The Power of Prayer

I believe in prayers. I pray every day -- usually multiple times.

I also believe that sometimes the answer is "No, I have a different plan."

If we participate in a prayer chain, are we inundating God with prayers to make things go our way? I often do this. I pray hard, loud and often. Then I have to remind myself that my way may not be His way.

Ash Wednesday

The husband spent most of the day taking his dad to previously scheduled doctor's appointments.

This afternoon, I decided to take the framed photos and pay my own visit. He loves the photos and we had many laughs and tears as we went through some memories.

He was wearing his Unabomber outfit. It made me smile.

Today is Ash Wednesday so I offered to take him to church. He did not feel up to it. So, I offered to smoke a cigarette and smear some ashes on his forehead. (For whatever reason, he finds my humor engaging.) We knelt and said our prayers.

My car must be programmed. It pulled into the nearest Methodist church. It was the middle of the afternoon and the only people were the frantic office people. I have never been in this church in my life but it felt like home. Shouldn't all churches feel that way? I went to the altar, did my business and was leaving when a minister showed up at the door.

(Can't you imagine those office people? 911 to the minister! Solo, crying woman in the sanctuary!)

The very nice minister put the ashes on my forehead. Then he walked me to my car.

Last Rites

The husband authorized the hospice chaplain/priest to give the mother-in-law last rites. This was done a few hours before she died.

She and Hangdog raised their four boys as Catholic. They attended parochial schools. Then, after they were grown, she got a little irritated with the Catholic church and they joined the Presbyterian church. (Not a big stretch.)

I am a Methodist. I have been baptized and confirmed in the Methodist church but I am not quite the member I should be. I'm working on it.

We can debate forever ... should churches pay taxes? Do they provide solace or hope or both? Does the fellowship outweigh the constant issues?

Here's what I know. I lost my mother-in-law yesterday. I do not know our minister well because I have been default in making that a priority. But I know him well enough that he was one of the first calls I made. I don't need him to preside over a service. I don't need him to visit an oldie. I wanted to hear his voice and connect with my church. I wanted to say a prayer and have someone on the phone who could guide me through it.

On the Prayer Chain

I once inherited an administrative assistant who did not like me at all. She was used to a different kind of manager -- gushy ... honey, sweetie, etc. This is not me in a business situation.

I pray a lot. Sometimes, it's on the floor. I've either chosen to be on my knees or I've fallen over an oldie. I like being on someone's prayer list. When the baby was little, his prayer list got so long I had to change it to groupings, i.e. my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my pets, my friends. My Uncle Ken used to pray for everyone and everything. I thought that was pretty cool. I especially liked it that he included my dog.

One day in my corporate life, I came out to check the fax machine. Everyone was at lunch. My assistant's church group sent her a prayer and tips on how to deal with working with me.

One More Day

Yes, I watched Oprah yesterday and yes, her show is the inspiration for this post.

If I had one more day:

I'd work out with the girlfriends.
I'd drink coffee and compete with the husband on the crossword puzzle.
I'd turn off the alarm clock and snuggle up.
I'd talk to my mother ten times and my father once or twice. (He's not as talkative.)
I'd do at least one thing to help the oldies.
I'd listen to my favorite music.
I'd put peanut butter in the maniac dog's Kong and crack up while she digs it out.
I'd call or email my girlfriends and my aunts.
I'd fall on my knees in prayers of gratitude.
I'd touch photos of the children and send them silent wishes.
I'd curl up with the husband after listening to him play the piano.

Oh wait, I do all of this almost every day.

Mitch Albrom's book, For One More Day, was the topic of the show. It's about a man who receives the gift of one more day with his deceased mother. They've made it into a television movie.

So, I started to think about this. If I had to pick one person who is no longer with us and I received the gift of one more day, who would I choose?

I'd love one more day with any and all of my grandparents.
I'd love one more day with my Uncle Ken.
I'd love one more day with all the pets I've lost.

I've got to be honest. I want one more day with my friend, Patsy.

Who would you choose?