Country music star Carrie Underwood was visibly moved during a recent audition on American Idol after contestant Hannah Harper shared a song born out of pain, prayer and faith. Harper, a mother of three, performed her original song “String Cheese,” a raw reflection of her struggle with postpartum depression and the moment she encountered God’s steadying presence.
As reported by The Christian Post, the audition aired in a sneak preview of the show’s 24th season and captured a deeply personal testimony that resonated with judges and viewers alike. Underwood was seen wiping away tears as Harper sang, later calling it “about the most relatable song I’ve ever heard.”
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Harper explained that the song was written during one of her darkest moments as a mother. “I remember being on the couch. They were all crying at the same time,” she said, referring to her three boys. “All I wanted was to be a mom, and I couldn’t do it.” Overwhelmed and exhausted, Harper turned to prayer. “I was praying that the Lord would calm my spirit,” she shared. “I got up off my couch, and I wrote this song.”
In social media posts shared outside the audition, Harper has continued to frame her journey through the lens of faith. She described motherhood not as a burden but as a calling, writing that God reminded her of her purpose while caring for her children in the everyday moments of life. She has encouraged listeners to hear “String Cheese” with open hearts, hoping it would “resonate with your heart.”
Moments like Harper’s remind us why testimonies of faith still matter. In seasons when emotions run low and strength feels gone, God remains near. The comfort of God is good for our souls, steadying us when life feels overwhelming. No matter how dark our current season may be, we can always turn to Him and find rest, hope and quiet assurance that we are not alone.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
