Starting the Conversation

Hey, Ladies. Yes, that IS a picture of a person milking a cow.  And yes, she's sitting on an old tractor seat (no longer attached to the tractor). And yes, I was there taking the picture. I also want to point out, just so you'll be impressed, that it was six a.m. and about forty degrees.

What will not impress you is the fact that during my stay on the sheep ranch in Montana (doing research for my upcoming book) I never did attempt to milk Helga (the cow) myself. Even her owner referred to her as an "attack cow". (Who knew there WAS  such a thing?) and after one "attack" too many he sawed off the points of her horns. No wonder she's ticked off! Helga is so stubborn she even holds back her milk when she doesn't want to give it to Lisa (because she prefers to give it to Louis, her very entitled calf who seems to have inherited his mama's personality). I didn't know they could even do that, did you? Anyway, it seemed safer not to try to milk Helga, even though she was locked firmly in a chute the entire time. She was prone to pooping in the bucket, which was enough of an attack for me.

Anyway, I WAS going somewhere with that. Because I wasn't directly involved in the milking of Helga every morning during my four days there, I took up a position on a nearby bale of hay and talked to Lisa while she squeezed away at Helga's udders, often with Louis working on the ones on the other side to get Helga to give it up. Lisa and I talked and talked and talked the entire time I was at the ranch, but I have to say some of our best conversations happened while Lisa was milking and I was perching. There was something about the slow, steady rhythm of her work and the sweet smell of the straw and the thin early morning light filtering through the fence and the gradual waking up of the rest of the ranch (chickens muttering, horses nickering, all that) which made conversation flow as smoothly as Helga's cream. (And I can vouch for the cream, by the way; it was delicious in a cup of tea. Fattening, but delicious).

It occurred to me about the third day that those udder-side conversations with Lisa were a lot like good conversations with God, which we've already determined is what praying is. (If you missed the last post you might want to go back and catch up). No hurry. No anxiety. No pushing or pacing or getting frustrated with silences. Just the smooth flow of give and take in the most unlikely time and place.

Seriously, couldn't the best prayer be like that?

    *You take up a sort of mindless activity, like brushing your hair or vacuuming your room or going for a run or even knitting something simple.

    * In the midst of the quiet, steady rhythm, your mind goes free.

    * And there's God, right there, watching you, enjoying you (mystic Meister Eckhart wrote: "God finds joy and rapture in us.")

    *He's there.You're there. You aren't going anywhere else because you're brushing your hair or knitting a scarf. And so you strike up a conversation about what's on your mind, since you don't really have to think about what you're doing.

    * Just as if you were talking to me nearby on a bale of hay or a friend lounging in the next chair, you say, "You know what I've been thinking?" "What do you think about_____?" "I've been wanting to get this off my chest for a while now." "Since we're here together, I thought I'd mention . . ."

    * The focus doesn't slip out of your hand like a bar of soap because  you aren't trying so hard to keep it there. The words flow in rhythm with the needles or the colored pencil or the hairbrush. The pauses for reflection are as natural as the inahles while you run or the refolding of the rag you're using to polish the table.

Just a few days ago I got an email from Lisa who wrote: "I don't really know where to start except that I know if you were here, sitting on the straw next to Helga's milking chute, I would take a deep breath in anticipation of what we might talk about."

Why not take that deep breath now? Why not choose a slow, rhythmic, don't-have-to-think-about-it activity that you can do for, say, twenty minutes? My faves are walking, folding towels (I tend to let the laundry pile up, so, yes, it does take me twenty mnutes to fold!) and making potato salad (lots of peeling and chopping and mixing). Coloring in a coloring book also works for me. Why not let yourself get into the rhythm and then bring up with God what's on your mind? No agenda. No expectations. Just God enjoying you and you being enjoyed as you let it flow out with the rhythm of your broom or your laps in the pool. Why not? What do you have to lose? And what, oh, what, do you have to gain?

If you'd like to comment:

 

        (a) tell us what cow-milking-type activity you'd choose to do while having a smooth, lovely conversation with God.  

        (b) and if you want, share with us what question or topic you'd start with or what God might want to talk with you about

Take a deep breath of anticipaton, because this promises to be a great conversation.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue         

Comments

[Alisha]

Hmm, this post reminded me of something my friend and I used to do last summer. We were on the missions trip, and every night when I got my meds ready in the kitchen, he would come down and sit on the counter. And I would work, and we would talk. He could have been anywhere else, but he chose to spend those moments with me. I learned a lot about God that summer, and am now realizing that God is like that too, a lot of places He could be but choosing to spend these moments with me.
Strangely enough, that friend and I just reconnected today, and had a good conversation.
So, my cow-milking activity would have to be getting my meds ready each night. It involves pouring and whisking everything into a bowl, running air through the line and then running meds through the IV line, and then hooking it up to myself.
I have a lot of questions and stuff I would want to bring up with God. I don't know I would know where to start!

