Walking with Wisdom

Arriving at the hospital room entrance, two nurses assistants were feeding Mary lunch while she was seated in a special chair. She was no longer able to care for herself. Mary noticed me just outside the door, and asked if I came to pray for her. It was so sad and heartbreaking. I nearly burst into tears, but The Lord composed me and I answered “yes” in a semi-broken voice with watery eyes. The assistants said they would give us a few minutes alone and stepped out.

I walked in and placed my right hand lightly upon her head and began to pray almost silently. I didn’t know what to say but managed to get something out. When I finished, I looked at her and lost all composure. We both wept as we held on to each other. Then suddenly, I began praying again, but this time was entirely different! This wasn’t me praying now! During this prayer, I remember thinking how impressive this prayer was, which was strange in itself. The prayer continued fluently for the next few moments, then stopped abruptly. Perplexed, I hesitated a moment, then assuming I was finished, said Amen. She then thanked me, we said goodbye and I was on my way.

I wept as I thought about Mary and the totality of this experience all the way home. I had never experienced anything like this in my life. God was teaching me about obedience, love and compassion. He also taught me He is always with us. It was His Spirit praying through me the second time. Some time passed and I learned Mary went home to live with her mother and stepdad. Being optimistic, I thought she was being healed, not knowing she was sent home for hospice.

While working at the dealership weeks later, I was overcome with a powerful inclination to pray for Mary. I laid my paint cup and brush on the hood, folded my hands, bowed my head and prayed. Then I clearly heard, “No son, GO pray for her.” Not knowing where she was, I made a call and got the number to call ahead and get permission to visit. I placed the call, introduced myself and told Mary’s mother I needed to come and pray for Mary. She said it was not a good time as the family was gathered around her. I insisted on coming soon, she took my number and said she would call me back. I was surprised to receive a call shortly thereafter permitting me to visit. Again she asked who I was and with whom was I associated, as with the first call. I started to explain something to her, but not that God told me to go. She gave me the address and off I went.

Thank God for GPS on the phones these days. I arrived at the address and walked across the street to the front door. A lady opened the door and said, “She’s in the back room on the right.” I approached the room and was about to enter when a man stepped out of the room. He questioned who I was and my association. I quickly shared something and said “I need to pray for Mary.” He looked me up and down as I’m wearing my work clothes; shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes. I had no Bible, no black shirt with a collar or anything resembling a minister. I did have a cross around my neck so I faked an itch near my top button, slightly opened my shirt, revealing my cross, he said “Okay, go in.”

I walked into the room, Mary's mother was on the far side of the hospital bed along with Mary’s sister, with the side rails up. Mary’s mother asked if I was Jeff and Mary instantly moaned out loud. Her mother and sister looked at her expressing a puzzled look, back at me and again to her. Mary’s activity had been completely dormant for some time until now, according to later reports.

Mary was lying on her back slightly elevated from the waist up. I placed my right hand on her left shoulder and began to pray quietly. I could feel the power and anointing of The Holy Spirit upon me, but chose to pray quietly anyway. Again The Holy Spirit was praying, as I experienced the last time with Mary in the hospital. This time, however, was more like being in another dimension. My eyes were closed, the prayer was fluent and I was barely cognizant of my surroundings. Then faintly, I heard “excuse me.” I could feel the railing dropping as it barely touched me. I was determined to be still until The Holy Spirit finished praying. This was His and Mary’s moment together, not to be interrupted!

Miraculously, I suddenly felt something move deep in the middle of Mary's shoulder. Her shoulder, nor any other part of her body moved though. This is strange and difficult to describe. Then I understood this movement to be “her spirit detaching from her body” and returning home. As the prayer finished, I opened my eyes as the hospice nurse was lifting the stethoscope from her heart, confirming Mary’s departure to her mother and sister. A couple moments later, my hands went up and I started praying again. I then started smiling during the prayer knowing she was now safe at home with The Lord and happy. What a peculiar experience that was. Only God could orchestrate this. He placed a complete stranger in the bedroom of a dying women in the very last intimate moments of her life. Why me? I don’t understand. When I see Jesus, that will certainly be one of the first questions I ask Him. A friend suggested that since I was an usher at the church.....

God works in mysterious ways. I’ve since come to learn, knowing the whys and hows of God’s affairs aren’t in my job description, obedience and submission to Him is. Just go, He will do the rest!