Whenever I hear the song, I Never Lost My Praise by Tramaine Hawkins, I think of her. On May 15, 2009, I sat in a pew in a place that felt like home. And I mourned with people who felt like family. But on that day, the pew felt firmer than usual, and the people seemed more reserved than I recalled from times before. We had lost something (and someone), and it was noticeable; no one could ignore it.   

As an 18-year-old young woman, I looked up at a screen that led me through portraits of her time on earth. I wasn’t sure if it was the legacy of her life, the lyrics of the song, or a combination of both, that stirred heavy emotion in me. But I was moved. 

It’s been over ten years since the homegoing service for Sis. Carrie Sue Williams. But right now, May 15, 2009, feels like it was just here yesterday. Sis. Williams was the wife of the first pastor I ever knew, Dr. Ephraim Williams. In May of 2009, after a battle with cancer, she entered her eternal rest.

I don’t recall having a meal with Sis. Williams, I have no memories of conversations with her over the phone, I didn’t spend time with her in her home, and I don’t know about the private prayers she had with Jesus or struggles she had to lay at His feet. But I was privileged to be able to watch her life in snippets. And from what I could see, she lived well. She lived with grace, elegance, and praise…even in suffering and up until the last days of her life.

Life has slowed down a bit lately. I’ve made some time to sit and be with Jesus. I put together a playlist on Spotify and named it “Just Worship“, because that’s where my heart has lately, just longing for Him. I didn’t expect in this time of worship that Jesus would bring me back to that pew. The song by Tramaine Hawkins isn’t on my playlist, but in the silence, it came to my remembrance. I didn’t imagine that I’d be reflecting on the life of Sis. Williams, but I’m glad I ended up there. 

As I think about Sis. Williams this is what comes to mind:

1. No matter what, hold on to your praise. Don’t ever let it go.  
2.  When you live a life of praise, generations who follow you will reflect on your life as they grow and develop on their own.
3. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Just plant the seed, live your life and be obedient to God.
4. You can’t grasp the extent of your audience. Only God knows who is watching.
5. Life moves quickly, so remember to say thank you.

Thank you, Sis. Carrie Sue Williams. And thank you to all the women who have lived
well before you and me.

With all we are living through today, if Sis. Carrie Sue Williams could say anything to us, I think she would borrow lyrics from Tramaine Hawkins song and tell us:

Praise Him through your disappointments.

Praise Him through your tears.

Don’t lose your hope.

Don’t lose your joy. 

Don’t lose your faith. 

But most of all, don’t lose your praise.

Keep your praise. Hold on to it. Better days are coming.