How fleeting can life be?

I received news on 31st December 2010 during vacation in Phuket that a friend's husband whom I know of as well had drown in Bali. I was saddened and shocked by the news... What an end to the year?

We reached Singapore an hour before midnight and was informed that we would extend our help to conduct the funeral wake as the family believe he is a believer as he had attended church for a few years before marriage. At the same time, we were also invited to a new year eve countdown party near our home.

As people were celebrating and declaring Happy New Year, I felt torn with compassion and pain. Yes, I was wishing for a Happy New Year, but as far as I know, this new year would not be happy for the bereaved family.

We help in the wake for three days beginning on new year day. My friend husband was my age, had a beautiful wife, a two years old son and a baby girl due to arrive in April 2011. His parents and siblings adored him as youngest boy in the family. He also had a great career in the banking industry... Alas... Such a short journey on earth ...

I cannot imagine the griefs those who love him must have felt. No words can be expressed well enough as comfort.

Life is fleeting, like what the bible says, man's life is just but a mere breath. Indeed! When the breath is gone, you cease to exist in this earth!

I grieved with the family but I also have hope... Knowing without doubt that God must have His reason for bringing him home.

A non Christian friend asked me this question thereafter "Julie, how do you comfort the bereaved without bringing God in? What words to say if they are non religious?"

Silence... what I said to him really make no sense. I can make sense of it because I believe what Jesus promises.

Life is a journey be it fleeting, be it long. We are told to number our days.

My deepest condolence to the family. I pray Almighty God will reveal His purpose and provide the reason to the living. Amen.