By Jennifer L. Griffith
Betsy approached the Western Wall in Jerusalem clutching a piece of paper in her hand. On it she’d scribbled the names of people she would pray for at the “Wailing Wall.” Betsy knew that “Where two or three are gathered in my [Jesus’] name, I am there in their midst.” [Matt 18:20]. She’d never felt closer to Jesus than on this Epicenter Conference trip to The Holy Land hosted by Joel Rosenberg. With her husband Tracey, she walked the ground of Israel where Jesus walked. They worshiped and sang songs of praise on the Sea of Galilee in boats. She would now petition God at the “Wailing Wall,” the last remnant of the Jerusalem Temple where Jesus had been. It was now a place where Christians and Jews alike gather to petition the Lord God for various needs and supplications. Many Jews pray for the return of their temple. Many Christians supported their supplications, though they also offer up prayers of their own. Prayers are written on pieces of paper and tucked into the wall where mortar once held the stones tightly together.
All of the names on Betsy’s paper were close to her heart, but none closer than “Mom Rudman.” Her mother had suffered two heart attacks, twice revived, and had a pacemaker implant, all since December 2009. Dementia had set in, and her mother experienced insufferable pain. Betsy knew the most complete healing would come when her mother left her earthly body to enter into the presence of the Lord. Mom Rudman was ready to be with Jesus.
Someone had warned Betsy that she would not find room to tuck the paper in the wall due to the sheer number of people who do the same. Yet as she waited for a gap, Betsy noticed that most of the people at the wall stood much shorter than her. Her stature would render her space. When her time came, she put her hand on the wall and prayed, “I’ve never been closer to you, here in your land, where you stood. I ask you to take my mother and relieve her pain. She is ready to be with you, and I beg you to take her today.” Betsy also prayed for her friends, then slipped the paper of names into a crack, high above the others. She leaned into the wall, kissed it, and thanked God for allowing her to pray at such a sacred place.
At 8:15 AM the following morning, May 23, 2011, Betsy’s cell phone rang in Jerusalem. Her sister’s name showed up on the screen of her cell phone. She immediately knew that the prayer for her mother had been answered. “She’s gone, right?” she greeted her sister. “Yes.” Mom Rudman had taken her final breath fifteen minutes earlier. The peace that surpasses all understanding filled Betsy’s heart and mind in Christ Jesus as their bus headed to the Garden Tomb. She shared the answered prayer with the bus of fellow believers. God had heard her prayer at the Wailing Wall. “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam 3:22-23” For Betsy, this was never more true than at this moment. God’s mercy reigned as he took Mom Rudman home, leaving behind a wake of peace and hope and light. 
I finally had a chance to sit down and look at this. Well done Jenifer. As Betsy’s husband of 30 years I am proud of her how and how she worked through this hard transition in step with God every inch of the way. I am proud of you for the way you tell this story – accurate in every detail. May God continue to bless you both and me for knowing you.
Thank you, Tracey. Your words touched me, as did this story. I am honored to pass it on to the readers of Inspire a Fire, and to know both of you as well! You are both blessings in my life!