Anyone who knew Catherine knew she was full of life, joy, and kindness. She would light up a room with her smile. The Y was her second home, always participating in senior events and group exercise classes. You couldn’t help but see Catherine’s love for the superhero Wonder Woman. Many had given her Wonder Woman T-shirts or hats and she wore them proudly.
Catherine was so much a part of our lives there at Harvey Najim Y that we couldn’t possibly imagine life without her. Until we had to imagine life without her. Catherine unexpectedly passed away last week. She was an integral part of our Y family and we are mourning her loss. Catherine died unexpectedly last week.
What most didn’t know was that Catherine had a very tough life. At one point in her youth, she and her family were homeless. Catherine lived a simple life. She had very little. But you wouldn’t know it, because she was always talking about what she DID have. She had joy, her Y family, her church, her serving opportunities, her library and her Y group classes. You would never see her speaking poorly of someone else, gossiping or slandering. Catherine would notice things others didn’t see, like a bird or butterfly, simply because they were God’s creation. If you were looking to connect with a mover and shaker, you’d completely miss Catherine. Many people passed Catherine by.
God didn’t pass Catherine by. Catherine knew Jesus and is now experiencing seeing Him face to face. I think Jesus must have loved Catherine’s childlike, loving, and simple life.
Jesus lived a simple life too. Because he lived a simple life, He was able to focus on what mattered most. He wants us to know that we don’t need all thing things or experiences that we do. Jesus wants us to know that He doesn’t see the rich and important people any different than He sees those who are poor and seemingly unimportant.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes in the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook “Jesus teaches us that freedom is not found in having and doing but in keeping God and his will first in our heart. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus wants us to know that we don’t need all the things or experiences we think we do. What we really need is to keep first things first- Jesus and his kingdom. Life becomes much more simple when one thing matters most.”
How much of your identity is wrapped up in what you own, where you go, who you know, and who you are? What “Catherines” might you miss seeing simply because they may not be “that important?” Catherine taught me a lot in life. Maybe you as well.
‘Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.” (Philippians 4:11-12, The Message)
What most didn’t know was that Catherine had a very tough life. At one point in her youth, she and her family were homeless. Catherine lived a simple life. She had very little. But you wouldn’t know it, because she was always talking about what she DID have. She had joy, her Y family, her church, her serving opportunities, her library and her Y group classes. You would never see her speaking poorly of someone else, gossiping or slandering. Catherine would notice things others didn’t see, like a bird or butterfly, simply because they were God’s creation. If you were looking to connect with a mover and shaker, you’d completely miss Catherine. Many people passed Catherine by.
God didn’t pass Catherine by. Catherine knew Jesus and is now experiencing seeing Him face to face. I think Jesus must have loved Catherine’s childlike, loving, and simple life.
Jesus lived a simple life too. Because he lived a simple life, He was able to focus on what mattered most. He wants us to know that we don’t need all thing things or experiences that we do. Jesus wants us to know that He doesn’t see the rich and important people any different than He sees those who are poor and seemingly unimportant.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes in the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook “Jesus teaches us that freedom is not found in having and doing but in keeping God and his will first in our heart. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus wants us to know that we don’t need all the things or experiences we think we do. What we really need is to keep first things first- Jesus and his kingdom. Life becomes much more simple when one thing matters most.”
How much of your identity is wrapped up in what you own, where you go, who you know, and who you are? What “Catherines” might you miss seeing simply because they may not be “that important?” Catherine taught me a lot in life. Maybe you as well.
‘Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.” (Philippians 4:11-12, The Message)
Take a listen: Living Hope by Phil Wickham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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