Hannah Pearl

I apologize.

I started this last year with the gung-ho intention of writing more frequently.  I could not have imagined how packed the last 6 months of the year would be.  I haven’t written because when I do I want to remain as true as possible to my experiences and yet maintain the privacy of the ministry I have been interning for.  It has been an intense time with a windfall of experiences and emotions.  It has all worked together for the healing of my soul and a cleaner existence to be sure.  I’m going to have to find the balance and be able to share all God is doing and maintain proper anonymity of those now in my life. 

Let’s just talk about the amazing weekend I’ve had which started with my dear friend Hannah Pearl.  Hannah Pearl is British.  She must be in her 70’s and is absolutely gorgeous.  I mean it.  Her hair is short, white, and completely stylish.  She is petite and her make up is perfect.  She is encouraging and flows in the gifts of the Spirit as easily as she breathes.  I was honored to have lunch with her (she invited me for ‘tea’).  She asked me questions and spoke to me of my Father’s love.  We asked how the other came to be in Arizona and about marriage.  When I complimented her on her red sweater, saying it was exactly the kind I like, she gave it to me.  Refusing was futile.  It is instantly one of my favorites, more because of the giver than the gift itself.  Needless to say, being the crier that I am, I teared my way through the hour and ½.   Shocker, I know.  (Stop laughing and rolling your eyes, Octoli.)  But the greatest part came right at the end before I left. 

“I want to play a song for you” she said.  “It’s not a song with words, it’s just a tune…for you.”  “Okay!”  I exclaimed.  “Just sit there and close your eyes,” she instructed, “and we’ll see what the Lord will do.”  She paused and prayed, “Thank you, Papa… I just praise You and Thank You, Lord.  I offer up these hands, Father, and I juuust ask that You would flow, flow, flow through me, Father… for Leah today.  Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You, Jesus.”  Already moved by the sweetness of her heart and tenderness of her words what came next brought something I have never experienced before.  Four full minutes of a tune never before played that felt as personal as anything I’ve ever been, done, or imagined.  Every note strummed a piece of my heart.  I could see clearly the ups and downs of my journey all encompassed with…joy!  Joy!!!  Overwhelming love presented through joy. 

Joy is something I have a hard time maintaining and told Hannah Pearl so afterwards.  Yet in the midst of this heavenly performance I couldn’t do anything but feel the love and pure, uninhibited, joy!  I could hear the Lord perfectly say, ‘It’s all meantime.’  Like everything I strive for and worry about is so…simple.  It’s all meantime… no matter where I work or what I do.  No matter where I live or how I plan… it’s all meantime.  The big things- the truly important things WILL COME.  They will flow as naturally as life itself because my focus is on Him and His plans for me are ordered.  Mind you all of this understanding came in an instant.  A knowing.  As peaceful and settled as any secure, organized agenda I could produce.  PRAISE GOD for voice recording on smart phones!!  I recorded the whole thing.  I want to have it transcribed and copy righted!!  Framed!

Afterwards Hannah Pearl shared with me what she felt as she played, ‘the Father’s Love, love, love for me’ and really that ‘the sky is the limit.’  I’m accepting this as cruciality in my life.  Let’s see what the Lord will do, indeed.