Encouragement God's Love Healing Suffering Uncategorized

The Beauty of Myrrh – A Tribute to Mary Barrett & My Pain Pals

starsnightThough it was late, I measured out a cup of laundry detergent and shoved the clothes robotically into our front loader. My mind was traveling through Africa, Washington, California, England, and other parts of the globe, smothering heaven with prayer requests.

Lord, I am so burdened for _________. I can’t even imagine the suffering and physical torment she described in her e-mail. And then there’s ________. I don’t know how she lives with migraines every single day; lying in the stillness and silence of her dark room, indescribable pressing that keeps her from friends and family. You’ve also heard and held the tears of ______ while they are struggling with relentless hip pain.

IMG_7983And then, it was as though the Holy Spirit interrupted my pathway of intercession and repositioned my gaze on a friend’s face that’s been in heaven for seven years now. Mary Barrett was a very special friend in my life. She was not only a gifted singer and musician, but she was entrusted by the Lord with a special anointing that enabled people to easily enter into worship and feel as though they were near heaven itself. There was a holiness and peace and joy that would fill the air and humble a heart before God.

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Women Mentoring Women conference 2006

I remember times at an annual conference we would attend, that a group of people would be sitting in a circle around her, all with their own guitars, eager to learn whatever she would show them. But what was so attractive to others, was not something that could be learned or imitated. It was the invisible, touchable work of the Holy Spirit through her. After one conference in particular, I nicknamed her “Myrrh-ee”. I had read in quite a few places that though myrrh had its own fragrance, it was best used as an enhancer, so it’s often combined to bring out the full aroma of another. Her friendship and gift of music was like that to me; though she definitely had her own unique flavor and aroma, when she sang or spoke about Jesus, His aroma was all that you were aware of.

Why was I reminded of her Lord?

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Mary and Mom. Singing in heaven together now.

Then I thought of her final days here on earth. Mary was dying a very painful death from cancer. Some nights, the pain kept her awake, while others, were from the steroids to help her breathe. When she’d call on the phone, it was hard to hear her voice. She’d labor in her breathing, and sometimes only have strength to whisper. There were no more belly laugh’s. No more conversations with her while she drove her convertible Miata to pick up her little dog Charlie at her moms. But…”Myrrh-ee” could do nothing but enhance the Lord Jesus. And then I understood why her face interrupted my prayers.

In 2008, I was out in California for a pastor’s wives retreat, walking around the beautiful grounds of Murrieta, and felt an urgency to call Mary. She wasn’t having a good day physically, so I prayed for her and then began to weep. The feeling of helplessness, the distance, her pain, was overwhelming. Then she said this to me…

Screen Shot 2015-12-18 at 11.33.14 AM“Shannon, please don’t cry. The Lord has been revealing Himself to me in ways I never imagined. I cried out to Him the other day about all my pain and He showed me how He understood and has borne the unbearable for me. He showed me that when I have my migraines, He understands as He had a crown of thorns pressed deeply into His skull. When I find I am struggling to breathe, I saw Him on the cross, pushing Himself up on the one nail through His foot, to gasp for every breath. And on He went, revealing the Word and revealing His love for me. He suffered all I suffer, but so much more. One day, no more.”

It still springs tears…but then I hear these words she would sing at the end of nearly every pastor’s wives retreat. (I don’t know who did the recording)


The last time she sang this song at our pastor’s wives retreat, she whipped off her chemotherapy wig at the end and we all clapped endlessly. Yes, for her, yet ultimately, for King Jesus. The absolute Victor over all things hell could ever send our way.

So my prayers for pain pals across the globe, and down the street, and in my church, shifted focus. May we truly know Him more, trust Him deeper, be assured of His love, respond as feebly as we are able, and have our hearts and minds fixed on eternity. Where, “all our tears, be washed away.”

Here’s a link (that can lead to others) of her recording just a few weeks before her passing.

Shannon Gallatin

Though merely a trophy of God's infinite grace, I am blessed to be the wife of my favorite pastor. I'm also the mother of a miracle with at least 6 treasures in heaven being raised by my heavenly Father. The Lord has used my past jobs of working with families affected by addictions, abuse, and other life tragedies, to help oversee the women's ministry at Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes. I couldn't be more thankful for His entrustment to wear multiple hats of various sizes, though they might fit a bit awkward on my noggin'. Praying that each of these things are being used to make me more like my Jesus and bring Him great glory.

Though I love all of the Word of God, Philippians 3:10 has become my life verse and Acts 20:24 my ministry pursuit.

http://ccfingerlakes.org

9 thoughts on “The Beauty of Myrrh – A Tribute to Mary Barrett & My Pain Pals

  1. ‘thank you for sharing this as it opened my heart to what a friend is dealing with in her war against cancer.

    1. I’m so sorry Arturo. What a friend she has in you that you consider her and know how better to pray. May she know Jesus draws so close to the broken who call on Him and catches every tear when they cry.

  2. Thank you for sharing Shannon. A helpful redirection for me in physical trials as well. His crushing comes only to release His fragrance; may I always remember, and look for it.

  3. Shannon I shared this a year ago and Facebook reminded of it this morning. I’m reminded of the ladies’ conferences at Grand Island and how sweet Mary always played that song before we all went our separate ways. Such encouragement! As I deal with some physical issues, feeling old too soon, and often being fearful of the future this brings me into focus. Reminding me of Who is ordering my steps, even the painful ones.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing Berni. Pain always seems to come too soon, last too long, and take too much. But in Him, He redeems all things…even our suffering. Love your reflection and thankful it encouraged you.

  4. Tonight I woke and couldn’t get back to sleep; burdened with the names of family that don’t know Jesus. Husband, son, daughter in law, 2 grandchildren. The song I must tell Jesus kept running through my mind. I finally got up to see if I could find a good rendition on YouTube. I found Mary Barrett. Then I wanted to know more about her and found your blog. What a beautiful soul she was – now in heaven many years.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts of friendship with Mary.
    Looking forward to meeting both of you in glory someday.

    1. Oh Nikki…it’s been years since I made a blog post and now, it’s been hacked into so many times, it’s not worth the effort. But I wanted to respond and let you know, for whatever reason your soul wanted to sing this song, and your heart sought out more about Mary…I’m praying for you this morning. I could fill many pages reflecting the gift our friendship was, but her legacy is that she helped others be “better.” In Christ, in calling, and towards others. God bless you.

  5. Just finding this here, today, what a gift. Thank you, Jesus. Multi-tasking, I’ve been trying to get an email to Bill Gallatin for over 2 years now, plus trying to send a video song of Mary singing my all time favorite…”Quiet my mind, Lord”…which has been my melody of choice over the years. Met Mary in Syracuse when the Merritt Praise band came to our handful small starter church of CC way back in the early 90’s. Can’t wait to see & hug her and Rosemary Gallatin again. Peace in Jesus.

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