Thursday, February 01, 2007

The Power of Prayer

A couple of months ago, I bumped into Edith while walking through town…

Edith: We’re so pleased about you and [Mrs T]. We’ve been praying for this for years!

Me: Um, well, thanks, but wouldn’t it have been nice to ask whether we wanted children before praying for it?

Edith: Huh?

Me: Well, if you believe that prayer works, which I know you do, isn’t a bit presumptuous to pray for something for someone else without thinking to ask whether that person wants the thing you’re praying for. Did it never occur to you that we might not want children?

Edith: (Looking a little uncertain whether I’m toying with her or not.) But we always thought…

Me: Well, thanks for asking.

A slightly awkward pause, then I grinned at her, and she smiled (with relief, I think!) and we went our separate ways.

I was toying with Edith, but only to some extent.

And then this week I saw Edith at church, and she asked if everything was okay with Mrs T, then whispered to me “Are you happy?”

“Of course I am, Edith.”

“Oh, good. You really had me worried after we met in town.”


Oops: I hope I didn’t toy with her too much. I did have point though, didn’t I?

4 comments:

Rosepetal said...

Yes you DO have a point. And it's also like she's taking the credit for it!

laura said...

dude, i so agree. i am tired of people presuming whatever about me and my reproductive situation. good for you.

btw, it was this picture i was trying to get going, not the green one, but thanks for your encouragement. :)

BasilBean said...

You definately had a point, and I agree with it.

It sounds, though, like she may have missed the point and understood you as saying that this pregnancy wasn't wanted...

I think you were completely right to say what you said, though, even if she didn't fully get it.

Alli and Frankie said...

Of course you have a point. Maybe she was just praying for your general happiness? LOL. It's a little unnerving to think of someone praying for a pregnancy for you when you never mentioned it to them before, though.

Hope Mrs. T is getting plenty of rest!