‘It’s easy to judge people who are in the public eye, but we only see an image, and don’t really know what goes on in their hearts,’ says Kate Orson after hearing Dru Hammer shared the gospel with Princess Diana.
A few months ago I listened to a podcast about a friend of a friend who came to faith after having a dream about judgment day. She was standing in a sea of people and just happened to be standing next to Princess Diana, who looked very worried. The friend told her, “don’t worry you’re going to get in.’’
I was a little puzzled hearing this. It sounded like the dream came from God as the woman left behind her new age practises and became a Christian. Yet, the presence of Princess Diana confused me. She did many good deeds in her life, and her compassion was visible on the world stage. But, we don’t get to heaven by doing good deeds, that’s why we need Jesus.
I’d never heard anything about Diana being a born again believer.
I’d never heard anything about Diana being a born again believer. After listening to the podcast I even started Googling to see if there was any information online about Diana’s faith but I couldn’t find anything.
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Then a few weeks ago I discovered the memoir Hammered, written by Dru Hammer, in which she recounts her interactions with the princess. Dru Hammer grew up in a humble, spirit-filled Christian home. In her early twenties she met an American businessman, Michael Hammer. They fell in love at first sight and married shortly after. (One of their sons is Armie Hammer, an actor whose career fell apart due to sexual abuse allegations, although he was never charged.)
Through Hammer’s family connections Dru met Princess Diana when her mother-in-law died, and she went in her place to an event. When Diana asked if Dru had inherited the family jewels, she used the conversation as an opportunity to talk about how her mother-in-law couldn’t take her jewels with her, but she had known what really matters; Jesus.
When the news came out in the 1980’s about Charles’ affair with Camilla, Dru had also been struggling with her husband’s infidelity.
When the news came out in the 1980’s about Charles’ affair with Camilla, Dru had also been struggling with her husband’s infidelity. She felt the Lord calling her to write to Diana. She shared her own experiences, and the Gospel. In the memoir she recalls her reluctance to write. Yet after listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying, she ‘slept like a baby.’
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In her memoir Dru writes about how she believes that the reason Diana didn’t die instantly on impact is because she was given time to turn to Jesus.
I was amazed to hear Dru’s story, and how it seems to be confirmed by the dream.
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It made me reflect on how we never know who might be in heaven. We never know who has planted the seeds of the Gospel that may flourish years later. It’s easy to judge people who are in the public eye, but we only see an image, and don’t really know what goes on in their hearts. Only God knows.
If God puts someone on your heart, whether a world famous celebrity or a next door neighbour, then why not pray for them? I can’t wait to see who turns up in heaven! I think we might be in for quite a few surprises.
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