Monday, December 07, 2009

God Wants to Cure Me

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Yesterday a man approached me at a farmers' market, and said, "I can't help but notice you use a walking stick". This exact phrase is regularly used by people who want my address to send me mobility aid catalogues in the post.

However, he then went on to say, "And God wants you to walk home without your stick. I have seen healings here today, and wonder if you would let me pray for you so that he can heal you."

I was amused at the time, refused his offer and walked on. However it wasn't long until I was actually furious.

Firstly, how dare he make all sorts of presumptions on the basis of my using a walking stick? Actually, my stick is a good thing. It helps me to get around without falling over, which is always a bonus. Sure, it's a hassle sometimes and it's wrecking my wrist, but his outlook assumed that mobility aid = awful, must be fixed. When my outlook is mobility aid = great, helps me go places.

And secondly, I don't think that your God does want me to walk without a stick. If he did, he's had a good few years now to sort that out, and hasn't. If he was that bothered, he'd have done it by now, and frankly wouldn't need you praying to him to get around to it.

So please, don't make presumptions about my rather gorgeous purple walking stick, whether I should want to get rid of it or not, and whether I want you to get inside my head by promising something you can't possibly achieve, by means of superstitious nonsense.

6 comments:

Laura Cousins said...

Why do people, especially it seems Christian people, do this? I am so cynical. I suspect that they are trying to convert other 'souls' to their way of thinking, simply in order to earn some kind of celestial Brownie point. There was so little humanity in that man's contact with you. He made inaccurate assumptions based on appearances without even the slightest hint of trying to get to know you as a person.

Frankly, had it been me, I might have succumbed to the temptation to bop him on the noggin with said stick' maybe knock a little sense into him. But I guess that is not in god's plan for me this week, either.

incurable hippie said...

It was one of those situations where I thought of all the clever retorts afterwards, sadly.

And yeah, mah trusty stick can be quite a weapon if I put my mind to it ;-) He's lucky I'm generally of the pacifist persuasion really.

I'll just think clever things as I walk away, and blog about it later!!

Claire said...

You're unlucky- although when I use my stick (For those who aren't aware, I am a periodic stick-user!)I am a good target for chuggers and market researchers because I am slower moving, not to mention those "ambulance chaser" type firms asking if I have had an accident in the last three years (no, would you like an accident in the next 5 minutes?), I have never yet had anyone attempt to heal me. Perhaps God wants me to suffer, haha.

thermalsatsuma said...

Walking sticks are indeed deadly weapons ...

:-)

Gordie said...

Be glad you don't live in Ireland, where people have been blinded looking for God. Belfast Telegraph

valerie walsh said...

I don't really care what a fool believes so good on you for breaking the chain of lies that enslaves humanity. The big 3 religions all claim to be the one and only source for spiritual enlightenment. Even if it were true for anyone of them at least 2-thirds have to be wrong by their own estimation. ;) love your blog!
all is one.