Peace, be still: Ray, a man of Faith

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

Oh, Ray, the things you're seeing right now that God prepared for YOU.

Ray Torres went to be with the Lord a few hours ago. I not only was privileged enough to go to church and worship with Ray, but I also got to work with him at my job for two years.

Ray came down with cancer a few months ago. He is a fighter but for whatever reason it may be, the Lord wanted Ray to come to Heaven to be with him.

When I worked with Ray, I got to see a man who lived it. I mean, he lived Christ-like on the job, and I worked with him for a whole two years. I watched some customers be short with him, and him keep a smile on his face and never lose his cool. I never saw him get angry. Only kindness came out of Ray. Not too many people can I recall that being the case.

When I was pregnant with Raylea, I had horrible morning sickness, (which lasted all day.) I was having to leave work once and he stopped me before I left and asked if he could pray for me. It was a large business we worked at, and there were people standing all around. He didn't care one ounce. He asked a few people that he knew were Christians as well to join him. It meant so much to me that a man cared about me just being upset at my stomach!

Another time at work, it was closing hour and since he was the manager he had to wait until I had everything put up. A horrible storm rolled in and we got stuck there! I have never owned a "fancy" car, but I have always cared for and taken much pride in whatever vehicle I was driving! I had a little Honda car that had liability insurance on it and baseball size hail was pounding everywhere outside. Ray's vehicle, along with all the other company cars were able to fit into the garage, but mine was left outside in the middle of the parking lot. I was so upset because I knew my car would be ruined and probably windows smashed. Street signs were even flying in the air! Ray said real calm, yet boldly, "Well, let's just pray and ask God to protect it." I am sure my eyes got big as I looked at him in shock. I definitely wasn't having faith in that moment as I watched my car being pounded, and at that point we had to get away from the windows because we were worried it may break. So, Ray prayed. I can't remember if I prayed or not, but I knew regardless of what I prayed, my car would be totaled!

The storm eventually passed and we walked outside. I stood in shock as me and Ray walked around my car looking for just a SINGLE dent. A single mark! NOTHING! Houses all over South Wichita had to have their siding and roofs completely replaced because damage was so bad. It was Ray's prayer of faith that saved my car that day!

He wasn't amazed at all and just kept laughing at me because I was in SO much shock! That situation increased my faith!

Ray has always been very good to mine and Grant's kids. Raylea has called him "Mr.Ray" for as long as she could talk and he always met her before or after service at church to give her a jolly rancher or whatever candy he had brought for her that day. Today when I told her he went to Heaven, she wanted to put on the gold boots he got for her 4th birthday. At Jack's first birthday party, Garrett, my brother in law, had brought his horse down to the barn where the party was held. While Jack was opening his gifts, Ray came in the barn on top of the horse! It was a good laugh we all had!

I could tell many stories of how Ray has been good and kind to me, Grant and my kids. So could anyone else who knew him.

Ray was one of my very good buddies and I miss him so much already.

A few weeks ago when Grant and I got in from a vacation, Ray was doing bad at the hospital, so we went to see him before heading on home. I stood over him and cried and cried. Grant sang to him as we held his hands, "What a day that will be." Ray had the sweetest grin on his face the whole time.

And what a DAY, TODAY IS!

I hugged him tight and he said, "I love you, Hanny." He always called me that.

Here is Raylea today, right after she put her boots on that Ray got her last October.