Whoa Mama Wednesday- Johanna Six

Despite my Texas upbringing, from a young age my parents exposed me to art, music and other cultures exponentially more than horses, hunting, or anything related to cowboys. I literally sat on the floor for hours with encyclopedias and the globe reading about other places and looking for them on that old-world-hued orb. Nerd, I know, but I think my young love of geography fostered an uncommon appreciation for diversity in me. In first grade, I had 2 best friends at school. One was an African-American girl called Shamonica. The other was a French-Amercian girl named Yvette. And thus began a lifetime of friends who opened my eyes even wider to places and people I longed to know.

The older I’ve gotten the more this desire has grown in me. And, perhaps that’s what first drew me to Johanna Six. Her five-foot flat stature and lovely almond eyes make you think you know what she’s going to be like before you speak to her. While it's true that she likes Hello Kitty, one conversation and know you've not even scratched the surface. It's likely one of the most thought-provoking, heart-engaging conversations about Jesus or music or life that you’ve maybe ever had and you realize, “I have to figure out a way to trick this girl into being friends with me.” The best part is, she is so uncommonly humble, she has no idea and actually loves the idea before you even start scheming.

I’m sure you’ve realized that these amazing women I always write about have real lives. They grew up with challenges, face hardships and are human. But, you’ve also probably realized that those things don’t hold them back, which is why, in my mind, they deserve honor. Jo is no different. Though she’s dealt with some of life’s hardest realities, her heart is wrapped up in praise. Day after day, she lays her life before Jesus and asks Him to come and change her into something more beautiful than the previous day. Even at some of her lowest points, I’ve watched her believe that He can and will move on her behalf. Because of this faith that could move mountains, she has seen Him come, over and over again. Not only that, but she has this amazing way of telling you all about it. Her stories usually come in the package of life-altering songs. What’s even better is that she can sing lights out and play piano like a dream. When all of those elements converge, it makes you feel like you’re a little closer to heaven and like you understand a little bit more what the Psalmist meant when he said, “bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name.” The thing that is most beautiful, most amazing, and most rare about the songs that Jo writes and sings is that they come from the deepest depths of her soul and she lives every word.

Every encounter with Johanna plunges me deeper into the heart of the Father, farther into the arms of Jesus and awakens me again to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I’m profoundly grateful for a friend who lives a vulnerable life of worship in Spirit and truth the way that she does.

Johanna, I salute you!