He’s Not Finished

It was the early winter of 2024 and Pat and I were visiting the Warkworth Institution Chapel for the first time. 

As we walked along the aisle of the tiny chapel, the men’s gazing eyes were fixed on our purpose for being there.

Naturally, Pat’s eyes were equally as fixed on the men’s eyes, as he walked alongside me wearing his husband armour.

Hopefully none could hear the voice inside his head: “What the heck have you gotten us into, Paula!?”

Yes, it was me that got us into this.

In actuality, I was just being obedient to what was put on my heart to do.

It all began when a nurse from the institution came a few weeks prior, for vocal coaching; cashing in on a Christmas gift-card from her husband that wasn’t on her Wishlist.

Still, she honoured it and came for a couple of lessons.

Pretty sure I still owe her at least one or two more sessions.

But, that only slightly matters in this story, given she pushed it off as “I think I was meant to come for lessons just for this purpose!”

The purpose: to bring our SoulCorde music ministry to the men at Warkworth Institute.

This unfolded out of a simple question she asked, when she saw our walls covered in scripture.

She asked about our music ministry, and I summed it up as simply as I — a woman of many words and phrases — could.

I told her, “‘Let the Healing Begin’ is our anthem song and what we are all about: attempting to bring healing through our music.”

Little did she know that Pat and I had been struggling to find a space, a church, or any place that would let us in for free to do an outreach concert. 

So, we were praying fervently for God to “bring us the audience that needs us the most.”

It was a persistent prayer for over a year.

Honestly, it struck an uncomfortable cord to think that this might be it…

The answered prayer, that is.

And well, Pat was particularly uncomfortable with the idea that this might be it.

As we drove to the institute that very winter morning in 2024, Pat shared his concerns. While I empathized with him, I had a peace about the opportunity.

I reminded him about what we had been praying for.

I also emphasized that our “getting into prison” wasn’t as easy as it might seem.

As a matter of fact, it was a small portal that opened up only long enough to let us in; after a whole lot of paper work and fingerprints, naturally.

The head chaplain, Dr. Khanoo wasn’t wanting more volunteers. He already had ample.

But, with this nurse’s insistence, “The men need them!”, the chaplain agreed to give us a chance.

Prior to our first visit, we were told that we would just be “observing the service” and wouldn’t be expected to do or to say anything.

Well, that’s not not how it played out.

He introduced us as the new music ministry that would be coming in, and even hinted at this: “Maybe we could talk them into coming in to teach you music, because Paula is a music teacher!”

With that, he called me up to talk to the men.

I had absolutely nothing prepared for the forty plus inmates that sat there in heavy silence.

I stood at the podium and looked out, trusting God to lead me in what to say to these men.

Of course, that meant starting with a long and full breath in, before the full release of what was on my heart to speak.

I don’t recall exactly what I said, only that I felt a deep compassion for them as I saw the pain, the regret, and the hopelessness in their eyes.

So, I shared my compassion in the words that followed that long breath in, hoping they would receive it as a promise that would remain unbroken.

I assured them that I was there to love and to support them through the music we would be bringing in.

That promise has not changed, since that very morning.

And, here we are at November, 2025, almost two years later.

Well, and to that end, Dr. Khanoo got his wish: Pat and I come to the institute chapel on a regular basis, to teach music for two hours.

In addition to this, we are there once or twice a month to do Sunday morning chapel; with the men from our music club singing or playing alongside us on the worship platform.

As Pat and I drove home from the institute that first morning, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and hope that we were exactly where we were supposed to be: we found our audience.

In that very instant, a song began to pour out of me: “He’s Not Finished”.

When I got home, I sat at the piano and etched out the chords and melody.

The following day, I sat to write the lyrics.

Two weeks later, we played the song for the men during their Sunday morning chapel service; dedicating it to them.

A few months later, I purchased journals for the men in the music club and pasted the lyrics into the front inside cover; asking them to reflect on them and to “Free-fall” whatever comes to mind or heart.

To this day, like little children, they often bring their journals into our weekly music club to show me what they’ve written; songs, poems, or just deep rooted journalling.

You see, they are like little children, as they are coming to me with a renewed hope in their eyes, and a child-like pride that isn’t painted in ego but instead in a faith that I am going to be proud of what they’ve shared.

They believe each and every word in the lyrics, as they know I wrote it for them as a reminder that He’s not finished with them yet; regardless of wrong choices or circumstance.

You see, here’s the thing…

He’s not finished with any of us.

He’s called us to a purpose that is “[…] to prosper [us] and not to harm [us], plans to give [us]  hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Not only has this song been an expression of hope for the men, but it continues to be for me.

I too am reminded that until He comes to take me home, His plans to prosper me, and to give me hope and a future is still established in my Father’s house. 

I just need patience for it to be “on earth, as it is in Heaven.”

God is not up there, looking down shaking His head and saying, “Ah boy, time for Plan C!” 

Plan A has not been erased nor replaced for anyone of us!

So hold fast to His promises and grace, and trust that He meets you where you are at with Plan A fully in place.

Blessings,

Paula