Life...

The past 2 weeks have been quite a whirlwind. Ups and downs, highs and lows. I remember going through the some of the days thinking "OK I'm gonna go home and blog about this... and that... and THAT too."

But I always end up NOT doing it. By the time I am home, I'm pretty much beat and/or find myself distracted with other things. So anyway, here I am now. It's probably gonna be a really short post but I will post anyway.

2 Fridays ago, we were about to begin cell at my place when we received a call that a friend's dad had just had a heart attack and was in hospital in critical condition. We stopped what we were doing, worshiped God, and then started praying for him and the entire family. I managed to make a call to another group who also came together and prayed.

On Saturday, I went to visit him in the hospital, prayed for him together with his wife (friend's mum). I was full of faith, of hope...

On Sunday morning, he passed away.

48 hours. Just 2 days. Everything changed.

The following nights were spent going down to the wake to provide support for the friend and her family. People worshiped. Stories were shared. Tears were shed. On Thursday morning last week, a few of us attended the funeral and the burial.

During the wake service on the 2nd night, my friend's brother and cousin went up to share about the life of their father (and uncle). There was barely a dry eye in the place. I was moved to say the least, but my external expression was no where near a true indication of what was going on inside. A whirlwind mix of thought and emotion which I am still trying to make sense of.

I listened to the words they shared. He was an awesome husband, father, uncle, and more. I am certain of it. One look at his wife and children confirms that. Beautiful people.

I was at a loss for words for most of those few days.

In the midst of everything though, I caught a glimpse, just a tiny glimpse, of beauty. The beauty of the bride of Christ, His church. What an amazing thought to know that on the night the news broke, at least 3 different cell groups from the church dropped what they were doing, and came together in prayer, crying out to the God of all comfort and mercy to be with the family in that time. 1 cell even stopped everything, went to the hospital to be with the family.

The church came together. In Love. In Unity. It is moments like these which remind us of how we are part of something much bigger, bigger and greater and more beautiful than just the lives we live.

Acts 2 says that the believers had all things in common and gave to one another as they saw the needs. And this was what I believe I saw. That night, the need was strength, comfort, support. Not just that which us humans could give one another, but that which can only be given by the Almighty, the God of all comfort, and the God who is our solid Rock. So we prayed. Prayed during cell. Prayed even when we went back to our respective homes.

I saw people giving of themselves in whatever way possible to be there for the family in what seemed like their darkest hour. Amidst the darkness, the church of Christ was given an opportunity to shine, shine bright with the love that never fails.

As I reflected on the whole experience, I was left with this thought:
Life, is fragile. Every moment of each day presents us with an opportunity. An opportunity NOT to build our own kingdoms, but a chance to tell someone how much we cherish them; a chance to restore a broken relationship; a chance to show someone else the same Grace that has been shown us. We have the opportunity to bless as we have been blessed; to love with a Love that is not our own.

We can make every moment here count for eternity.

My friend's father isn't here with us anymore. Those few days, however, provided a chance for many people, including me, ESPECIALLY me, to encounter the living God and His unfailing love. The Name above all names was glorified, by the passing of one man. What am I doing with my life?

And this is our Hope...

"When we arrive at eternity's shore
When death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing,
'You're Beautiful'... "
(Beautiful by Phil Wickham)