Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

"Death takes away a person, but death can never take away a relationship." - Morrie Schwartz, from Mitch Albom's 'Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson'

Past three days I have been going down to a funeral wake. A dear pair of brother and sister's grandpa just passed away and so I went along to lend support in anyway i could. Today, 3rd April, was the cremation and along the journey, i witnessed something that spoke deep to my heart.

As the final phase of the funeral procession began, the mini van that carried the coffin was slowly moving out... at that moment, i saw a bubble float by. Typically those kind of bubbles which kids played with. And i only noticed one or two bubbles (though my friend told me she saw quite a lot). I looked around then to idenfiy any kids trying to play prank at such a solemn moment, but couldn't see anyone. So i carried on walking. After rounding a corner and almost 200m away, i then noticed another bubble float by, almost exactly in size as the first on I saw! This one soon landed on my friend's head as she was walking in front of me. I was puzzled... still trying to spot any street kids trying to be funny, but there was no one. I was puzzled because the distance was really far away, why are the bubbles still around? The entourage made another turn and by this time we were almost 400m away from original site and blocked by blocks of flats and a coffeeshop. Guess what i saw again?... Yes.. another bubble! It just floated across my path, rising to the sky.. higher and higher. Suddenly at that moment, the word HOPE was prompted in my heart.

I choose to believe that the bubbles that i saw were God given... that even in the midst of mourning and grief, there is still that HOPE in God! Many of the family members were griefing badly and one could easily recognise the signs of hopelessness written across their faces. But as i looked at my brother and sister.... Yes, they cry, mourn, grief and are sad... because they miss their grandpa and not because of hopelessness. On their faces I see the hope of God in them.. because they know that their grandpa in with the Lord!

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. - Lamentations 3:19-33

What have we placed our hopes in? Studies? .... Relationships? .... Career? .... Money?

All these things are like chasing after the wind, soon the bubble will burst and we may just fall into hopelessnes and despair. But one bubble that will NEVER burst is HOPE in God.