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Talithacumi
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| Joined: | Sat Sep 30th, 2006 |
| Location: | Eastern Ohio, USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
| First Name: | Cheri | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic - Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jan 4th, 2007 02:10 am |
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Hi, Folks. I kinda hate to ask for prayers for myself. Somehow it makes me feel... needy or like I'm self-pitying or something. I mean, we all need prayer and there's nothing wrong with asking for it. But it always feels a little awkward for some reason to ask for myself.
But anyway... if any of you have the inclination, I could really use some prayers right now. I recently - just before Christmas - found out that I have a kidney stone that needs to be removed. I went to the Urologist today 'cause the ER Dr. had referred me to him to get his opinion, and he told me the stone is as big as a golf ball and that it might not even be enough to sound-blast it into tiny pieces. He said I might need to have surgery where they'd have to put a little hole in my back and remove it. I'm a little nervous. I've never even had surgery before nor even ever had to stay overnight in a hospital since I was born! I have been truly blessed up to this point, but you know what they say: After you hit forty you just start falling apart. I'm finding it to be true! :? And it can be painful if this kidney stone is anything to go by!
And without going into too much detail, I have other things going on, like a worsening toothache, plus no job and no insurance (though I've been looking for several months for a job)... and a couple of other things in my life that could certainly benefit from prayers, as well. So I'd appreciate any that might be sent up for me. Thanks ahead of time. You guys are all such a support and I have been so blessed by this website. God bless you all, and you all are in my prayers, too.
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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Angie_Rivas1
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Downey, USA |
| Posts: | 110 |
| First Name: | Angie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jan 4th, 2007 03:21 am |
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Dear Cheri,
Please do not feel needy or awkward about asking for prayer. This is what makes our faith wonderful. We are all part of one body and we are here to support one another. I am sorry to hear about your health and your job situation. I will be attending mass in the morning and will put you in my prayers.
Love,
Angie
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"Be not afraid" JPII
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David W. Emery
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| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jan 4th, 2007 08:18 am |
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How can we not respond, Cheri? The troubles of life can become burdensome to anyone. And yours are no less worthy than anyone else’s. You would be surprised at how many people have been praying for you all along. Now that we know why you need those prayers, it is that much easier.
Prayer is powerful. God is not cold and indifferent. No Christian can afford to allow an opportunity to pass without a positive response, but in imitation of our Lord Jesus, is bound to show his love for his brethren.
David
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Talithacumi
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| Joined: | Sat Sep 30th, 2006 |
| Location: | Eastern Ohio, USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
| First Name: | Cheri | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic - Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Jan 4th, 2007 06:41 pm |
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Angie and David,
Thank you both so much for your kindness in responding. I know that I shouldn't feel awkward about asking for prayer and that my needs are no less worthy than anyone else's - I was just remarking about how I feel awkward... it's no doubt Satan up to his old tricks of trying to convince me that I'm worthless. (I'm trying very hard to drown him out when he taunts me with that.)
Angie, thanks so much for praying for me at Mass. It means a lot. I have read some of your posts and I want you to know that in some things I can relate to some of what you've been through - not all, but some. And I've been praying for you, too.
And David, thank you also for your continual kindness and responsiveness. You have been a great help to me, more than you realize.
Thank you both. And to all of you who have prayed for me. God bless you all.
P.S. I do have some good news! I just talked to a lady who interviewed me before Christmas and it looks like I might finally have a job! It's only part-time, but it's in a location where I want to move to, the hours are good, the pay's not bad (for this part of the country), and it's in a small family-owned sewing shop that I wouldn't mind working in. I always wanted to learn to sew better anyway. Now I'll have the opportunity to learn more. It's a little bit worrisome to me that it's only part-time, but it's certainly better than nothing, and now maybe I can relax my mind enough - knowing that I'll have a steady income - so that I can do something on my own time that will bring in some extra money. Thanks for all your prayers. I'm sure they've helped!
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Thu Jan 4th, 2007 11:53 pm |
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It's no doubt Satan up to his old tricks of trying to convince me that I'm worthless.
Strange. It was my understanding that Satan usually tries to puff up a person’s pride by telling him that he’s too important to be needing somebody’s prayers. So he gets uncomfortable when he finds himself in a bind and actually thinking that prayer and outside help might be a good idea after all, because his own efforts are not working out.
