.  Testing the waters slowly to see how much exercise I could build up to.  I continued to eat whatever I wanted, especially if it was high in calories.  None of this was done with losing weight in mind.  Rather, I was hoping to gain weight, and re-grow some of my once thick curly hair and beautiful nails.   

    Take my words to heart, readers, and do not learn the hard way as I have.  Listen to your doctors regarding health and rest.  Do not put the demands of the un-healthy “wellness” industry first.  Get quiet within, listen to what your body needs, and act accordingly.  Beauty is fleeting, but longevity and happiness are true goals to live by.  With that advice, I wish you blessings and peace in your journeys.  Love, G. 

  • Flowering Beauties: A Muse in Dark Times

                  Complete with Photo Exhibit

    Lately, life has been difficult.  I have had to find inspiration in new places.  Surprising places.  Today, I would like to share one of those muses with you.  Nature is a wonderful and mysterious thing, and I am discovering a new appreciation for flowers.  Specifically, the resilience of flowering plants.  The weather in New England, where I live, is ever variable.  However, this spring and summer I have appreciated the beauty of flowers and how they continue to shine even on cloudy or rainy days.  For today’s post on The Ladybug, I have selected 12 of my favorite flower photos that I’ve captured using my cell phone camera.  Gazing upon these images during a particularly difficult day gives me hope for the future.  If winter can be followed by these dazzling splendors, then my dark days must be leading up to new life and good times ahead.  I know that God promises darkness will not last forever.  It is my wish that these images inspire you as well.  Never give up! 

                With Perseverance, G.

                “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

                “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

  • God’s Presence During Hardships

    How does one cope when times are overwhelming?  Recently, I have been feeling stressed for both societal and personal reasons.  The USA is in a difficult spot politically, with a constant stream of bad news.  In my own life, I am facing uncertainties medically, and am in a wait-and-see period.  However, I can honestly say that despite these set-backs, I am feeling grateful and blessed.  You may wonder if I am crazy and how this is possible…well, let me share my secrets.

                My faith in God is the core of my life.  I believe that I am never alone in the struggles I face.  There is a greater force in the universe that guides my path.  As a progressive Christian, this season of lent has been a time to draw closer to God and His promises for my life.  God never promises that life will be easy or pain free.  Instead, He assures us that we never travel this bumpy life alone.  We have a loving companion in Jesus Christ, who comforts our hearts and holds us while we shed tears.  There is a song that was written on the walls of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II by an anonymous author with the words, “I believe in God, even when He is silent.”  The incredible faith of the author amazes me.  During our tough times, God never disappears or walks away from us.  Even when we can not sense Him as strongly, He is right there with His loving arms wrapped around us. 

                You may be asking yourself; how do I connect to God if I can not feel Him?  My first answer is always the same: PRAY!  Prayer is a great communication tool that God has gifted to us.  Your prayer does not have to be perfect, pretty, or even make sense.  Just start talking.  Say what you need.  A simple prayer of HELP is always a good start.  Remember, God already knows what is going on in your life and what your needs are.  He’s waiting to establish a loving dialogue with you.  Another useful way to pray is to have a mantra, a word to repeat until you feel calm, such as “Abba” or “Father” or “Jesus.”  The idea of prayer is to create a bond between you and the spirit of God; therefore, the technicalities and perfections of your words do not matter, only that you try.  God is waiting to hear you!

                Another great way to connect with God and feel God’s peace is to appreciate the beauties of the natural world.  Depending on your circumstances and health, this may look like sitting in your back yard watching the birds, taking a walk in the woods, or even hiking a mountain trail.  I have always found something incredibly soothing about nature and enjoying God’s creation.  Meditation comes easily to me when I am alone with trees and flowers.  The noise of man-made vehicles and busy streets blocks me from relaxation.  However, if I can escape to a small moment of being “one with the universe” through observing nature, I feel I am at home.  Nothing can rattle me as I feel God gently whisper, “If I can care for all of this, how much more do I love you, dear one?”  When you feel like life is just too much to bear, find time to touch your palm to a tree trunk or flower petal, and know how much God loves you.

                Finally, take time to read God’s Word.  We are all very busy in American society, and taking time to read the Bible seems impossible at times.  It may also seem intimidating to read a book like the Bible, with so many stories you may wonder where to start.  I suggest finding a guided devotion that you enjoy to help your journey of the Word.  I use The Upper Room and The Bible App.  (Neither of these are sponsored) They are tools that help me to stay focused during my devotion time.  In addition, I find several of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) books and meditation materials to be helpful in creating a spiritual reading program.  AA guidebooks are great if you are unsure of where to begin with the Bible.  Again, the purpose of studying written Word about God is not about trying to achieve perfection.  Rather, the purpose is to connect you with the loving presence of the Spirit, in hopes that your stress and loneliness melts away.  God is here, waiting for you to reach out!

