Dear friends,
Over this past week, I was reminded about the brevity of life as my uncle passed away on Tuesday morning and I was helping my mum with the funeral arrangements. His death was not completely unexpected because he had been sick for quite a while but his situation was stable and he was able to go out and meet friends. So I was surprised when my mum told us the news.
Death often takes us by surprise. We know we will all die someday but death sometimes comes in unexpected ways and times. As I accompanied my parents for the sea burial, I was reminded of Psalm 90.
“Lord, through all the generations
you have been our home!
Before the mountains were born,
before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from beginning to end, you are God.
You turn people back to dust, saying,
“Return to dust, you mortals!”
Seventy years are given to us!
Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
soon they disappear, and we fly away.
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.”
I pray that as we are reminded of the brevity of life, we may all gain a heart of wisdom. May our lives always reflect the love and grace of our God who created and loves us!
Shalom
Pauline