I am so happy to hear that you have found employment. Even if it is part time, it is something, and evidently you like that kind of work. Maybe if we all pray even harder God will arrange for this to work into a full time position later on.
Keep us posted on your medical situation. My brother had a series of stones several years ago. He opted for ultrasound and it worked out all right for him, although it was rather unpleasant for about six weeks.
Dios proveerá.
David
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CajunRick
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 12:04 am |
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David W. Emery wrote: [size=
Strange. It was my understanding that Satan usually tries to puff up a person’s pride by telling him that he’s too important to be needing somebody’s prayers. So he gets uncomfortable when he finds himself in a bind and actually thinking that prayer and outside help might be a good idea after all, because his own efforts are not working out.]
The other side of the spectrum is that Satan convinces us we are unworthy of prayer, that we are useless and without hope. Such thoughts often lead the victims to despair and sometimes to suicide. Judas was probably the victim of this type of Satanic influence.
In the 70's there was a phrase I still often use: "I'm OK, You're OK. God doesn't make junk."
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 01:16 am |
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Cheri:
I would be more than happy to offer some prayer for you, Please don't ever hesitate to ask.
I've already got candles going and prayers offered for many of my forum friends and their intentions.
but you know what they say: After you hit forty you just start falling apart. I'm finding it to be true! :? And it can be painful if this kidney stone is anything to go by
Boy sister, I couldn't agree with you more.
Three weeks after my baptism, I sneezed. heard a loud Crack followed by extreme pain, Collapsed to the floor and I've never been the same. But strangely am happier and more at peace than I've ever been in my life.
found out that I have a kidney stone that needs to be removed. I went to the Urologist today 'cause the ER Dr. had referred me to him to get his opinion, and he told me the stone is as big as a golf ball and that it might not even be enough to sound-blast it into tiny pieces. He said I might need to have surgery where they'd have to put a little hole in my back and remove it. I'm a little nervous.
I totally understand, Surgery anytime is scary, Rest easy, God has provided us all with wonderful physicians. I'm positive you will be occompanied by many prayers from your family, Friends, and of course your internet friends here at CHnetwork.
May his peace be with you, Your in my prayers.
Betty
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Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 02:55 am |
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The other side of the spectrum is that Satan convinces us we are unworthy of prayer, that we are useless and without hope.
There is this side, Rick, but it’s not that simple. The game almost always begins at the other end of the field, with the inflation of pride. The collapse of hope in “unworthiness” begins with the discomfiture at finding oneself ineffective (“his own efforts are not working out”). Despair is still pride at work, because pride is the driving force behind the alternation between elation and despair (and all points in between), depending on how things are going, which we see in “normal” people. This is why we see such an evenness of character in the saints: they are no longer affected by pride, so their attitude does not fluctuate.
There is just enough truth in the “I’m OK, you’re OK” psychology (for those who haven’t heard of it, we’re talking about a pop psychology fad from the late 60s) to make it attractive; it’s the necessary starting point acknowledging the goodness of creation. But in the end, given the action of original sin, it’s a sop for the ego, giving pride free reign and solving nothing. Kind of a Catch 22, which can be resolved only by grace and some “tough love” on the part of God.
My point here was that awkwardness and discomfort in asking for any needed help is almost always a function of pride. The collapse of hope is, as stated above, also a function of pride, but despair was not in evidence in the concrete situation. Anxiety is not in itself the loss of hope, and asking for help breaks through the discomfort and awkwardness to recover humility. In other words, this is grace at work, not the action of Satan.
I took the words “I am worthless” as a “teachable moment,” which I approached slightly tongue in cheek to disguise my intent. Now you’ve blown my cover.
DavidLast edited on Fri Jan 5th, 2007 03:36 pm by David W. Emery
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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 10:46 am |
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David W. Emery wrote: [size=I took the words “I am worthless” as a “teachable moment,” which I approached slightly tongue in cheek to disguise my intent. Now you’ve blown my cover.
]
That's what I'm here for! 
