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From my earliest years, Aunt Pearl was my favorite kinfolk. Her Southern-country upbringing spiced her conversation with unexpected surprises that delighted the heart and often startled you into laughter.
Her wit was quick, but so was her temper. Even though she was my favorite, I knew better than to sass her. When I stayed at her house, which was every chance I could, you can bet your shoofly pie I obeyed her.
She was short and round and twirled her long brown hair into a tight little circle on the top of her head, capped by a hairnet. She moved fast, worked hard and relaxed fully. Aunt Pearl deeply loved the Lord, her family and a good meal, especially if it was served with laughter.
On one of her visits to Michigan, I remember her sitting at my kitchen table sharing life lessons with me.
She looked up and said, “Child, there ain’t nothin’ worse than a whuppin’ from the Lord.”
“A whuppin’ from the Lord?” I puzzled.
“Yes, child, ain’t you never had no whuppin’?” she questioned.
“I guess I have. My mom used to send me out to get a switch off the tree. The worst part of that whuppin’ was picking the weapon to be used on you.”
“That ain’t nothin’ like a whuppin’ from the Lord,” she insisted.
“I was at this here hospital a-waitin’ in the hall to visit my friend,” she continued, “when they come abringin’ a woman down the hall on a gurney. The Spirit of the Lord said to me, Take that woman’s hand.’“
She resisted, “Lord, I can’t be a-takin’ that woman’s hand. I don’t know her.”
Again she heard Him state, “Take that woman’s hand.”
Aunt Pearl said at this point she began to “ar-gee” with the Lord, “afeard” someone “would be a-lockin’ her up if she wusta be takin’ that woman’s hand.”
The woman was rolled passed her, and for one moment their eyes met. Then she was gone down that long hall and through the double doors. Word came out a short time later that the woman had died.
With tears in her eyes, Aunt Pearl said, “Child, there ain’t nothin’ worse than a whuppin’ from the Lord.”
She believed the Lord had given her the opportunity to be the last person on this earth to touch that woman with His love, and she had failed to respond.
Then, with new determination in her voice, she announced, “Now when the Lord tells me to take someone’s hand, I take her hand, her arm, I hug her neck, and I don’t wanna let her go. ‘ Cause I don’t want no more whoopin’s from the Lord.”
“Have you been to the woodshed lately?”
-Excerpt from God Uses Cracked Pots-
I used that story recently in a bible study at Northridge. ❤️🌹
I used this as the opening for our Outreach Team meeting. I have used quite a few of your Cracked Pots stories at our Woman’s Club meetings. Both groups love your work!
Beautiful, sobering story. I love you, Patsy!
I would have liked your Aunt Pearl very much. Thank you for sharing.
Love this, thank you.
I work for a church and I am sooo shy. It’s hard for me to open up the ones close to me and strangers seems even harder. I have a big role at the church and can’t seem to share my wisdom and journey with the Lord. Sometimes I wonder what is my place is at the church. Ministering to others feels so very hard when I don’t feel confident with myself,
Aw, God made you, He knows you. If He wants you to be more open and vulnerable, He will equip you. Don’t worry one more minute about it. Just wake up every day and submit to whatever He has for you. Recently a precious Christian man shed tears as he spoke to my husband (the pastor) and I about feeling worthless as a man in the church; his body did not allow him to paint, repair, do lawn care. Yet, he’s one of the few who contribute the most financially. Always looking for the next project he can help finance. We reminded him that as the body of Christ we all function differently and together the arm, the foot, the brain, etc…all work together to keep us going, glorifying God, reaching out to the community and edifying each other. I’m glad you’re in the family!
Thank you for sharing your Aunt’s ‘learnin’ lesson’ with us, Patsy! ❤🤟
This story always brings a smile to my face because I can still hear your voice tell it! I had a similar thing happen to me on a plane once. God told me to pray for a young man’s healing who’s been injured in a motorcycle accident and was with his parents who looked in anguish over their adult son’s condition. I did pray for them but didn’t have the faith to pray for his healing. Your story of aunt Pearl came flooding in after exiting that flight and I immediately asked for forgiveness. I’ve also asked that by never shrink back again when prompted!
Thanks for the many lessons and wisdom you’ve sewn into the fabric of my heart and life! Love you!
Yes, the Lord told me to call a friend and share him but I was to scared and the friend died. I hope someone else was obedient!
Thank you so much for sharing, Ms. Patsy.
Thank you for sharing
Been to that woodshed before. Thanks for sharing your experiences and encouragement Patsy.
Patsy, You’re GOD USES CRACKED POTS is one of my favorites. Listened to CD in recent past with much appreciation. Met you at one of the Wimen of Faith Ralleys in Atlanta GA a good many years ago. Wish the cassett had been re-released as a CD or DVD. Many people would benefit from hearing entire tape. Thanks for recounting this story from God Uses Cracked Pots. Love you in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have my tape of you sharing this story on focus on the family around 1985! It is still one of my favorite stories!
Teary eyed. Feeling the loving hand of the Lord.
You have been an inspiration to me over many years as I have battled depression over the years. Thank you
Love you Patsy!
I saw you in person in Boston 2007 and it was my first Christian gathering like that…. I was so moved by your story and Spirit of God i wanted to run up on stage and join you in this celebration of being a daughter of God…
For years my heart has burned to find a way to do just what you do! I believe that God put it on my heart to do exactly that in life, its 2018 and i still feel like God is knudging me to be a cheer leader for Him … encouraging other women by laughter and stories of jusy how faithful our God is …Not sure where to find a playform or how to get started.
Patsy , you are my spiritual sister , and my hero from that day back in 2007… i love to make others laugh too ,
Love in Christ,
Deborah Harless
Boston
😂😊🙏🏽❤️✝️