                To return to the stressors I mentioned at the beginning of this post, both national news and personal medical concerns, I find everything easier to handle and digest when I have armed myself with a close and personal relationship with God.  I will say again, my faith is my rock, and it sees me through the difficulties of life.  I urge you to seek out God through the channels I have mentioned, or through your own creative pathways.  Connecting to a higher power is a chance to find freedom from your stress, and to let go of your burdens for a few hours and rest under God’s wings.  You do not have to face challenges by yourself.  There is a strength greater than human strength, and you can tap into that power for peace at any time, all you need do is ask.

                With Love, G.

  • Unity: Loving the Differences

    I am inspired by Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour senate speech that took place from Monday to Tuesday.  As I tuned in to watch Senator Booker’s impassioned talk, I was struck by his call for unity.  He specifically emphasized that the problems which Americans are facing are, “not right or left, but right or wrong.”  I agree that division in our country is being caused by problems that are a matter of good vs. evil, and are not a matter of Republican vs. Democrat.  In fact, Senator Booker repeatedly spoke about his desire to work in a bipartisan way.  I firmly believe in an America where political leaders can join for the good of the people, the nation, and the Constitution, without letting party loyalty cloud their judgement. 

    The issues I have with the Trump administration are, in fact, issues of morality, and not politics.  Specifically, many of my issues with the current leadership involve my belief that they are acting in a way that expressly goes against the teachings of the Bible.  Jesus in his ministry welcomed the poor, the ostracized, the immigrant, the sick, the widowed, the homeless, the disabled, and the sick.  Donald Trump does not care about anyone in these categories.  All the current president’s policies attack those that the Bible supports.  I call myself a progressive Christian, and as such, I can not support those in power who are attacking all my beliefs.  I must peacefully resist.

    However, this strong opinion of mine raises an interesting dilemma: do I then also not support my friends who are Trump followers?  I indeed have many friends and acquaintances who are much more conservative politically than I am, and I know many voted for Trump in the presidential race in November 2024.  How do I reconcile my moral compass and my values as a progressive Christian with my social circles?  Well, what would Jesus do?  Again, I must turn to the Bible for guidance. 

    A verse from the Bible App caught my eye, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11.  I must love those whom God puts in my life.  Jesus’ gospel is about love.  Jesus constantly shared love with everyone He met.  The quote from 1 John is a reminder of God’s desire for Christians to be a loving presence in a broken and fallen world.  Loving others is not easy, especially when there are differences of opinion.  But I am determined to rise to the challenge of loving those I disagree with, because God is calling me to do so. 

    Coming full-circle to Senator Booker’s speech, I want to emphasize that a spirit of unity, and a commitment to love, does not mean that I condone evil.  The Trump administration is enacting some truly evil policies, and I will let my pen and my vote speak for me.  I will follow my values system and my conscience when I make decisions about my life and my actions.  But I must constantly persevere with an attitude of compassion, empathy, and respect for my fellow Americans, despite which political party they belong to. 

    America is being tested.  Can we respond to the threat on our Constitution and our laws?  Can we protect the most vulnerable populations that live in this great country?  Are we truly the land of the free?  We must answer this crossroads moment in history with a resounding cry of unity and love for all, and a defense of all we hold dear for who we are as a nation.  In contrast, an approach of division and hate will only bring about our downfall.  Please join me in advocating for what is just and fair, whether you are on the right or the left side, let us be together on the American side.

    With Justice, G.

  • Forgiving Societies/National Leaders

    Are you struggling with today’s news? Me too! I have copied below the sermon I wrote for today’s service at a church where I provide pulpit supply. I hope it will help you! The topic is on forgiveness, specifically forgiving societies and national leaders. I feel that this topic is quite relevant to the concerns of today’s world. Unfortunately, I was sick today and did not deliver this message in person, and so a fellow church member did a wonderful job bringing it to life on my behalf. However, I believe that the message of forgiveness is an important one, and I hope you find inspiration from my take on this topic. Thank you. Blessings, G.

    Scripture: New Testament:  Luke 23: 33-34

                                                                Sermon

                                        Forgiving Societies/National Leaders

                Good morning.  Today is the final Sunday in the sermon series on forgiveness.  We will be looking at forgiving a society or national leader who you feel has caused suffering.  This is an extremely difficult type of forgiveness, because we often do not have control over decisions made by government leaders, even though those decisions may affect us negatively.  For this reason, I believe that forgiving societal policies or governing officials is the hardest form of forgiveness, and perhaps is not always possible.  However, we can look to both Jesus and to other devout Christians for examples of how to achieve forgiveness.