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Christine Ann
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 155 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 10:27 pm |
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Dear Cheri,
I don't post very often, but wanted you to know that you are in my prayers...your condition can be very, very painful; my husband has suffered as you are, so I understand a little bit. I think you're very brave to ask for prayer. I find it difficult too. I pray it's not due to pride...I KNOW I need prayer. Particularly now, because I may be facing surgery too. My OB/GYN has found a growth on my left ovary and I must go for a cat scan Tuesday which I guess will give her more information about it.
I wouldn't be so frightened, but my sister has suffered with ovarian cancer. It's a particularly virulent (sp?) cancer and the prognosis is usually very bad. So I'll make a promise to pray for you if you would be so kind as to pray for me as well. And please keep me posted on how it's going for you.
Thanks for asking for prayer and admitting it is uncomfortable to ask....without your honest post, I probably would be unable to ask concerning so private a matter.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 05:58 pm |
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Cheri & Christine Ann:
May his peace be in your hearts & Souls as you face your surgeries. I know these things are difficult and your sincerely in my thoughts & Prayers.
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Christine Ann
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 155 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Sun Jan 7th, 2007 08:01 pm |
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Hello Betty,
Thanks for your prayer. I'm feeling pretty much at peace about this now. I guess I'm as ready as one can be. The cat scan is with/contrast, so I have to drink that yucky stuff without vomiting. I guess I'll feel anxious about one thing at a time...until I know more.
Anyway, thanks for the communication. Cheri remains in my prayers....
Christine Ann
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Talithacumi
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| Joined: | Sat Sep 30th, 2006 |
| Location: | Eastern Ohio, USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
| First Name: | Cheri | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic - Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 02:37 am |
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Strange. It was my understanding that Satan usually tries to puff up a person’s pride by telling him that he’s too important to be needing somebody’s prayers. So he gets uncomfortable when he finds himself in a bind and actually thinking that prayer and outside help might be a good idea after all, because his own efforts are not working out. (David)
The other side of the spectrum is that Satan convinces us we are unworthy of prayer, that we are useless and without hope. Such thoughts often lead the victims to despair and sometimes to suicide. Judas was probably the victim of this type of Satanic influence. In the 70's there was a phrase I still often use: "I'm OK, You're OK. God doesn't make junk." (Rick)
David and Rick,
My phone has been acting up the last couple of days, so that’s affected my dial-up (can’t get DSL out here in the country, unfortunately)… but I had written a response to these posts and saved it to a draft, intending to send it out the next day. Then today I saw what you had both written since then. Since your most recent posts sort of coincide with my draft, I thought I’d go ahead and share it:
David and Rick,
Thanks again for your responses. Actually, I think the puffed-up pride and the worthless feelings are really related. They are two sides to the same coin... though I must say that in my life the side that’s most prevalent is the “worthless” side that Rick speaks of. I seldom feel that I’m too good for anything. But David, you are right about the pride, too, because ultimately that is what it goes back to. I can remember once feeling really worthless and I whined and said something like, “Why bother to pray? God might listen to anybody else, but not me. Sometimes I think He doesn’t care.” And my wise youngest sister looked at me and shook her head and said “Oh? And what makes you so special?” That has always stayed with me. It was an eye-opener. It’s amazing how paradoxical pride can be. False humility = Pride. (So, David, you're not really teaching me anything I don't already know on this particular point ; I'm just still working on it.).
Oh, and Rick, I remember that old 70’s saying about “I’m OK, you’re OK…” I remember a priest scoffing at that saying once… he said that it would be more accurate to say “I’m not OK, and you’re not OK, and that’s OK” or something along those lines…
Anyway, yes, David, I will let you know how things progress regarding my kidney stones. Again, pray for me… Hey, you could ask the Great John Paul II to intercede on my behalf. Then if a miracle should happen I can give him the credit and maybe he could be canonized! (OK, OK. Wishful thinking . Maybe that’s just a little selfishness on my part because I don’t want any pain? Actually, I’m praying to Bl. Jacinta, my special little saint, to help me to learn to offer this up better.)
Dios les bendiga +
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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Talithacumi
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 02:43 am |
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Christine Ann and Betty,
Just wanted to say thanks for your empathy and support! Means a lot!
