Among my personal friends, the most glorious song of 2021 belongs to Pat Bailey. I am confident this is true though I have not yet heard the song. It is true because Pat is singing before the Father’s throne, singing with her Savior and a choir of angels. Pat died of COVID-19 in January. Those of us who love her (and there are many) will miss her, but I could only rejoice when I heard the news – rejoice with my elder sister for the wonder, the consolation, the rapture she knows now that her faith has become sight, sound and touch.
Our Father must hold a special place in His heart for His daughters who learned to sing their songs on earth. Pat was such a woman. Her song was a victory song – victory in Jesus over depression, prescription drug abuse, loneliness. Victory over jealousy and bitterness. Victory over broken relationships.
Pat was a warrior and an old-school preacher. She had a song she never tired of singing to younger generations. “Ladies,” she would exhort us, “you have to fight the devil! Resist the devil and he will flee!” Then she would call a whole room full of women to their feet so they could practice “stomping on the devil.” Pat taught us that resisting the devil was a matter “taking captive every thought to the obedience of Christ.” She understood that capturing thoughts is not an abstract or passive form of warfare. It sometimes requires physical action like singing, shouting, dancing, even stomping. Resisting the Accuser requires the engagement of one’s whole being – spirit, mind and body. This is a lesson I have passed on to my daughter. Most nights before we go to bed, we spend some time “stomping on the devil.” I am grateful to Pat for teaching me this practice.
I came to know Pat while serving alongside her as a spiritual director for Tres Dias. We were kindred spirits with different personalities. We loved to sing together, harmonizing with one another. After she led her military march, I would respond with themes of Christ’s peace. When I sang a call to repentance and she would chime in with stories of the Father’s healing mercy. We made a fine duo.
The last time I spoke to Pat was in August of 2020. I called to speak with her about a pastoral letter she had written in which she recounted a dream. In the dream, Pat saw a large crowd of zombie-like people wandering in the street. They were aimless, despairing, and potentially violent. Pat felt a gloom and hopelessness envelop her until she remembered to resist the devil. In the dream she suddenly knew what to do. She started singing an old hymn at the top of her lungs
“There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb.
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.”
Pat felt this dream was a call to the Church in these dark days to proclaim the power of Christ’s blood over every evil we encounter. I believe she is singing this song still in music too sublime for human ears.
Here is a more homey version of the song which I think Pat would enjoy. These are her people from her home state.