Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A weak bladder and God's grace

Alright. I admit it. I'm one of those people that have weak, cranky bladders. It cries out for relief day and night. I kid you not...I go potty more than any person that I have ever met. Even the sound of water sends me running to the bathroom. As do long homilies. I rarely can make it through a Mass without getting up to go to the ladies room. The funny thing is:
God uses my weak bladder to help people in need. I'm serious. I swear that God plants people in the back of the church that need help and then gives my bladder a nudge... because it happens too often to be a coincidence. Even my husband thinks it's weird. I either run into someone sobbing in the back of the church [this was a woman who had no food for her kids among other problems], homeless people, or sick people. This past Sunday was no different. I almost skipped Mass because I was feeling so bad... but I hate missing Mass so I dragged myself in. Halfway through the Mass I had to go to the bathroom, so I got up and went to the ladies room. On my way back I ran into a little old lady. She called me over and said, "Can you help me?" and handed me a miniature wine bottle. She pulled a little cup out of her purse and waited expectantly for me to open the bottle. Her whole body was shaking. " Oh, Lord, what's going on here?" I thought to myself.  I felt Him nudge me to open the wine bottle, so I did. I smelled nothing. Now, I have supersonic hearing and a supersonic nose so I realized that there was no alcohol in the bottle. Still, I asked her, "What is this for?" Much to my shock she started crying and her story spilled out between sobs. She had Parkinson's Disease and forgot to take her medication. The little wine bottle was filled with water but she couldn't get the cap off and needed help. I helped her take her medication and asked her if there was anything else I could do for her. She cried even harder. She looked me in the eyes and said, "I'm afraid to die." She was 86 years old and terrified of death. My own eyes welled up. I spoke to her for a while about God and promised to pray for her. [Actually, I was praying frantically in my head the whole time this was going on.]  This seemed to help and gradually she calmed down enough to go back into the church. I hugged her and asked God to bless her and remove her fear.

Things aren't always as they seem. Perhaps God was showing me this truth and helping a frightened elderly woman at the same time. No wonder He tells us not to judge.

14 comments:

  1. That's a wonderful witness that you are testifying to with your weak bladder. I never thought I'd ever say this to a person but.... I hope your weak bladder will continue to help others in need! Wow, I just said that.. crazy days!!

    :-) in all seriousness, God bless you. It's wonderful that God is gracing you with these encounters with him in those who are struggling through life.

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  2. Wow! I wonder if people who are afraid to die have spent enough time on this earth with Jesus, and enough time thinking about what paradise will be like, living with God, the angels and the saints forever? These meditations have helped me a lot in recent years. Maybe at some level we are all afraid to die, but at another level, the fulfillment of the promise of eternal happiness is very calming. I will pray for that poor lady you encountered that she will discover what Jesus wants from her. Thanks for posting about this.

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  3. I shall pray for that lady you met in church.

    We sometimes fear the unknown - and to us, individualy, death is obviously unknown. We may have seen it in others but we still wonder, perhaps with some trepidation, how it will be like for us when it happens. This is natural; and nothing to be ashamed of.

    That lady was obviously in that state of mind; and yet God knowing it to be so, made a point of getting you to meet her.

    God bless you Mary for helping her.

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  4. CWA,
    I have come to realize that God has a very funny sense of humor :) No doubt I probably need a lot of humbling also, so my weak bladder fits in very well with His plans. All things work toward the good for those who love
    God;)

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  5. Barb,
    I felt very sad that she was so frightened. I pray that God takes away her fear and reveals His love to her in a powerful way, that is what I'm praying for.

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  6. Thanks Victor. I think prayers will help her tremendously :) To be honest, I don't want to die by a fire. I shudder when I think of going in that manner.

    Perhaps a nice, pleasant, dying in my sleep, Lord?

    But not tonight, okay ;)

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  7. It always surprises me how so many people are fearful of death, yet claim to be christian. I am not judging them, perhaps when my time comes I will feel frightened also but right now, this very moment I only know it is something we all will go through and I know by God's promise that I will sit at the table he has prepared for me....honestly Mary I am looking forward to this....my fear is that I may not live out the rest of my life the way he wants me too, so I pray every day that I do his will.
    Am I strange or what.........:-) big hugs

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  8. There was a comedian in the UK named Bob Monkhouse - now sadly departed.

    He said: "I would want a quiet peaceful death in bed. Not like my father's ... with a bus load of people screaming as he drove off the cliff !!!"

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  9. Mary...I really find it interesting how God uses us, in so many, varied ways to be a witness for him. Thank you for being a willing servant!! Great witness story.

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  10. Mary, this is bautiful! :)
    Let me think now how God has used all my little problems to help others ...

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  11. Been there and done that on the bladder thing.
    Thanks for sharing. I’m your newest follower. Feel free to look over my blog and become one also.

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  12. Welcome, covnitkepr1 :) I'm off to visit your blog right now!

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  13. You have an amazing life so full of purpose and I am in awe.

    Only by staying close to God could you recognize His putting these souls in your path. I know you would love to be healthier and yet you humbly allow God to work through your infirmities. You are a great apostle!
    Hugs,
    Is

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  14. So, bodily functions are also used for his Glory! I knew it! God is very funny, too!!!

    This story is a wonderful testament to His Mercy. Isn't it nice to be merciful to others. Remember: how we serve or not serve will be our witness when we stand before Him. Okay, all the Purgatory reading I've done lately has me thinking about that all.the.time now. God bless you!

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