January 29, 2008

Number 4

VIEWPOINT

“I told you I was sick!”  Those words were the substance of Richard Smith’s long-standing joke about his beloved wife Joyce.  He frequently enjoyed explaining how that would be the perfect epitaph for her headstone when she passed away.

It was quite true that Joyce had many illnesses and ailments.  She suffered from lupus for many years without a correct diagnosis; then it took a long time to bring the condition under control.  She often endured long stays in the hospital; one year the duration exceeded 300 days of total hospital time.  Three different times we were called to the hospital with urgency at the expectation that “Joyce isn’t going to make it this time.”

Even though her suffering was enduring, Joyce had a personality that was endearing.  She was the very personification of perseverance.  Her smile rarely left her face. She experienced a joy that was rooted in Christ’s presence in her heart, rather than influenced by her circumstances.  She just simply refused to let any obstacle get her down!  People who came to encourage her often left their visit encouraged by Joyce. 

She loved her family deeply, graciously and unconditionally.  When you visited Joyce, you automatically received a description of everything all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were doing. 

She was always interested in the people at church and also the work of the church.  She always wanted to know specifically when Harvey  Starling  was coming to Cedar Grove; she usually stated, “I have money put aside for Harvey.”

Finally, however, a physical hurdle arrived that Joyce couldn’t overcome.  That’s when her spiritual victory was won!  For just as a worn out piece of machinery is replaced or threadbare clothing is discarded, Joyce’s worn out body was put aside to be replaced by a glorious spiritual body.  “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Cor. 5:1).

We also take hope in the promise of this scripture:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54).

--------------

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word! RA

LOOK

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

(Psalm 105:4)

LOOK AT GOD’S CREATION.  “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:26, 27).

LOOK FOR GOD’S SALVATION.  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

LOOK TO OUR SAVIOR.  “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

LOOK INTO GOD’S PERFECT LAW.  “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

LOOK FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST.  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

— by Robert H. Martin