Eva and her son over Thanksgiving in the hospital

The soul cannot live without love.  She always wants to love something because love is the stuff she is made of, and through love I created her…That is why I have put you among your neighbors; so that you can do for them what you cannot do for me–that is, love them without any concern for thanks and without looking for any profit for yourself.  – St. Catherine of Sienna

I went over to Eva’s house yesterday morning.  When I came in two ladies from the parish were helping her to get dressed and were blow drying her hair.  She finally has some hair back that actually needs a hair dryer.   These two women from church didn’t know her before she was sick, yet here they were helping to care for her.

Eva had received some bad news.  Over Thanksgiving she had gone into liver failure.  The doctors operated and installed a metal stent.  She actually coded on the table and they had to revive her.  Now, because it is metal, she cannot have the NanoKnife because it uses electricity and having metal in her body would make it damage her liver. She was down trodden.  It has been an emotional roller coaster.  As always, her biggest concern was her son.  She did tell me at a past visit she had peeked behind the veil between heaven and earth.  She has told me that it’s all about forgiveness.

We prayed together and after I left the ladies prayed the Rosary with her.  I went to work at church and decided to go to Mass to pray for her before I began my workday.  While I was in Mass, I was conversing with God.  I was giving Him a little attitude, voicing in my head my frustration and anger over Eva’s prolonged suffering.  I figured I could have this conversation with God;  that He can take my anger and frustration.  If He wants all of me, He has to listen to my rant.

In the midst of my ranting, in my head, I felt the Lord say, “Do you still not trust me?” He continued, “you are worried about tomorrow and you are missing being present with me today.  Do you think I don’t know her pain? I am working all things for the good.”

After I left Mass and headed to my office, I ran into another parishoner who told me He and the Priest were headed over to Eva’s house.  He pulled out a Rosary that yet another parishioner made for her.  It had Padre Pio and a Miraculous Medal on it.  This parishioner did not know I had pinned a Padre Pio relic to Eva, and given my experience just a few days before with the Miraculous Medal, I couldn’t help but become teary eyed.

Later yet another friend offered to get Eva in touch with a photographer who would photograph her family.

Throughout all of this, I have seen an immense outpouring of Grace.  Strangers, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, reaching out to help this woman in need.  And all because Eva asked for help.  Eva knew her struggle would be a hard one, and she asked for help.

Too often, pride keeps us from asking for help when we need it.  Pride is an obstacle to Grace.  The outpouring of love that has taken place is actually breathtaking to me.

Take care of each other, love each other, and ask for help if you need it.  The giving and receiving, that is what it is all about.  Please continue to pray for Eva.  Our God is a God of miracles.  I saw so many small ones today that I have immense hope.