MY APOLOGY TO GOD SAVED MY DAUGHTER
As related by Yoko Shimada (39) from the Ube Church in Japan
Yoko Shimada gave birth to a daughter, Rena, during January last year (2000). When Rena was two months old she developed cold-like symptoms, so Yoko took her to paediatrician. She was told that her daughter had a heart murmur and needed further testing to find out what it was. As a result of the tests, she was diagnosed with a congenital atrial septal defect (a congenital heart condition). Yoko said, "I was shocked to hear this and thought, why does she have to suffer this way since my other two children are healthy?" However, she went to her church right away and requested a Mioshie.
Her Mioshie was received
She received a Mioshie and its contents were about having harmony with her husband, not to worry or be too concerned, and not to have a stubborn mind. She said, "When I saw my Mioshie I felt it was exactly like my mind. I really felt sorry for my daughter who was suffering because of the reflection of my negative mental habits."
She was so surprised when she received a consultation from her minister who told her, "You received a big Mishirase because you had complaints about the people around you during your pregnancy. Are you having good harmony with your husband now? Tell me about your state of mind during your pregnancy?"
The family was against having another baby
Actually, when she found out she was pregnant with her third child, her family thought she shouldn't have another one because of their financial situation. Also they thought it would be too much for her to work with three children. However, she said, "I wanted to carry this pregnancy through and the more they opposed it, the more stubborn I got. I felt, 'I'm going to have this baby no matter what, and I'll take care of this child even if I have to do it on my own.'" Finally her strong desire won out and she delivered Rena.
She said, "If I think back about it now, they were concerned about my health, but I was caught up with my own thoughts. I understand that my state of mind at the time reflected on Rena's body, and I deeply apologised in front of my Omitama."
I apologised with Hosho daily
She followed her consultation from her minister, and daily in front of her family altar, she prayed with Hosho. Also, she continuously visited the church to receive an Oyashikiri Prayer to apologise for her mistakes and prayed as well to receive the proper medical treatment.
This past March, before Rena's second cardiac test, Yoko went to church to receive an Oyashikiri Prayer praying, "Whatever the results of the test, please let this turn out to be good for my daughter."
After the test, the parents were unexpectedly told, "It is a very rare case, but your daughter's heart defect has been cured. She doesn't need any more treatment."
The couple's mind was one
"I was so happy I cried, and my husband was also very happy, holding Rena and saying, 'Rena, it's really good news.' I felt that our minds were in oneness, and I did a thank you prayer when I went home."
Yoko said this is the first time she did a Shikiri of apology, "Until this time I have only received an Oyashikiri Prayer when I had a wish, but this experience has taught me the importance of apologising with Shikiri. While I was doing the apology prayer, I noticed that my husband was doing his best to help at home even though he was quite busy. We parents are taught many things from God when we are raising our children, aren't we?"
Her eyes were shining and she seemed so content to be the mother of three children.
(Translated from the September 3, 2001, issue of Geisei-shimbun, p.5)
