Resolve problems, don't get stuck like molasses
One of my favorite writers for the Gettysburg Times is Michael Cooper-White. Primarily because he is a good journalist, but also because he shares experiences from his past life. We share several things in common, both from the mid-west, raised on a farm, former pastors and pilots (a former pilot for me) and several other commonalities. I can relate to his reflection’s, particularly those from his “farm boy” years.
Thus, I take a page from his journal in recalling a childhood memory of mine as I accompanied my father to the feed mill to have grains ground for our livestock. Dad would load the sacks of oats, wheat and ears of corn (still on the cob as the cob added extra ruffage for the animals) into the trunk and back seat of our oldest car. Obviously, we couldn’t afford a pickup truck. As we pulled up to the unloading dock the attendant would appear and help my father onload the sacks. Before dumping them into the chute for grinding they would discuss what minerals and additives to mix in with the grains. Then the attendant would ask, “Would you like a little molasses to sweeten it up for the livestock?” “Yes”, came the answer and an amount was suggested and the grinding and mixing began. Once it was mixed, we would drive to the loading dock and the ground sacks of mixed feed were then loaded into the trunk and back seat. All the way home I could smell the sweet scent of molasses. Some don’t care for the smell, but I loved it because it reminded me of warm molasses cookies fresh from my mom’s oven.
However, there is a problem with molasses in January in Michigan. It is so thick that it won’t flow naturally and must be heated, thus the country saying of “slower that molasses in January,” a phrase often applied to someone who was moving rather slowly.
As we enter the month of January and the beginning of 2022 our relationships can become hardened, “stuck” and static. Sometimes locking up and freezing completely in families, at work and in neighborhood situations. You can’t just add heat as they did at the grist mill to get things moving, but there are other solutions to get life and vitality back into our personal exchanges. That’s where Mediation Services of Adams County can help. By adding this service to your hardened and stiffened positions you can get your “stuck” conflicts pliable and manageable once again. If you find this the case in your January, give us a call at 717-334-7312 or check out our web page www.mediateadams.org. We would be happy to have one of our trained mediators meet with you and yours to discuss how you can resolve your differences and move ahead. If your disputant is unwilling to negotiate and enter into mediation, we offer conflict counseling as well. Our services are available at very reasonable rates, based on a sliding scale depending upon your income.
Rev. Lynn Cairns is a retired UMC pastor from the Baltimore and Washington Conference and MSAC board member.