Kathryn Booth

Death of a hero – much too soon.

We were saddened to hear today about the passing of Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty, from Tulsa OK. Several of my children attended school with his and I’ve personally followed his ministry and watched his life, marriage and family for many years.
That he passed on after a long battle with cancer, leaving a large family and young children is distinctly and instinctively known in our hearts to be untimely and destructive.
We took some time this evening to say a prayer for his family and his church family there in Tulsa and all over the world.

Questions are raised: “How could this happen, how could he have a healing focused ministry and die like this, how could he die leaving so much undone, children not grown, a beloved wife who is so dear”?

And others…“Did he do something wrong, did he not do something, could people have prayed harder, better vitamins, and so on”? These are buzzing in people’s minds, their talk and their internet postings.

What is unsaid is my concern – for my family, for so many others…“Could this happen to me, to my family, could my life and work be cut short before I ‘finish’, what if I’m not doing/saying/praying enough, what if I am doing/saying/praying the ‘wrong’ things, if this could happen to someone so strong and so beloved”?
This is destructive, pointless and removes the focus from what he displayed in his everyday life, his ministry and his teaching: God’s love, God’s grace and healing – Knowing that every breath we take, every day we are on this Earth and every new chance we have to make a difference in the world – to live, to love, to laugh – are an unmerited gift, don’t come with a guaranteed timeline and are to be treasured and enjoyed.

My heart aches and my prayers are with Sharon, the children and all his church family and beloved friends.

My determination is to replace fear with love and compassion, to douse judgment and criticism with words of life and peace, to annihilate despair, doubt and discouragement and misplaced anger that his work was cut short with a better perspective and action.

He lived his life with honor – as a husband, as a father, as a pastor, as a friend and mentor.
He worked to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s great love for all of us.

So while there is work yet to be done – we choose to step up and into what part we each have the opportunity and ability to impact.

We will shine a light of grace and love on every shadow of loss, pain and death.

And we will reach out to his family – now and in the days to come – with love and service and words of kindness.
If you don’t know what to say…”I’m sorry. I love you.” is ALWAYS better than waiting until you have something better or for a better time.

Love early, love often – laugh early, laugh often and living well is the best way to combat what we don’t need to understand or have a reason to explain.

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