February 10, 2014

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Happy Monday. “May all who come behind us find us faithful.”

These are the words written by Jon Mohr, copyrighted in 1991.

This song became very special to me at the time of my husband’s homegoing.

Last week marked thirteen years since he finished his race. I feel a great void which seems to grow bigger with time.

Some things I miss are these.

1. His sense of humor. I heard his jokes many times in the fifty plus years, yet he made me laugh.

2. His close walk with God, even as a teen boy. Perhaps because his own father left the home while he was young, his Heavenly Father became so real to Him.

3. His care of people. He remembered names and made everyone important.

4. His simple, yet profound preaching. He put the “jelly on the bottom shelf” so anyone could understand.

I loved this poem he often quoted. It challenges me–how about you?

“The Bridge Builder”

An old man, going a lone highwaymedium_11325979345
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide;
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?”

The builder lifted his gray head:
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”
–W.A. Dromgoole

32 thoughts on “February 10, 2014”

  1. Hi Mrs.Hyles! I love you and miss you.My husband and I miss your husband so much.You are great friends to the Miller’s and we will always appreciate what you did for us and our church.Thank you for giving to the Lord all the days of your life.You guys are remarkable!

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  2. Having your mate pass away was always something that happened to other people. When Brother Hyles died my thoughts were about you and how you were doing. My wife and I prayed for you often but were sure that you were smothered with people attending your needs and providing companionship. Last year I lost my sweetheart to cancer. Now I understand a small fraction of what you have been going through. I appriciated your list of things you miss about him. I find myself going through a list of Ella’s most endearing qualities often. I have much more compassion for others who have lost loved ones now that I walk in their shoes.
    “Heaven is is sounding sweeter all the time.”

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  4. Thank you, Mrs. Hyles, for the reminders of my blessed upbringing at First Baptist! I remember singing that song in 2001, as a senior at HB, in Bro. Eddie Lapina’s singing group. I always loved hearing your husband quote that poem too! Happy birthday! I love you, and I enjoy reading your blog! Xo

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  5. Mrs. Hyles, God bless you. Believe it or not, I thought of Brother Hyles earlier today. I found myself wondering what he was doing today in heaven. Silly thought I guess – but that’s what I was thinking! What a wonderful day when we all will get to see him and our other loved ones who have gone on before us. I remember seeing you all those years in the choir and admired your class and grace. I look forward to your comments and know that others enjoy them as much as I do. Once again, God bless.

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  6. Happy birthday, Mrs. Hyles. I am so thankful for your life, your influence, and for your sacrifices. I love reading this blog. Thank you for your willingness to help us now. May the Lord richly bless you.

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  7. Bro Hyles was such an influence in the lives of my husband and me. I am so grateful for that. I am grateful for your faithfulness in standing with him for those years. You are a precious lady, and I pray for God’s blessings on you and comfort at this time of year for you. God bless youl
    Alicemarie

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  8. Mrs. Hyles, I know that this is a very difficult time of year for you. I pray that the Lord gives you a little more grace this week. I can’t believe it has been 13 years since your precious husband went to Heaven. He was very faithful and you have been so faithful throughout all these years. I love and appreciate you very much. Thank you for this wonderful blog. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and God bless you this week…

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  11. First of all Happy B-day! Thank u for posting today reflecting w/ us memories about Bro. Hyles. This poem so reminds me of so many bridges in my life that he was a part of-influence wise. My youth director, my high school teachers, my college teachers all touched by his influence. I have the obligation to do the same for others too! Thank you Mrs. Hyles for your willingness to go with him on that journey-you kept the bridge builder very happy and able to do all of God’s will for his race. Love ya

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  15. Yes, I’ve been thinking of your dear husband, too. We never tired of his stories and laughed every time!! My husband still often retells a “Br. Hyles story” which fits different situations in our lives. We were two of the people who felt special to him, even though we hardly knew him personally. He had that knack. I never tired of hearing him recite this poem either. It’s always a challenge. Thank you so much of this reminder. Our lives are forever changed and enriched by you both!

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  18. Thank you for this post! I have so many wonderful memories of Preacher and I am so grateful for the influence you both had on my life!

    Love, Helen

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  19. Mrs. Hyles I think of you daily but during this time of the year my thoughts turn to the loss of your dear husband. It makes me pray for you even more during the month of February. The poem is my favorite too. I keep a copy of it in my Bible at all times. When Bro. Hyles quoted the poem it always reminded me that much has been given to me by my precious Lord and I have to leave a bridge for those who follow me. My children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. Thank you for being the wonderful example you are to the Gray family. God bless and love love ya lots. Mrs. Lee Ann Gray

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  20. That poem was a blessing. I am two years behind you but would say I agree with the things we miss. My husband’s sense of humor and always looking on the 1/2 full glass. That he cherished me and wanted me to have a good life. I have so many good memories.
    You are always an encouragement to me and heaven gets sweeter as the years are flowing by. God is so good to give me you, a sweet friend, that I miss seeing, but get to enjoy Monday mornings with! I am praying for you. Love, Barby

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  21. Happy 85th Birthday (Feb 14)!! Thank you for your elegance and grace. You are an inspiration and blessing to me. My husband and I have the blessing of overseeing Memory Lane now, and are honored that we get to “see” Bro. Hyles every day and thank him for living his life for the Lord! I love you! Mrs. Becky (Sprunger) Towne

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  22. Dear Sister Hyles, So often I tell the Lord that I miss Bro. Hyles, but I cannot imagine the way you miss him. But before too long the Trump will sound and the shout shall come then we will cross over to meet our loved ones who have gone before us, and our precious Saviour! What a home coming that will be! Thank you for reminding me of our loss of those who have gone before us and our needed faithfulness until we go home. Bro. Johnny Crowson

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  23. We miss Bro. Hyles so much!! God used both of you to make such a difference in our lives. I loved his preaching. This world has gone down hill faster since he left it, I believe!! God bless you, Mrs. Hyles!! Thank you for sharing him with America! He made a difference!

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  24. Thank you, Mrs. Hyles, for your comments this morning. My hubby quoted the poem last night about choosing God’s will and the dimness of the city over the beauty of the gardens and flowers. I loved how Bro. Hyles used to “toss in” poetry in his sermons, and so many of us remember those poems (or parts of them) to this day.

    Thank you for standing by his side faithfully as we wives are all supposed to do to our man! It’s hard to believe so many years have already passed since we saw each other at every service, but it just seems like yesterday. We still love you and appreciate the investment you and Bro. Hyles made in our lives.

    Andrea Murray

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  25. I miss Bro. Hyles too! He was so thoughtful and made everyone feel special. I was remembering last week how he would whistle, “whoot whew” whenever he saw you! Thank you Mrs. Hyles for remaining faithful! Your example has taught me much through the years. I love you! Also, as you celebrate another birthday this week on Valentines Day, we wish you a very happy birthday!!!

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  26. Thank you for your years of faithfulness to your husband. God used you both greatly in my life. By God’s grace I will strive to make your sacrifices and investment worth it for eternity. God bless you!

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  27. Thank you for shareing your heart with us this morning, Mrs. Hyles. Just yesterday I was tallking with my Sunday school class about how much Bro. Hyles loved us and reminded me of Jesus in how He showed His love for others. Bro. Hyles was such a compasionate Pastor. I miss him all the time. I prayed for you this morning. I love you! Tammie Gonzalez

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Welcome. I enjoy hearing from you. Leave a comment, if you would like, and remember to show grace to others with your words. Have a blessed day.