Get Closer So I Can Hear You Better

I loved to hear her pray. But it wasn't often that I could hear her.

She prayed a lot. She prayed all of the time. I just couldn't hear her. She was a beautiful little woman with a very soft voice. She was one of the church's Elders. She was one of the church's greatest prayers. And she was my friend who prayed for me every day.

Cathy was one of those special people who knew God well, loved people deeply and completely, was a great wife and mother and was a poster child for what a Christian should look like and act like. To know her was to love her. Of all of her amazing qualities one of the best was her sweet, soft voice. And when Cathy prayed, her voice became even sweeter and softer. Praying with Cathy was always a wonderful experience of being in the presence of God.

I also had the opportunity of praying for Cathy. She spent several years battling cancer; taking treatments and praying and continuing to live a full and meaningful life. There must have been over a thousand people who prayed for Cathy over the years as she battled cancer. But I was one of a few who was privileged to hold her hands and intervene with God on her behalf. Without fail, when I prayed for Cathy, Cathy prayed for me. It was important to her to have her pastor's needs, ministry, family and health prayed for. She was an absolute treasure – as a church leader, as a church member and as a friend. I pray every day, "Lord send me more Cathys."

From my use of the past tense, you have probably sensed that Cathy lost her battle with cancer. Cathy died but she never lost a battle to anything. She was a fighter and she was a winner. Life wasn't always easy for her, but she took what came, learned from her experiences and worked to make life good. She married her first and only love, Carl, who unabashedly pretty much worshiped the ground she walked on. They were a team that built for themselves and their children a great life. Cathy helped keep the family centered on Christ and Carl made sure that they were exceptionally well cared for. Together Carl and Cathy reared three exceptional children who grew up to be outstanding adults. Cathy invested her life well. She didn't garner much fame or fortune but she was drenched in love. She lived her life in the presence of God surrounded by people who loved her dearly. It was a great life. She is missed.

When a godly person dies I often hear things like, "God must have needed another angel" or "I guess God needed her in heaven more than we needed her here on earth." What a bunch of misguided spiritual bull roar. God doesn't need anybody or any thing. But I must admit that it has crossed my mind that when God greeted Cathy He might have said, "Sit with me. Now that you are closer perhaps I can hear you better."

I can hardly wait until I get to pray again with Cathy.

Copyright © 2009, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved