The Story of Jane Haile's Sunday-go-to-Meeting Hat

God does not speak through wind, earthquakes, or fire but through a still, small voice.  In other words, a soft whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Hearing is through the ears, 

but listening is through the mind and heart

"Listen to the whisper of The Holy Spirit" is a sign that has been hanging in my home for many decades.  And it is a practice I developed since my early years of walking with my Saviour.  

I talk to Him.  I listen.  He responds.  I write it down.  Sometimes, He talks when I am minding my own business and not at all tuned in to Him.

But, speak God does.  

The Spirit of God (His Voice) speaks comfort and encouragement.  He speaks of His Love for us and the joy that we are to Him.  He also lovingly corrects us when necessary.  And sometimes mandates something that we must do.

Sometimes His Voice is loud, attention-grabbing. Audible-like.  So there is no mistaking it is God.  I've experienced that a few times in my 39 years walking with The LORD.   And His Words to me were profoundly life-altering for my family and I.

But, most of the time His Voice is soft, gentle, whisper-like - heard only to a tuned-in heart seeking to be engaged in conversation.  For the most part, we must be purposefully and mindfully be engaged to hear.

Jane Haile, an older, mature woman of God and minister to women on Long Island, once told me this story about when she was young ministering at a summer camp.  She was just a teenager when the hat incident occurred in her life. This is how she learned to recognize God's "still, small Voice":

While getting dressed for ministering to the other kids at camp that hot, humid Long Island summer morning, Jane heard in her heart, "Put on your hat." 

Jane thought, What?!  This can't be You, LORD.  It is summer.  It's hot, and I'm in shorts.  Plus, it is not Sunday!  I only wear my hat on Sundays (as was the custom in those days).  She dismissed the whispered directive as nonsense.  

As Jane was walking out of her cabin though, she again heard in her heart, "Put on your hat."  

She thought to herself, "I will look like a fool. The kids will all laugh.  I am not wearing my hat!"

The service started and after worship, Jane walked to the pulpit.  She stood there, speechless.  Literally.  She opened her mouth to talk and no words came out.  "Put on your hat."   Again she experienced God's directive to her.   After a few minutes of standing there foolishly, Jane ran back to her cabin crying because she knew she would be made fun of. But, she also knew at that point that it WAS God's Voice she was hearing so she obediently put on her Sunday-go-to-meeting hat.  She came back to the pulpit and outflowed the Wisdom of God ministering to her peers.

After the service, a boy came up to her.  He was weeping and told Jane that he had felt God was calling him to be a Missionary to China.  That morning, he asked God that if this was really Him and He was really calling him China, to have Jane wear a hat to the service that morning.  And if she did, he would lay his life down in service to The LORD.

Jane, was in her 70's when she told me that story.  That boy was now a man in his 70's.  He kept in touch with Jane all those years.  He was still in China, a faithful servant of The LORD.

Oh, Abba, may I hear Your Directives clearly, and may I have the heart to obey You no matter how foolish it makes me seem.  May my pride never override You, LORD.

Because of Him and Unto Him,