Life's Little Frustrations

Other people bring us pleasure,

You've often heard I know--

Some bring pleasure when they come

And others when they go!

A Life Well Lived

II Tim. 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

This devotional is dedicated to John Charles Eyster, my husband of 53 years, who breathed his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven on April 16, 2010.

When John and I married, we loved to have fun--to take trips and to go to parties and to have picnics and water ski at the river. We were passionate about Alabama football. Then, in 1971, John attended a luncheon where Billy Graham was the speaker. That day John gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ, and a flame was ignited in his soul that never went out, even though some of our friends predicted he'd soon "get over it." He became even more passionate about his Lord than he was about the Crimson Tide. John fueled that flame constantly with the Word of God, teaching Sunday School for many years. It became as natural for Scripture and Biblical principles to flow from his mouth as pouring water from a pitcher.

John had two outstanding spiritual gifts which he exercised often. The first was the gift of giving. He might drive five miles to find gasoline two cents cheaper per gallon, but he was tremendously generous to the cause of Christ. This tendency occasionally caused some conflict between us, because he would not only give of his possessions but some of my stuff as well, and I wouldn't always like it. He would just grin and call me "Hold Fast."

John also had the gift of showing mercy. When someone was in trouble, he would rush to the scene with a Christian book, a box of barbeque, or whatever else was indicated.

John lived his life all out for Jesus Christ. His was a life well lived. He has not only left us his example but the challenge to live that kind of life as well.

Heavenly Father: Thank you so much for John's example and the many examples of other lives lived well for You. May I be such an example to those who know me. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

As I get older I remember

What my daddy used to say,

"I know I'll ache when I get up--

I just don't know where I'll hurt today!"

Sunday's Coming

Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Tony Campolo tells about being invited to preach at a particular church just before Easter. After he finished his sermon, another guest speaker began his message with the these words, "It was Friday, but Sunday's coming."

What we now call Good Friday seemed to the disciples to be the darkest, most horrible day in human history. It was Friday, and their beloved Jesus was being mocked and humiliated as He was dying in terrible anguish on a cruel Roman cross.

Then it was Saturday, and the disciples had scurried in different directions to escape a fate similar to that of their Master. They were depressed, desolate and devastated, by Friday's turn of events.

But when the sun rose over a tomb filled with empty grave clothes and angel messengers that first Easter morning, the apostles were ecstatic! Sunday had come!

No matter how much pain we suffer on our Fridays nor how discouraged and disheartened we become on our Saturdays, we can remember that Sundays do come, and we can be grateful for all the Sundays God has already sent us. Also we can look up and be hopeful and remember that an eternal Sunday will come one day for all of us who belong to Jesus Christ. We can count on that!

Prayer: Father, help us to remember on the Fridays and Saturdays of our lives that Your glorious Sundays follow and that you have promised that good will come even from our Fridays and Saturdays. Amen.