Dear Reader, I want to share something personal with you.
Many of you know that my husband “changed his residence”, as a friend put it, just more than five years ago. Very suddenly, and without any warning, Frank died the morning of June 5th. I found him in the newly constructed “man cave” in our basement, already in the presence of the Lord he loved. (“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. II Corinthians 5:8) Frank died, as he wished, quickly and I hope without pain. My world changed that day, but for Frank, it was the best day of his life. Frank was not a perfect man, (none of us are!) but he was a good man, and he lived his life well. My memories of him are sweet and tender. Just recently, I found something that has endeared him to me even more.
Recently, a friend shared that she was not familiar with the devotional book, JESUS CALLING, by Sarah Young. I have read it (and reread it) and others by this author, for many years. It was given to me 23 years ago from a dear friend. My friend had inscribed it for me, so I was not willing to share my copy, but I knew there was another one in the house that had belonged to Frank. When I opened Frank’s copy of JESUS CALLING to give my friend, I saw that it was bookmarked on the date of June 5th! My heart skipped a beat when I realized that he had already had a quiet time with God that morning before he died! He had planned to golf with his buddy, Tom, but rain had postponed their outing. His plans had changed for the day, but he was faithful to keep his time with the Lord!
I am reminded on the song, sung beautifully by Steve Green, “Find Us Faithful” “We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road And those who’ve gone before us line the way Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses Let us run the race not only for the prize But as those who’ve gone before us Let us leave to those behind us The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful May the fire of our devotion light their way May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe And the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone And our children sift through all we’ve left behind May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful!
I am so blessed that my life has been greatly shaped by the godly men and women who’ve lived before me. I come from a family of Christian ministers and their wives; my parents and so many others, who have modeled right living to me. Each one holds a special place in my heart. I am convicted to also be the best example of a godly woman that I can be. It is my prayer that others will see Jesus in my life when they sift through what I leave behind. One scripture in the devotion for June 5th in JESUS CALLING is Psalm 37: 3,4 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun”.
Dear Lord, may You find each of us faithful!
I like what you wrote and the Psalm you attached. Psalm 37: 3,4 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun”
Yes, if we trust in Him and get His strength we can be found faithful
Only by His grace and power.
You have my respect big sister!
Prayers for your health!
Danny