And, Christine Ann, know that you are in my prayers also. I sincerely hope things go well with you and that your growth isn't cancerous. I'll mention you during my Rosary tonight, and I'm even now asking St. Peregrine (patron Saint of Cancer sufferers) to pray for you...
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 04:05 pm |
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Actually, I think the puffed-up pride and the worthless feelings are really related. They are two sides to the same coin.
This is right on the money. Both extremes are basically the working of pride, while the “healthy” way avoids pride altogether.
Yes, your sister is wise. If you look at the comment, “Sometimes I think He doesn’t care,” you can see the pride dripping from its soggy core: “After all, how could God not care about me? That is simply not reasonable; there must be something wrong with God.” Your sister saw the implications and responded incisively.
I have given the Servant of God John Paul II the word and await the outcome.
David
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catholic
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Posted: Tue Jan 16th, 2007 10:10 pm |
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Think of the air safety lecture before your flight takes off. Don your own oxygen mask before you help others don theirs.
Substitute "donning the oxygen mask" with "prayer."
You must comply with the flight attendants instructions!
____________________
"A teacher who is not dogmatic is simply a teacher who is not teaching."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
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Talithacumi
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| Joined: | Sat Sep 30th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Cheri | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic - Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Jan 17th, 2007 02:40 am |
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catholic wrote: Think of the air safety lecture before your flight takes off. Don your own oxygen mask before you help others don theirs.
Substitute "donning the oxygen mask" with "prayer."
You must comply with the flight attendants instructions!
Catholic,
Thanks  . I'll try to remember that one. It makes sense and it's something to ponder.
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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Christine Ann
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| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Thu Jan 18th, 2007 09:01 pm |
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Hi Cheri,
I have good news! The doctor who read my CAT scan said he saw nothing to be concerned about. What a relief. Praise God for answered prayer! And thank you, Cheri and everyone who prayed for me. It really settled my fears. I truly appreciate it.
By the way Cheri, how's your condition doing? Must you have surgery? You are still in my prayers.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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Talithacumi
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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2007 03:19 am |
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Christine Ann wrote: Hi Cheri,
I have good news! The doctor who read my CAT scan said he saw nothing to be concerned about. What a relief. Praise God for answered prayer! And thank you, Cheri and everyone who prayed for me. It really settled my fears. I truly appreciate it.
By the way Cheri, how's your condition doing? Must you have surgery? You are still in my prayers.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
Christine Ann,
I'm so happy for you that things went well with your CAT scan! Praise God! That's great news! 
As for me, I went to the Urologist the other day and he said that though the kidney stone is rather large, he thinks that by the way it's shaped and how it looks I might be able to have it blasted out, though it might take a couple of sessions. But at this point, it looks like I might not need surgery after all - it will be an out-patient procedure to have it blasted. He's going to wait til May in the hopes that I'll be able to get insurance by then (I don't see that happening any time soon considering I just now finally got a part-time job after many months of searching [the place where I'll be working doesn't offer insurance] ).
He says the stone is too big to dissolve on its own, but I'm still praying for a miracle of some kind between now and May. I'm really pretty strapped financially and with no insurance... well, I'm just glad that I won't need surgery, but still... I'm asking you all to continue to pray for me. I'm sure we'd all like to see John Paul II become a saint, right? ... so you can ask for his intercession... Anyway, I appreciate all your prayers -and thanks for all your prayers thus far!
JMJ
- Cheri
____________________
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world; we want a Church that will move the world.”
- G.K. Chesterton
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Christine Ann
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| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2007 10:31 pm |
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Dear Cheri,
"Blasting" sounds so barbaric and cruel....but I guess that does describe the procedure  . I'm concerned about your job and insurance situation. My sister is without insurance but she told me the other day that the doctor referred her to a clinic which is scaled to your income. She's the one whose had ovarian cancer that they caught in time. But she needs to be examined frequently and it's been three years since her last test! So it's a great blessing to have found this clinic. Hopefully they can find an oncologist for her who takes her small income into consideration. There are some who do. Her husband died two years ago at Christmas and her job doesn't supply insurance either. It could happen to any of us...many people are just a few paychecks from disaster; so I'm telling you this so you know that your problem has a special place in my heart, and I will be praying for you. I know the Lord will be looking over your situation and opening doors for answers soon.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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