A Visit From Heaven

I'm going out on a limb today to tell you a true story.  I'm not asking anyone to believe it because the story concerns Mary, the mother of Jesus.  It has been said that faith in her is misplaced.  Jesus, himself, asks us to love her as He does.  I do and always will.  I know Jesus is a one third part of the God Head.  I pray to Him.  When I need extra assistance I turn to Our Lady to 'nag' Him into a quick response.  Many people in my life have had prayers answered because of the intersession  of Our Holy Mother's quick action.

The story goes like this:

When our son was in a bone marrow transplant room, so tiny, and so sick I stayed with him nearly every hour of every day.  I couldn't touch him unless I was 'gowned up'.  This meant washing up then putting on a gown, gloves, mask, and booties before going into his room.  I didn't mind doing whatever it took to protect him.  I did mind that I could not feel his frail body with my hands.

Every day I would go into the bathroom and wash his clothes in the tub with a sterile wash, hanging them on hangers and the shower rod.  The gloves stayed in place as did all of the other clothing that supported good health for him.

After watching the same movie every night before bed I would sleep in a chair next to his bed holding his hand through the night.  His movements were minimal, but I would change position when he did just so I could feel his hand.  To say sleep for me was sporadic, is an understatement.  None of this mattered, because our son was going to live and I could rest when he was an adult.

There was one night that I thought I heard the Lord's voice.  I asked, 'Is that you, Lord?'  The response I received was not expected.  'No, it's your mother, Mary.'  Tears were being held back.  For Our Lady to visit such an unknown, often mocked person such as myself didn't make sense to me.  I was not society's choice for the woman of the year award.  I couldn't afford to look 'presentable' and so my small community deemed me a misfit to be talked about and mistreated.  I learned to live with it, praying for God's strength and lifting up my pain for those in need -whoever they may be.

I welcomed Our Lady then quietly sat in wait for what she had to say.  "Do you see what my Son suffered?" she asked.  Not waiting for a reply she continued, " My son suffered for the sins of this world.  The balance between good and evil must be kept, so there are many who suffer in this world to keep a balance.  If evil is great, suffering of the good becomes great.  He was innocent, as is your son."  She told me she loved me and left me to my thoughts. 

What she said was in contrast to what I thought we were taught - that only Jesus suffered for this world.  I began to see that there was much more about heaven that we don't know.  We ask why so many good people suffer on this earth, but never expect an answer.  This is the answer.  Suffering keeps the balance of good and evil.

Even when society cast me aside, I was favored by heaven.  A ton of confidence was gained by this visitation.  I could face all of the dismay without thought after this visit.  I began to learn other, deeper, things about heaven and Jesus.  I am what I am today because of the love of a mother who never turns her back on her children.  I know it was God who allowed the time we had together.  After all it's He who controls heaven.  But it is He who refuses to control His creations - wanting us to turn to Him in love through free will.  Mary is not the path to salvation, Mary is His emissary.  One of many.

Stay safe.