Fragile

Life is fragile, handle with care. We have all seen this bumper sticker. When someone we love dies we remember how fragile life is. I was reminded of that yesterday as I sat through the funeral of a gentleman I had never met. As I listened to the sermon and eulogy of this man I heard of what a great testimony he was to life. The great marriage he and his wife shared. I began to shed tears for this family for I know what they are going to feel in the months ahead. I know how they are going to miss him around the holidays how nothing is going to be the same. And I thought why can't we treat each other every day the way we would treat folks if we knew today was their last! If they have fears we would try to help them overcome them; if they are sad we try to cheer them up; if they have a burden, we pray with them. Instead we ignore their fears, add to their sadness, and talk about them when they are burdened, wondering what did they do. Life is fragile and its hard to go alone. Thats why He gives us friends. Friends to talk to and confide in when we are afraid. Friends to laugh with when we are sad and friends to pray with and share our burdens.

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

I remember a particular instance of a friend who so willingly cried with me! My problem, my burden- but they made it theirs and that lightened it for me! Christ is like that! He wants to do that for us.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Jesus is the only one who can change your sadness into joy
weakness into strength
and your fear into faith

So instead of life is fragile handle with care, it should be the other bumper sticker we've seen.
Life is fragile handle with prayer!
My Mom used to sing this song:

This world is not my home, I'm just a passin through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beccon me through Heavens open door
and I can't feel at home in this world any more
Oh Lord you know I have no friend but you
If heavens not my home Oh Lord what will I do
Angels have taken me to Heavens open door
and I cant feel at home in this world anymore.

I feel like the angels are calling me to Heavens open door! My home here on earth is looking more temporary than before! It even feels temporary. I know in the blink of an eye that can change! Or even faster than that. As Dean Braxton said, he was in Heaven before the eyelid touched the bottom of his eye! Thats how fragile life is "blinking fragile" . We don't have time to tear people down in our temporary home. We have a full time job just doing for others if we follow Gods word!

Leviticus 20:7,8
Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be hold, for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep my statutes, and perform them. I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

And we don't have to search far away to find those in need. God has placed people in all our lives-we can name them- who needs help. They may need a kind word, a hot meal, a warm coat, 10$, or they may need you to share the bible with them. This is how we need to handle this fragile life, as caretakers- using care and prayer!

Psalm 39:4
Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

Psalm 119:19
I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide your commandments from me.