It was a noisy, crowded room for Food Bank today. As people waited, snacking on popcorn at small tables, I wandered around and played my harp for various individuals. Finally I arrived at a table with a friendly middle-aged woman. I asked her if she’d like a song, and she enthusiastically responded with a yes, so I played her a melody that spoke of her sweetness and lively spirit. When I was done, I prepared to leave but then noticed that she had a quad cane beside her. I asked, “Is that to steady yourself, or…?”
“Oh,” she said smiling, “it’s just that it’s too painful to walk without it.”
“Too painful?” I asked, commiserating immediately. “So… where’s the pain?”
“My back,” she responded, reaching with her hand to indicate her lower back.
“What level?” I asked, “What number would it be, if zero is the lowest level of pain and 10 the highest for you?”
“Nine,” she said without hesitating.
I was surprised. She clearly was used to living with this level of pain and bore it with an enviable amount of good cheer. “Can I pray for you?” I asked.
“Yes, yes, please!” she exclaimed with her eyes sparkling with hope.
I asked if I could put my hand on her shoulder and her back, and I prayed in Jesus’ name. Someone else from our church noticed what was going on and joined us. After a short prayer, I paused and asked how she was doing. “It’s gone down to a 6!” she cried.
“OK, let’s keep going!” I said. Then, after a few more minutes, I asked how the pain was.
“It’s a three!” “Alright then, let’s pray again,” I said, and, after that, she exclaimed, “It’s gone! It’s completely gone!”
This sudden, swift turnaround left me slightly stunned, overwhelmed with God’ goodness. She was definitely in her right mind and free from pain! We joyfully praised Jesus together. I left her, and when I saw her a little later, she was carrying the cane, not using it! Looking back, the harp played a part in this. It opened the door to our becoming acquainted and the harp music hopefully blessed her spirit to open up to just the beginning of the huge blessing God had in store for her.