Hankies and Hollerin’

I know that I am aging myself, but I am glad I was around when worship services were laced with hankies and hollerin’.  Saints of old felt free to speak out as the Spirit lead them.  Not that I am suggesting that for nowadays, but for me that was a rich time in our church’s history.  Now some may even be wondering what in the world “hankies and hollerin’” has to do with worship, maybe you haven’t been in a service where the ladies waved their hankies and the blessed hollered praises to God sometimes interrupting the service. More often than not the Holy Spirit took over in those services where there was no need for preaching.  I’ll have to admit there were times when I hoped the hollerers would be quiet when I had an unsuspecting visitor with me, knowing that some might be taken back.  I have seen many jump out of their skin with the wind up of sisters and brothers praising the Lord.  I remember the first time that Larry my new groom attended such a service.  I was afraid he might have been put off by the preacher raising his voice to make a point but he found it to be more meaningful with the show of emotion as well as the freedom in worship. The older I got the more I appreciated these saints that expressed their worship in these lovely outbursts.  I’m sure in churches today such freedom would not be tolerated and maybe rightfully so in some cases but my life is richer for having experienced the beautiful display of hankies and hollerin’!  I’m a definite throwback from this era minus the hankies and hollerin’.  I still like to raise my hand when I am blessed by the Lord and on occasion stand and share a testimony of what the Lord has done for me.  Holy Spirit come to us as we worship however pleases you.