Periyamma .. the Prayer warrior .

“Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for.

John Piper

Papa was agnostic and Maa had her own pooja rituals . Service life offered us multi religious beliefs and it was interesting because it impacted our lives in ways I cannot even explain . I know Maa was curious about how me and my siblings would handle Religion .

Prayer was not a forced practice . We had our own little ways of bribing our Maker ! Papa always maintained that prayer is not asking , it should be a soul cleansing exercise and a daily admission of our weakness.

And gifting a prayer was a concept we learned very young . Not asking God for a favour for ourselves but wishing someone well and doing our modest bit to make life easier for those around us .

Today as I was walking back from the post office I heard hurried foot steps behind me . I was tempted to turn and look but resisted .

It was Anjal amma .. Periyamma to most of us.In our enclave she is almost an institution , a landmark ! Anybody needing directions to our home are told Shalom is opposite the place where Peiyamma works !! Will check google maps to confirm that . We knew each other from way back and our association just grew organically over the years . She was a part of the team of workers when our home was under construction two decades ago .

I waited for her and held out my hand to say Hi . We had some mundane conversation as we walked home . I asked her how Uncle Maraih is? ( our neighbour ..and Periyamma works with them. He recently went through a surgical amputation of his toe as gangrene had set in ) . She  said  he was recovering !

And right in the middle of the road she puts her hand over my head  and says in Tamil.. “ungallaka enname aavada akka . I pray everyday for you all , your home and everyone who comes there to be blessed with good health !

Misty eyed I mumbled something and said bye . I was overwhelmed ! It took me a while to absorb this ! Here was a lady , a domestic help who practiced intercession in all its glory . Age has ravaged this strong woman’s  body but her spirit is untouched by time ! I felt humbled by such generosity! Gifts come in all forms and I think that prayer is the greatest gift of all ! Do you too?? Care to share your story ? Happy Monday folks .

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