Matthew 5:14, 16 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Daisy Catchings-Shader, the founder of our cherished Umbrella Ministries, a support group for women all over the country who have suffered the loss of a child. This is a fellowship no one wants to belong to, but when I came to my first meeting after the loss of my son, Elisha, on June 19, 2015, I came to realize I was not the only mom who was suffering. I found a safe place that offered me the hope of Heaven and I met hundreds of women just like me who were also on their own grief journey and I knew that I didn’t have to walk alone. Oh, what an incredible legacy Daisy left. Every single time I talked to her, she would always encourage me to keep writing, to keep journaling, to keep reading my Bible, and to continue to look to Jesus.
Matthew 10:42 says, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." The Bible tells us that we are to be the light of the world, that city on hill, a shining beacon for all to see, that cold cup of water to the thirsty, and to come alongside those that are weary and heavy laden. That is exactly what Daisy did for over 30 years as she touched so many lives with healing words, unconditional love, and compassion for hurting and grieving women. Who would have thought that even though she suffered the devastating loss of her son Danny, that God could meet her where she was in that dark place, heal her broken heart, and then turn her tragedy into something so beautiful and amazing, a refuge of hope and strength for all to see.
Isaiah 61:3 says that “those who grieve are to be given a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” What the Lord calls us to do after such a terrible loss does not come naturally. Our instinct is to curl up and pull the covers over our head and ask God to stop the world so we can get off. But I’ll never forget the day I hung up my cross that I wore around my neck that held the ashes of my precious Elisha, the first day that I was able to smile, laugh, and find joy again in my life and especially the day that I was able to enter into worship and truly praise my Lord and Savior at church. Daisy was a beautiful and shining example of someone who had an overflowing heart full of joy and she was forever praising our Lord in her speech and her countenance. When I saw her at conferences and support groups, there was a flame of excitement in anticipation of what the Lord was about to accomplish, and it was contagious. We were incredibly blessed by this remarkable and wonderful lady, and she will be greatly missed. So shines a bright light in a dark and weary world.
-- Melody
