Last Thursday, January 15, 2010, my friend Betsy Key went home. She left the confines of her wheelchair and experienced the profound freedom that the presence of God will allow each and every one of us when we choose Him. There are some things that Betsy taught me and I don’t think she even realized she was teaching. If you knew her, you can probably say the same.
Betsy taught me that no matter what hardship you are faced with, it’s better to keep your focus on others rather than yourself. I never knew her to complain of her physical limitations, although I think she must have experienced extreme frustration from time to time. She always wanted to know how I was doing and how she could pray for me. With Betsy, if she said she would pray for you, you could count on it 100%. She was a dynamic prayer warrior.
I remember a time when we went through an evangelism training and it was my turn to complete the training with an oral presentation of the gospel and my testimony. I was in such a state that it was all I could do to breathe in and out, but just as I went into the exam room, there was Betsy, encouraging me and telling me she would stay right there and pray until I came out. I came out and there she was, in prayer.
We both shared the same first name and our birthdays were only 3 days apart. Instant connection. When we e-mailed each other, we would sign off “the other one” rather than our name. Well now the other one has gone on ahead of me and I cherish the time she was here with us and rejoice that she is now free from the chains of a wheelchair. Maybe she was physically bound, but she was always spiritually free, because she was an overcomer. The ran her race the best she could, she relied on the guidance of her Lord and His ever-present help in times of trouble. She never stopped loving Him, she never quit. She new something better was waiting on her, something Jesus had promised He would prepare for her. Now she is receiving her inheritance and I feel a sense of joy and completion for her. Betsy lost her father at a young age and she had a sister that also died young. Now they are reunited, as we all will be, those of us who are overcomers like Betsy.
I was thinking of Transfiguration Sunday coming up and doing some study about Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). All this as I was mourning the loss of Betsy. Scripture says that Jesus was transformed radiant white, glowing white, hard to look upon white – dazzeling as the NIV states. Betsy is in a glorified state now. Through this scripture we can get a glimpse of what it will be like for us in heaven where the old is no more and we are in our eternal state. Further on in verse 4 we are told that Moses and Elijah appeared. Now we see from that that we won’t have any trouble recognizing anyone in heaven. Peter James and John knew who these men were without any introduction! We will need no introductions either! We will instantly know those who have gone on before us! Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Betsy, as she broke the bounds of earth and with legs that worked ran to meet Jesus, she recognized her dad and sister and all those great cloud of witnesses that have cheered her on these past 46 years of her earthly life! I take heart in these thoughts, I hope you do too. I also hope you are an overcomer in every sense of what that means to us as Christ followers. If you aren’t, I pray that you will be drawn to our heavenly Father, that you feel the great need to repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. We don’t know when or how, but we are all destined for eternity. Where we spend it is our choice. With my whole heart I know what Betsy’s choice was and I know that I will one day see her again. That humbles me and takes me to my knees thanking my God for His mercy and grace.
Until I get there, Betsy I know that you are now a part of that great cloud of witnesses cheering us on – all of us who have known you, worshipped with you and been part of the family of God with you. I think I can hear your words of encouragement and cheering now……………
Love,
the other one
Your memorial comments for Betsy are wonderful. Thank you for your eloquent words. Betsy is definitely all aglow in the love of Jesus Christ! She’s smiling at us (if she has time!)
Thank you for expressing what we all felt about Betsy. She was a friend that we will remember always. While she is rejoicing we will continue to mourn our loss. What a blessing to have known her.
To “the other one”,
This is beautiful. I already miss my friend, but I realize that I am being selfish. She is happy and dancing right now. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady and friend.
I remember an afternoon when Jenna was rehearsing a liturgical dance for “My Redeemer Lives!”. I went to the library where Betsy was folding bulletins and asked her to come in and critique the dance. We went into the fellowship hall and I played the Cd and Jenna danced….. when it was over, it was silent….I looked at Betsy and she had tears streaming down her face and she said “That is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” We all hugged and had a moment of worship. It was precious. I know that Betsy is seeing so much More and is dancing herself right now.
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
– Psalm 30:11-12