                First, I would like to look at the words of Jesus from today’s scripture reading.  As Jesus is being crucified for crimes he did not commit, he speaks the words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  A short but powerful sentence.  Jesus is forgiving the political and religious leaders who nailed him to the cross.  He knows that they are ignorant of the enormity of the evil in their actions.  Jesus’ forgiveness in his moment of suffering and death amazes me.  How can I hope to replicate His actions and attitude?  If I were in a similar situation, where my life was tormented or taken due to a political leader, could I forgive that person?  Would I be able to follow the example of Jesus?

                I would like to tell you the true story of a woman who did achieve the seemingly impossible, and followed the example of forgiveness demonstrated by Jesus.  I met Irene Gut Opdyke when I was 14 years old while attending a reading for her book tour in May 2001.  Mrs. Opdyke wrote a book entitled In My Hands, about her experiences as a resistance fighter during World War II.  She was personally responsible for rescuing 16 Jewish people, at risk to her own life and safety.  When I met her face-to-face while having my copy of her book signed, she took my face in her hands and whispered the word, “Beautiful.”  I looked into her clear blue eyes and I felt a peace and calm come over me, as if I were meeting an angel.  I will never forget that moment.  Let me tell you more of her story.

                Mrs. Opdyke was born Irene Gut in Poland on May 5, 1918.  When Word War II began, she was 17 years old, and training as a nurse in a Polish hospital.  The war took her across Poland to many locations as the country became occupied by the Russians and the Germans.  Finally, she ended up working at a dining hall doing slave labor for the Nazis.  Initially, Irene was unaware of the extent of violence and evil that the Nazis were enacting on the Jewish people.  However, by age 20, Irene began to witness first-hand what the Nazis were capable of, and she dedicated herself to fighting against them.  She began slowly at first, by smuggling food into concentration camps. Soon, she had the opportunity to expand her resistance.

                While working at the dining hall, Irene gained the attention and favor of an older Nazi major, who I will call Major R. for ease of pronunciation.  Irene used his affection to press her advantage in aiding the Jews in the nearby camp and ghetto.  Eventually, Major R. asked Irene to move in with him as a housekeeper at a nearby villa.  Irene set up the basement of the villa as a hiding place, and kept 13 Jews secret whom she had rescued from a murderous raid by the Nazis.  However, one day she was caught with two of her Jewish rescues in the villa’s kitchen by Major R.  She begged him not to turn herself and the Jews in to be killed.  Major R. was furious, but he agreed to keep her secret if she would become his mistress.  Irene agreed, feeling that she had no other choice, even though it was, as she described it, “shameful and humiliating.”

                Throughout her recounting of the experiences of the war, and all the suffering she endured so that she might aid the Jews, Irene described a devout faith in God.  There were periods where she wondered if God was around, due to the evil she was viewing, such as public executions.  But Irene always came back to prayer and visiting churches whenever she was faced with tough situations.  She never lost hope, and she never gave up on finding small moments of God’s love with her companions.  Irene remarked more than once of the beauty of nature that God created which seemed untouched by the ravages of war.  For example, the birds would still sing, and the seasons would still change.  The day after Major R. took her as his mistress, the first thing Irene did was attend a mass at the local church.  She said in her book, “I had God’s blessing, I was never more sure of anything.”

                I believe that it was this intense faith in God, which sustained Irene during the perils and trials of World War II, that eventually led to a moment of forgiveness towards Major R.  He had forced her to come with him while the Germans were retreating from the Russians at the end of the war.  At night, while he was securing her a hotel room, she said, “In spite of everything, I felt grateful to him; he had helped me save many lives.  I was already forgiving him for what he had put me through.”  When Major R. left the hotel for the night, Irene escaped him, and joined the resistance guerilla fighters who were living nearby in the woods.  They were the only people she knew who would look after her.

    Irene began to confront her anger at the Germans and Russians for invading Poland by acting as a spy for the resistance.  However, she felt uncomfortable with the violence of the guerilla army, and eventually left to look for her family.  When her search for her loved ones was unproductive, she transitioned to working at a hospital for displaced Jews and used her old nursing skills. These steps aided Irene in a slow process of accepting her experiences in the war.

