What does one wear?

I was raised a devote Catholic. My mom was a Third Order Carmelite Nun. My 4 siblings and I wore a scapula as children and into our teens. We went to church, said the rosary together and made novenas. Being a Catholic was everything to my mom. It was her way of surviving what some would term a difficult life. It gave her strength.

When Butch and I were dating, he converted to Catholicism to be part of my faith.We raised our boys Catholic. We were devote Catholics until ....

Until I became very angry when my mom was dying of lung cancer in 1997-99 and the priest NEVER once came to visit her. If it wasn't for a dear high school friend, Tim Taylor, who came and gave my mom communion as the Eucharist minister, she would have never been able to have what she dedicated her life to and found strength in. I became angry.

Although I try hard to be a good person, I don't forgive easily when I am deeply hurt. This deeply, very deeply hurt me for my mom. As a result, I pulled away from the building of the church and took my family with me. Nothing however, not one tiny morsel, changed within me for the LOVE that I have for God.

Okay, I needed to give you that background to explain today's events. Last night, a dear, dear neighbor called me to express her deepest concern and support for us. Her boys are our neighbors through the field of our road on Lakeview Drive. Mrs. Shillingburg asked me if I would like to be anointed. My response was that I was Catholic and didn't know what "anointing" meant. She explained that it was for healing. Her pastor would come to my house or I could go to their church to be anointed. When I thought about the love and concern that Mrs. Shillingburg had for me, how could I tell her "no". It wasn't an option. She was offering a part of her faith to help me. I didn't have the right to tell her "no" so I didn't. I explained that my roommate and her family were visiting and they would be with us. We'll meet her on Sunday at her church. I was going to be anointed, although I really had NO idea what that was. Mrs. Shillingburg wanted it for me and that was all I knew for sure.

So, what does one wear to be anointed? Butch, Nancy, Tommy, Russell and I arrived at St. Luke Church of the Brethren at 10:30 this morning so that I could be anointed. Let me tell you that I don't know if I have EVER been as moved as I...no we...were this morning. We were warmly greeted by strangers who instantly loved us. They asked me to sit in a chair as about 15 people formed a circle around me. Butch, Nanc, Tom and Russell were included in that circle. The pastor explained that the oil that he was going to use was not a cure for my cancer. It was a symbol of God. The pastor began with prayer and all of the people that formed the circle around me laid their hands physically on me. They took turns praying from the deepest part of their heart for this stranger they never met until 10 minutes ago. They moved me...us...with their words beyond expression. I tried to grab hold of each and everything that they were saying so that I could remember it in my darkest hours within the next few months.

I was anointed today. I know what being anointed means now. I know that God heard strong prayer from strangers that cared deeply for my family. It was one of the most POWERFUL experiences of my life. Thank you Mrs. Shillingburg for your love.