Life is Fragile . . . Notes on John Cerutti

On the last weekend of this past baseball season I was shocked to hear that former Blue Jay pitcher John Cerutti had passed away in his sleep in a Toronto hotel. John and I had chatted on Friday evening at Skydome and, as always, he was cordial and classy . . . a fine man. He was always genuinely glad to see me. Little did I know that I would never speak with him again.


My friend, John Cerutti


I was back at the ballpark the next day as we conducted our year-end chapels for the Yankees and Blue Jays on Saturday rather than on Sunday. Each year I prepare "thank you" cards for security personnel, ushers, players, broadcasters, etc. expressing gratitude for their help and encouragement during the season. One of those cards was for John Cerutti. I didn't see John on Saturday and was unable to hand-deliver his note. When I returned home on Wednesday evening from our Hockey Ministries staff conference north of Montreal I opened John's card to see what I had written. Here's what it said, "John, thanks again for being such a 'class' guy, a good friend and a great broadcaster! It's always a blessing to see you! Have a great off-season! Sincerely, David".

There will be no "off-season" for John Cerutti. We never know when we will be suddenly ushered into eternity. Life is so uncertain! Our prayer should be like the psalmist's, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12 (KJV) Let's take every opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those we meet. We never know when that "last opportunity" will take place. Let's make sure that we have made arrangements for our final destiny. Are you ready to meet your Creator should He call you tonight? Have you committed your life to Him, accepting His forgiveness and His salvation?