    In a similar way, when we feel that forgiveness for a government is too hard to accomplish, we can take a step towards forgiveness through our behavior.  Perhaps we cannot change the world, but we can have an impact such as the one Irene had.  By following God’s will through righteous action, we free ourselves from the burden of anger in our hearts that can block forgiveness.  We must let God hold our leaders accountable for their sins.  It is only our job to take what action we can to combat injustices. 

                Irene Gut Opdyke eventually immigrated to America, and lived to age 85.  She wrote her book as a response to Holocaust deniers in the USA.  She began touring for her book, which was published in 1999, to remind Americans that the Holocaust was true and terrible.  However, her overwhelming message was one of faith in God and she emphasized the love we must have for each other.  In the dedication to her book the words, “Remember, love not hate,” stood out to me.  She lived through tragedy, but she triumphed with a message of love and forgiveness despite it all.  I encourage you to learn from her example.  I am truly humbled by her story, and the life she led.  God calls us close to Him, to live, love, and forgive like Him.  If Irene Gut Opdyke can forgive a Nazi officer and let God work through her, we can follow in her wake in our everyday lives.  Let us gain courage from the example of Jesus and His servant Irene, to act with a forgiving heart.

  • Nature is Healing

    Today, I would like to share a relaxing post about my favorite way to de-stress.  Whenever I am upset, sad, anxious, or just overwhelmed, I go for a walk.  Specifically, I try to connect with nature.  Yes, I am a tree-hugger.  I feel that the natural world is the best therapist.  When I walk in the woods, I feel God with me more than at any other time.  The silence of the forest, and the occasional interruption of bird song, puts me in a Zen state of mind.  I consider myself blessed to live in New England, where I can experience four unique seasons, and the beautiful weather that goes along with each one.  We are certainly living in troubling times in our country and world, and so my daily walks are becoming more precious to me.  I decided that the best use of my blog in this post would be to spread some joy with a little nature photography exhibit.  Below are ten nature photos that I simply took with my smartphone during my winter walks this year.  Please relax and enjoy!  If you feel so inspired, go outside for a little dose of nature yourself!  Blessings, G.

  • Trump vs. King

    Thoughts on This Day in History

    Today is inauguration day, and Donald Trump has been sworn in as president of the United States for his second term.  To say that I have strong emotions on this occasion would be an understatement.  I voted for Harris to become president, and I still firmly believe that our country would be in much more capable hands had she been elected.  Why did I not vote for Trump?  Simply stated: I do not trust him.  He is a convicted criminal, a rapist, a consistent racist and homophobic speaker, not to mention a failed business man. In addition, I am convinced that Trump only acts in ways that benefit himself, not the American people.  When I voted for Clinton in the 2016 election, my belief was that our nation would be tarnished by a Trump presidency, and I currently believe that it will be again.  The argument used so frequently by my Trump supporting friends that grocery prices will drop once Trump takes office is not something that I can agree with.  I will be very surprised if prices end up miraculously dropping under the next Trump reign, in fact, I am expecting prices to rise further.  Life is going to become very chaotic.  I do not think that those who voted for Trump realize yet what they have gotten our country into.  Trump is a fascist.  The attacks on the Capitol on January 6th demonstrate that he does not support democracy.  Personally, I am terrified about how he will attempt to change our nation over the next 4 years.

                Today is, also, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  It seems a cruel joke that Trump gets sworn in on a holiday commemorating such an incredible person as Dr. King.  I do not have adequate words to express my admiration for Dr. King and his legacy.  My focus, therefore, has been on the importance of this holiday, and all that it means for peaceful resistance and civil rights.  I will peacefully resist the Trump presidency as best I can by writing my opinions on The Ladybug or by engaging in intelligent conversation with those willing to listen.  I must humbly follow Dr. King’s example as best I can. 

    In honor of this intent, I would like to share a piece of writing by: President Linda Thompson, DrPH, MPH, DNP (hc), RN, FAAN of Westfield State University, where I attend classes.  This excerpt is from a school email regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

                “Dear Campus Community:

    On Monday, January 20, Westfield State University will be closed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

    Written on the Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial in Washington, D.C., are the following words from a speech he gave at the March for Integrated Schools in April 1959: “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” 

     These words are a timeless reminder that we all have a role to play in developing a compassionate, caring, and understanding society that respects, appreciates, and values all members. While we often spend time focusing on our cultural differences, on this day, and every day, we should take time to understand the similarities that make us human. Distancing ourselves from our own needs and acting to serve the needs of others represents the human spirit in its finest form.”

                I am honored to attend a university with these core values.  On this difficult day in our great nation’s history, when Trump is made president again, let us instead focus on what we can control: our own actions for justice and peace. 

                Keep Persevering, G.