So last night at Mass I took my usual seat in the second row while I waited for dh to finish up some things for youth later that night. A few seconds after insatiable down I realized a bathroom trip would be a good idea before Mass started. Upon my return I noticed a couple in the row eight behind me. We end up sitting near them every week. I stopped and smiled. The woman looked at me, then my belly, then back at me and said hi. I look pretty darn pregnant now do there's no denying it. It's been pretty obvious for a long time now. I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time she's notices.
Anyways. I tool my seat right I. Front of them waiting for K. Then I hear the woman start to tell her husband about a woman she works with who is pregnant. Then she tells him that something is wrong with the baby and that whatever it is is making the mother sick. She said something about it causing the mother some sort of kidney problems. I thought to myself, that is so sad! They the lady tells her husband that this particular woman also already has an Autistic child. I thought, wow! This has got to be a really hard time for this poor mother! The next thing I heard this woman say nearly caused my jaw to hit the floor. She said, "You know, I just don't know why women put themselves through these things! It's just not worth it!"
My first reaction was anger. I thought to myself, what is she saying? Is she suggesting that the woman should just abort the baby because it is just too much to deal with. Is she seriously sitting in church, in front of the tabernacle no less, having this conversation with her husband in a very audible voice? It's not like I had to strain to hear this conversation. I wasn't trying to listen, I couldn't avoid it. And then I thought, my gosh! She is talking about this in this loud voice right behind me, a woman who is obviously pregnant. What if there were some medical issues with my baby?
The whole situation broke my heart. And then I realized that me sitting there stewing in my anger was doing no good. I decided to say a prayer for the woman, her baby, and her autistic child. I also said a prayer for the couple that was sitting behind me. After Mass I told K, the story. He was sickened just as I was. We decided that we would add all five if these souls to our Advent prayer list. All five of them need our prayers.
I thought I would tell you all about what happened because I know what amazing prayer warriors you all are. If any of you have a minute and could pray for these 5, I think that would be wonderful! It certainly can't hurt.
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