The Pull. (A True Story)

I wrote this when I was 13 after coming home from a trip to Baltimore to visit my dad... this experience was the first steps into a spiritual journey and a very important point in my walk with God.











The Pull.









It happened to me not too long ago.







"...Great. She's drinking this and then she's going to sit on an air-plane for two hours."

I looked up sheepishly at my dad, slurping my caramel-mocha Starbucks frapuccino as we walked out of the coffee shop. Everyone knew too well how I got after drinking coffee. We were walking back toward gate B7 in the BWI airport where my plane was suppose to take off in about an hour. We'd gotten there early so that I'd be able to board on early and get a decent seat instead of having to sit with a creepy old guy like last time. Yes, I was going on a plane ride by myself. But I'm thirteen... What could go wrong?

When we'd reached the waiting area, I flopped down in a random row I'd picked that was seated away from the crowded gate. I didn't always feel at my best in big crowds, which totally conflicted my dad and Aunt Serena. They were here with me, too, and we found our seats by the gate.



From a distance I noticed the whimper of a child located a short distance away. I searched for the source of the noise, and found my gaze resting on a mother and a little girl that sat together a few seats away. While I was distracted, I noticed my Aunt and Dad had started a conversation with the lady in the dress sitting diagonally in front of us. She had long blonde hair and her smile was bright. "So you're headed to Nashville, too?" my Aunt asked her.

The lady nodded. "Yep. I live in Murfreesboro.. not too far below Nashville."

My dad looked surprised. "Really? That's where she's going." He nodded his head toward me, and I kept my smile kind but couldn't help the shyness to it.


Once again, my hear caught the uneasy cries of the little toddler sitting a couple rows in front of me. I glanced over there and this time watched for a little bit. I saw her small face twist as she threw a fit, but as I continued to watch, I could see no cause of it. The mother of the little girl beckoned her closer, picking her up and wrapping her up in a blanket, holding her close as she spoke with a lady next to her. The little girl finally relaxed. Not even a minute had passed before the mother sat the little girl down beside her in the seat, and she stayed quiet now. Her gaze led straight in front of her; right where my dad and I sat. But she seemed to pay no attention to us. Her gaze was blank, staring into the distance as if she could see something we couldn't.

I wondered for a moment whether she was throwing a typical toddler tantrum, but she looked a little old for that. Something inside told me that there was something else. I wasn't just assuming because of her actions, but it was something far beyond that. How her gaze seemed lost, that empty and seemingly unassured feeling she let off.


Go pray for her.


The holy spirit was my helper and spoke to my heart all of the time, but this was the first time I'd ever felt the need to do anything like that.

Uhm... we're in an airport... I countered in my thoughts.
And What if the mom gets offended?


Go to them and ask the mother if you can pray with them. Go now before it's too late, listen to me.


I held back, sitting in the seat and continuing to watch the mother and toddler. My Aunt and the lady in the brown dress were talking to eachother, but that was blocked out, my spirit and body battling on which one would win. Either I was going or I wasn't.

My dad nudged me, then whispered to me in my ear.

"Hey... Don't forget to keep that little girl in your prayers, Hannah. Something isn't right."

"I know."

The little girl let out a cry once again, and it was almost as if I could feel her fear. It was as if something was scaring her, as if something was going on in her mind that none could imagine. She had gotten louder and had drawn the attention of many bystanders. The mother tried to calm her once again and told her to come. The little girl was standing up, now, and she backed away from the mother. The mom shook her head in distress and rested her head in her hands for a moment.

"And I think I need to go pray for her..."

My Aunt had heard me say this, and she raised her eyebrows.
"Well... if you really think you should go pray for her, then you should..." my dad instructed in a lowed voice.

"I'll go with you if ya want," my aunt assured me.



I stood up, and my aunt led the way to the row in front of us. Behind her, I hesitated for a moment. My heart was pounding in nervousness and uncertainty. What if something bad happened? What if the mom got offended or the little girl freaked out?



Just Go.



I stepped forward and listened to the voice. As we approached, the mom looked up. The little girl was seated beside her now, her expression calmed down.

My Aunt introduced herself, and I introduced myself. The mother smiled at us weakly, with question in her eyes.

The mother introduced herself quickly, too. I couldn't remember her name, but I remembered her daughter's name. It was Aurora, and she was an autistic five-year-old. The mother and daughter had flown several places so far, but they were originally from Canada and had come to Maryland to see a specialist for Autistic children. "Plus she's missing her dad..." the mother added. "So it's been pretty rough lately with all of the traveling...."

I nodded in understanding, and my Aunt was quiet for a moment. I assumed she was waiting for me to speak.

"Oh! Uhm... We saw you two sitting over here earlier and I wanted to ask you if... you mind if we prayed with you and Aurora..." I had choked up slightly while I'd asked the question, and my face had suddenly flushed hot in embarrassment.

Stupid social awkwardness.

"You mean right now...? Here?"

The two of us nodded.

The mother hesitated for a moment, glancing down at Aurora.

"Sure... if you want to..."

My Aunt and I nodded and smiled, walking over to where Aurora sat on the end of the row of black chairs. I crouched down next to her so that we could be eye-to-eye contact, not wanted to alarm her by towering over her.

"Hi, Aurora..." I spoke softly with a smile. She didn't respond, or look directly at either one of us. Her hazel-green gaze stared into the distance, lost in her own world. I wondered for a moment what she was thinking, or what it was like inside of her imagination.

"Dear father God in heaven..." I started off the prayer quietly and nervously, bowing my head. "I want to thank you for Aurora and her mother, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet them. I know you called me over here for a reason so that I could pray with them, and father I just release your peace and love on Aurora and her mom right now in the name of Jesus. I ask that you grant them happiness, knowledge, wisdom, a sound mind and a peaceful heart..."

I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. My Aunt Serena picked up where I'd left off, and prayed that they had joy and peace, too. After a moment, when we'd both finished, we'd said "Amen." in agreement and looked up.

The mother had been watching us, and as our eyes met I could see a mixture of surprise, question, and gratefulness there.We stood up, and the mother thanked the two of us before we walked back to our seat.
As we left them, I knew I'd never forget Aurora or her mom. It was definitely a helpful experience that I would share with a lot of people. And it was the first time I'd had the pull toward someone and asking if we could pray with them. I knew the Aurora and her mom was effected, even by a small action that caused them to think about Jesus. Maybe they wouldn't forget it either. Maybe the pull changed their lives, too."

"Bring out the blind people who have eyes,

And the deaf who have ears;

Let all nations be gathered together,

and let the people be assembled.

Who among us can declare this

and show us former things?

Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified.

or let them hear and say, 'It is Truth.'

'You are my witnesses,' says the Lord.

'And my servant whom I have chosen,

That you may know me and believe me,

and know that I am He.

Before me there was no God formed,

Nor Shall there be after me.'"

Isaiah 43:8-10

That was two years ago.



Now whenever I pray with someone, I'm not scared. They recover in Jesus' name because the bible says so.

I'm not ashamed to pray with a friend no matter how many people are nearby.

And I believe God heals these people.

Because when people see and feel signs and wonders,

they say

"It is truth."