[Caitlin]

Mine would be baking cookies. Measure, pour, stir, it's a great rhythm to me.

[Lexi]

Hi everyone! My cow-milking activity would probably be taking a walk down my driveway. We live out in the country, and I love to just take a nice walk outside. It is so peaceful and beautiful, especially in the evening when the sun is setting. It really makes me aware of God's presence.
I have tons of things to talk to God about, but I think one of the main things I would bring up would be the upcoming school year. It's my freshman year, and I know this is when grades really start to count for the long run. I would ask God for guidance and to help me be my best. I know He will be with me every step of the way!
♥Love y'all!♥

[Miriam]

I feel closest to God when I'm outdoors. I get to see that there are some wonderful things in the world, that He has created, which we tend to forget because of all the troubles we see. Praising God and thanking Him for the beauty that has been created is always a good way to get a conversation going. It's so peaceful and I often feel rested afterwards.

[Snappy]

I would probably feel like talking to God when I'm swimming my laps in the pool. I swim a lot without having to concentrate, so that would be a good place/time to talk to Him.

I would probably just talk to Him about my frustrations, to get stuff off my chest. And then tell him about funny experiences and stuff that has happened to me recently. Just talking, like maybe talking to a friend or a sister.

Or I could even talk to God while mowing the lawn! I'm about to do that, so I'll tell you girlies how it goes.

~Snappy

[Katie]

When I'm at work and there aren't any customers, my boss lets me sit down and watch TV...I use that time to "chat" with God, and just relax with Him. (it's also helps that the TV is in Chinese, so it doesn't really distract me!)

[Kate S]

first of all, i love it when i come home from vacation to see three posts from you here. awesome.
also, i've milked a cow and it is surprisingly harder than it looks!
It's really interesting what you said: 'The focus doesn't slip out of your hand like a bar of soap because you aren't trying so hard to keep it there.' For a second I was like 'hmmm not sure' but it makes sense now. I really really love that. Thank you soo much!
The easiest times are probably when... I'm floating in the pool, looking out the window in the car, in the shower...
thanks so much for this post~!

[Melody]

So recently, most of my prayers have been closer to cries for help than actual like cohesive conversations. I've been really stressed recently, because college and everything coming up. Like last night I was so busy going over everything in my head that I was starting to freak out and cry and I just prayed like "God please hold me, I need help." I keep meaning to do y looking what this post suggests, but I just haven't had the time :/ The closest I've gotten is at night before I go to bed I listen to music really quiet and pray. Since its dark there's nothing to distract me by looking at it and the music helps me focus (ironically enough).

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Aww, Melody...I just recently started looking (seriously) into colleges and even thinking about it is making me scared! I'll be praying for you!

I read this post a few days ago and been thinking of my "milking-the-cow" activity... Oddly enough, it would probably be straightening my hair. I mean, I don't really have to think about what I'm doing and it takes me about 15-20 minutes to do it. :)

Thank you for all the encouragement and prayers... My friend's husband posted on Facebook yesterday that it was his first full day at home without her (one of his brothers had been staying with him).. Please keep praying for him! Love you girls!!

Well, that's all I can write for now... I'm watching my eleventh month old second cousin right now and she's getting tired of just sitting on my lap. ;)

[Destini4Told]

Okay so, I used to talk to God when I took my dog for a walk. If it wasn't so hot outside, I would probably do it more. I would probably just tell God my plans for the day, because that's is the only conversation I can currently carry with Him without getting all worked up. Hey Melody, remember how you said you could give me your email if I wanted to talk? Well, would you still want to follow though with that? Praying for you to do well in college btw. <3 you all. :3

[Melody]

Destini: It's dancergirlmelody@yahoo.com. Make sure you put your name or something in the subject so I know its not spam :)

[Alisha]

Hey Destini, I'm here if you ever want to talk to!
Praying for you guys.
So blessed today, had the most amazing day, starting out with church, and a refreshing conversation with my youth leader, and finishing it with a modeling shoot with my sister.

[Therese]

My cow milking activity would be drawing or straightening my hair, they are both mindless, where I don't really have to think about what I'm doing and the conversation with God can just flow naturally. I guess what I would talk to God about would be my pride. I think I might be making life harder then it needs to be right now, because I refuse to accept help from others, partly because of my pride and partly because I have trouble trusting them and giving up control over a situation. I have a hard time even asking for God's help, because once I do I have to surrender the problem to Him to fix and that is so hard for me. I keep grasping onto my problems until my knuckles are white, not wanting to give up my control.
Destini, I'm still praying for you. I'm always here to talk to also. Love ya! <3
Alisha, I love having modeling shoots with my sister! Its so much fun, we do it all the time. :)
Melody, Praying for your college stresses!

[Destini4Told]

Alisha and Therese, thank you for offering your time, I REALLY appreciate it. I'm so glad I have so many people (at least from here) caring, and trying to help me with this. I love you girls. <3

Btw, thanks for your email address Melody. :3

[Destini4Told]

Can I have your email too Therese?