Holiness Hero Sis. Betty Lou Sly

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from West Virginia. We had a great time in Romney with Pastor Bob Jefferys. God met us in every service of revival at Safe Haven Tabernacle! The fellowship with friends was fabulous!

Now we are in Rio, West Virginia. We are having a weekend revival at Kirby Assembly. It is good to make new friends this weekend.

In the past, I have written about several of my Holiness Heroes. I love giving honor to special people. Many of those people do not know how much their lives have impacted those around them. I am thankful that God has placed wonderful men and women of God in my path.

Sis. Betty Lou Sly

One of my Holiness Heroes completed her earthly race last week. Sis. Sly is now home in Heaven. She had been preparing for her Heavenly home for 60 years! God, church and winning others to God were the focus of her life.

Sis. Sly was an incredible lady! We were privileged to call her our friend. Bro. and Sis. Sly loved going to campmeetings. We met them when I was young at a campmeeting. I really can not remember a time that I did not know them. 

I did not talk to Sis. Sly, except when our paths crossed, I knew I had a friend for life. Today I wanted to share a few things that I admire about Sis. Sly.

She was an encourager and a prayer warrior! Her life was a blessing to countless people. Someone said if Betty Lou Sly knew you, she prayed for you. That statement was 100 percent true. It was an honor to be prayed for by such an extraordinary lady!

Sis. Sly was known for making quilts. A few years ago, she gifted us two of her works of art. I love that we have something so precious from our friend.

Supporting Missions was one of Sis. Sly's deepest passions. She did everything she could to support missions! She saved change, sold pens, quilts and whatever she could to help the missionaries.

She was known for saying, "Be Sweet." Many people will miss her admonition to Be Sweet! I want her advice to stay permanently in my heart! Sis. Sly also showed people by example how to be sweet!

We were able to attend her viewing at Bible Holiness church last weekend. I was glad to pay my respects to a wonderful lady of God! Sis. Sly will be greatly missed by her husband, her family, BHC church family and friends! 

Last Saturday afternoon, I virtually attended her memorial service. I smiled, laughed and cried as I watched the beautiful service. My tears were not tears of sadness, but they were tears of joy. Sis. Sly lived her life here to the fullest. 

She lived her life praising God and longing for the day that she could go home. Along the way, she told everybody she could about God. Sis. Sly wanted to help somebody else to know Him too! Her heart's desires are inspiring me today.

There was one special thing that I admired about my friend. She did not allow this life's pain, sickness, and hardships to hinder her love for God! I try to believe God to heal me today and trust Him and praise Him even if that is not his plan for me.

Sis Betty Lou Sly lived that life by example. She did not get bitter at God for not healing her here. Last week Sis. Sly received the ultimate healing! She is now shouting, running and praising our Savior forever. I am anticipating the day we can race down the streets of gold together!

I will close with the words of her favorite scripture. Thanks for visiting with me today.

Odie

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up,
Above mine enemies round about me:
Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice:
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me;
Put not thy servant away in anger:
Thou hast been my help;
Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD,
And lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies:
For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted,
Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD:
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.