The Blind Healing the Blind!!

So tonight we had a healing service and as a Stephen Minister, I was asked to assist the pastor in anointing people with oil. When I say a healing service, I'm not talking about the TV preachers who begin their healing session a with a list of miracles. The pastor doesn't bark out diseases like an auctioneer - heart condition to the left, arthritis to the right, cancer in the upper deck. We don't tell people to say goodbye to their wheelchairs.

Rather The United Methodist Services of healing are not services of curing. Rather they "provide an atmosphere in which healing can happen." (The United Methodist Book of Worship, 613-614.) All healing is God's work, and worship settings where God encounters people are intrinsically healing.
When people are hurting, and when there is an invitation to share the pain, people respond. It is very natural and an act of hope in God. The ritual practices of healing prayer in the context of worship do not embarrass or expose people. United Methodist healing services use a simple sacramental approach to healing that expresses compassion, hope, grace, and a quiet confidence in God. There we can bring our inefficiencies to the all-sufficient Christ, who understands our need for wholeness.

And that's what I like about our healing services. It's about spiritual healing. Tonight it was the blind healing the blind.

Recently, My Clinical Depression has been a little out of control. The meds haven't been working. I have been here for a year now and ever since I've been here, things just have been off.( Not to mention my Godmother's death and every thing else!) I'm normally about to handle it, but this last week has been very difficult.( I'm going to the Medical Doctor and Psychiatrist tomorrow)

The last month or so, I have found myself tired a lot, unmotivated; just not happy! And if you know me, that's just not like me.

I'm just tired out it! I am suppose to be the happy one. The one who encourages people. For God sakes, I'm a Stephen Minister! I help people with problems!

But tonight, I was anointing people with oil, praying for there healing. Deep inside, as I prayed for each one and made the sign of the cross on theme, I prayed for healing. I need that spiritual healing. I need that " Peace that passes all Understanding".

As I finished, I was returning and I heard Julie doing her special " Everybody Hurts". When I listened to it earlier this week, I burst into tears. The words spoke to me:

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,

When you re sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on.

Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.

Sometimes everything is wrong.

now its time to sing along.When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)

If you feel like letting go, (hold on)When you think you've had too much of this life,

well hang on.

Everybody hurts.

take comfort in your friends.

Everybody hurts.

don't throw your hand. oh, no. don't throw your hand.

If you feel like you re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you re on your own in this life,

the days and nights are long,

When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on.

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,Everybody cries. hold on

everybody hurts.

you are not alone.

Tonight's healing process, reminded me that It's ok to hurt. That it's to want to give up. It's ok to cry. But know that everyone hurts at one time or another. To just hang on. The night last forever.

Right now, I will be honest: It is EXTREMELY hard for me to hold on, but I am....Healing is coming and so it the morning.

Everybody Hurts but Just Hold on,

Antony

http://antonylarry.blogspot.com