16 Jan 2007 @ 08:38, by Enocia Joseph
My mother went to the hospital yesterday for some more tests in preparation for her hip replacement operation next month. This time she was accompanied by my sister-in-law, who is a midwife and used to hospital procedures.
When I went home yesterday I asked mum how the appointment went. She said the consultant had a cancellation and asked if she was willing to have the operation done today. Mum said the shock of being offered the operation sent her blood pressure rocketing. It took a while for her blood pressure to return to normal.
"Mum, you're too funny!" I said. "You're offered something you've dreamed of and you panic. I can just see the news headlines now: 'Patient Drops Dead Because She's Offered an Operation Too Soon.'"
Mum and I had a good laugh about it. She said she wasn't ready. She's mentally prepared herself to have the operation next month and is prepared to wait till then.
"Now do you see why sometimes our prayers appear not to get answered?" I said.
"What do you mean?"
"Look what happened to your blood pressure when you were offered the operation. Imagine what life would be like if everything we ever thought of was instantly manifested. What if you thought of a lion and the lion instantly appeared, wouldn't you be scared?"
"Of course I would."
"Maybe that's why things don't happen as quickly as we'd like things to happen because we're not ready."
Mum insisted that if she woke up tomorrow and she was completely healed she would accept it.
I believe healing is not just about accepting physical healing but whether you're prepared to accept the lifestyle change that comes with the healing. What if you're receiving some benefits, financial or emotional, for your illness and you're suddenly healed? Are you ready to let go of those benefits just like that?
My mother's experience reminds me of a scene in the film, Life of Brian, where Brian is being pestered by an ex-leper for money.
[[EX-LEPER:
All right, sir. My final offer: half a shekel for an old ex-leper.
BRIAN:
Did you say... 'ex-leper'?
EX-LEPER:
That's right, sir. Sixteen years behind the bell, and proud of it, sir.
BRIAN:
Well, what happened?
EX-LEPER:
I was cured, sir.
BRIAN:
Cured?
EX-LEPER:
Yes, sir, a bloody miracle, sir. God bless you.
BRIAN:
Who cured you?
EX-LEPER:
Jesus did, sir. I was hopping along, minding my own business. All of a sudden, up he comes. Cures me. One minute I'm a leper with a trade, next minute my livelihood's gone. Not so much as a by your leave. 'You're cured mate.' Bloody do-gooder.
BRIAN:
Well, why don't you go and tell him you want to be a leper again?
EX-LEPER:
Ah, yeah. I could do that, sir. Yeah. Yeah, I could do that, I suppose. What I was thinking was, I was going to ask him if he could make me a bit lame in one leg during the middle of the week. You know, something beggable, but not leprosy, which is a pain in the arse, to be blunt. Excuse my French, sir, but, uh-- --Life of Brian, the Ex-Leper]]
The leper has been healed but his identity as a leper remains intact. The ex-leper is like a smoker trying to give up smoking by using smoking patches. He hasn't given up smoking; he's simply replaced one addiction with another.
Your doctor can help you back on your feet but he can't help you cultivate the beliefs you need for your lifestyle change. You may need to see a shrink for a few years to help you come to terms with your healing. If that doesn't work, you may need to find a spiritual guru to help you get back in your right mind.
God's way is not man's way. God simply reveals Himself as your real self. You're encouraged to let your real self express as you. Then your affairs are transformed as quickly as you're open to let God express as you.
God doesn't play favourites. I believe God is constantly revealing Himself to all but not everyone is ready to let God take over. Since God will never force Himself on anyone, you're allowed to play the human game until you're ready to open up in your own time, whenever that is.
Ask and you will receive....as much as you're open to receive anyway.
Enocia
Related articles: In-Dependence; Support; Some Thoughts on Meditation - Haha; Filters; Receiving; What Seems to Be the Problem?; Dear God, What is Your Will for Me?; Stop Trying So Hard!; Supply and Demand are One
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