How Well Do You Know Holy Spirit

As a little girl, I was always content to stay home. I made mud cakes in a little muffin tin and baked them in the sun. I danced and sang on a big wooden box—one my dad had used to mix concrete in—after it was washed and turned upside down.

I played alone most of the time, 

but Mildred’s invitation to spend the night at her house was too exciting to pass up. Her mother’s attention to detail at the dining room table made a lifelong impression on me. I still say, “Everything tastes better on a pretty plate—thank goodness—and that even includes burned food!” 

But the greatest impact that visit made on me wasn’t at the table. It was in the room on the left of a long hallway. You had to pass that room to get to the bathroom and to Mildred’s room. The door was open, and as we walked by, I glanced inside.

A man—old, wrinkled and bent over—sat in a chair at the end of the bed.

Half asking and half announcing, I whispered, “Who is that?”

I had already met the rest of the family. Mildred’s older, good‑looking, football‑star brother—did I mention really good‑looking?—and her kind parents. But she hadn’t said a word about this man.

“That’s my grandpa,” she answered, her tone flat and final, like the subject was closed.

I didn’t dare ask questions, 

but I had plenty. He never came to the table. I never saw him in the living room. He stayed in that back bedroom, probably because of poor health. Mildred’s mom cared for him tenderly, but Mildred stayed away from that room the whole time I was there.

She didn’t even return his little wave when we passed. She just looked the other way and hurried by.

I don’t know the story behind her actions—

maybe she had reasons. I’m not her judge. But it seemed like she was ashamed of her grandpa. She didn’t recognize that the wrinkles etched on his face were wisdom lines. (At least, that’s what I call mine!) She didn’t see that his trembling hands had once worked long hours to provide for a large family. 

I could go on and on about honoring the elderly—especially now that I’m getting older—but that’s not where I’m headed. Honor is important, so seize every opportunity to honor the elderly. But that’s not the point of this story.

Here’s where I’m headed…

That memory has echoed in my heart for years, and it makes me wonder:
Have we done the same thing with Precious Holy Spirit?

Have we pushed Him into a back room at the end of the hall, leaving the door cracked open just enough to acknowledge He exists—but not enough to know Him?

We know He is real. 

Deep down, we have a category in our belief system labeled “Holy Spirit.” But do we know Him? Do we welcome Him? Or do we hurry past the door because we’re not sure what He might say or do if we let Him out of that “nice little room” we’ve reserved for Him?

Are we… afraid? 

Are we content where we are spiritually.

Has there always been something there, that kept you from wanting to know Him better?

Maybe something you were taught as a child, 

never saw the need, 

sounded weird, 

felt unnecessary.

But if knowing and being filled with Holy Spirit was necessary for the followers of Jesus, all 120 besides all the other ones in Acts, then why isn’t it still necessary today?

Don’t we still need Holy Spirit power to witness?

Don’t believers still need His voice guiding and giving us wisdom.

Does the world still need to see His love and power in demonstration today?

Who is Holy Spirit? 

Who is He to you and in your life, your ministry?

As we study Scripture, we begin to know Him.

As we walk with Him, we learn to recognize His voice.

As we trust Him, we experience His fullness.

Let’s be careful—so careful—

that we never confine Him to a back room in our lives.

Let’s give Him access to every room, every corner, every moment.

Because He isn’t someone to hide.
He is Someone to know.

P.S. In February, I shared my journey through the book of Acts with you. Several of you asked if I would make the teachings available in audio format so you could listen while driving, walking, working, or simply while on the go.

I’m excited to tell you that beginning May 24 — Pentecost Sunday — I’ll be releasing those devotional teachings one day at a time!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey through Acts as we explore the work and wonder of the Holy Spirit together.

You’ll be able to listen here daily, or even better, subscribe to “Pat’s View” on your favorite podcast platform like Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode.

📅 Remember the date: May 24 — Pentecost Sunday!

And if you’d like to go deeper in your understanding of the Holy Spirit, my book Precious Holy Spirit is also available in paperback, audio, and digital formats.