I have a very good friend who is sweet and loving. Last year, Hurricane Helene hit Hazlehurst, where she lives. During the hurricane, she suffered a serious stroke and was rushed to the hospital.
She survived, but her brain suffered. She had trouble relaxing. She couldn’t seem to relate to the good things in life.
So, one day, I drove up from Jacksonville, Florida, and dragged her off. I was determined to cheer her up. Her family agreed, she needed a day away — time where she could just relax.
As we drove over to the beautiful coastal town of Jekyll Island, we passed through the small town of Blackshear. I had an idea. — inspiration.
Their First United Methodist Church has a small, but beautiful chapel. It is open 24/7 and always inspiring.
When we pulled up, I opened the door, and I grabbed my friend’s hand. I explained that this chapel would be one of the sweetest places she had ever been.
Then it hit. Satan in his full force. As I began to open the door of the chapel, she began to struggle. She was frantically babbling nonsense. She pulled away, wailing with all of her might. Satan was in full control! And Satan did not want her in that chapel!
I am a very peaceful person and would never do this normally but I felt it was my place. I grabbed her firmly and pulled her in, kicking and screaming, right through the chapel door.
It is a small place with a pew for maybe four people, if that. You sit facing a tiny altar backed by beautiful stained glass.
Satan was not happy. Not at all.
I grabbed my friend and encouraged her to sit down. Then, I sat beside her and I had to physically hold her down.
After a minute or so, she began to show a sense of calm. She cried and it felt as though I could feel Satan leaving her as she was engulfed by the Holy Spirit.
Finally, she looked up and smiled for the first time in months. She said that it was a beautiful, peaceful place, and thanked me for bringing her.
After a while, she was fine. We left and drove to Jekyll Island. As we drove through the beauty, we could feel the face of God. We sat on a bench, off on a remote shore. We felt peace and love as we stared at the water and wildlife. We had a beautiful day.
She has progressed well since then. Did we really cast Satan out and away from her? Having been there and lived it, I believe we did.
When my friend and I left the chapel there at the Blackshear First United Methodist Church,alady,whohadoverheard her wailing, came out to make sure that all was okay. We both assured her that it was, thanks be to God. I commented that it was a sweet thing that their remote country church remained United Methodist! So many churches have left over the continuing questions. The church lady rolled her eyes and commented that they were in flux on the subject of leaving and that they had a few problems otherwise like getting the signs changed, for one and other things like that.
When we left, of course we looked at the signs. United Methodist? It was chiseled in stone. The Holy Spirit? Damn right. What a sweet place.
Herb Cochley is an engineer and a resident of Jacksonville, FL.
