Sister Mae was 22 years old when she received the holy Ghost. She was living in Somerset, Tennessee and had two children. She picked cotton from sun up to sun down. She spoke often of the blistering heat and having raw hands from picking cotton. She had a new born baby that she drug though the fields on a six to seven foot long cotton sack. Tagging along close behind her was her scrubby two year old boy.
Later on in life, she had five more children, one of which was born in a tent with no one to help her give birth. Another child was born in a boxcar where she and her husband raised the five kids. Yes, those were hard times, but she never whined or complained. She just thanked God for providing the tent and boxcar.
I would listen to her recalling the feeling of when she received the holy Ghost in a little run down meeting house. There were no other houses in sight. People would come for miles--walking, on horseback, and in wagons--so hungry for God and real relief deep down inside. "They were strong hard people because of the hard times and work", she said. "But we needed something inside: relief and rest for our souls." She continued, "The power of God fell on me so strong and deep down. I MEAN IT FELL WAY DOWN DEEP IN MY HEART! She said, "I began to weep and cry, you know. The bible says that Godly sorrow worketh repentance. I felt such a wonderful overwhelming relief that it over came me completely from deep down in my inner most parts. It was like a well of living water." She continued with excitement, "Oh man, my Lord, I still feel it right now but even stronger!"
She would start speaking in tongues for a while, glorifying God. Then she started talking again, speaking of the power of God. "It felt so strong that night, and it sounded like rain on the roof top with an appearance like fog or smoke. There were several people there that night."
She continued her story by saying, "And all of a sudden, the man preaching ran over to an old potbelly stove. I recall it very well. The sides had a red glow from the fire inside. My heart was racing inside me. I thought to myself, what is he going to do? At that very moment he pulled open the door and ran his hands deep down into the red hot coals. And if that wasn’t enough, he pulled out two big handfuls and rubbed them over his face. To my surprise, it never even singed the hair on his face or arms. Honey, that was real! I never dreamed in a million years that shortly afterwards that the Lord would anoint me to do the same thing and more. My, my, what a wonderful God we have."
"Jimmy", she said, "Live just as close to God as you can. Obey him with all your heart, and He’ll keep you all your days."
I really can't describe the influence this woman has had on my life. She was like a mother in the Lord to me.
Jimmy
1-15-98