"Life is Fragile...Handle With Prayer..."

The dictionary defines fragile as : easily broken, weak; of delicate constitution, not strong.

Over the last week, the saying "Life is fragile, handle with prayer..." has gained a lot more meaning to me. Last week, we received the horrible news that one of our translators was killed. Another translator was attacked by thieves and injured. A patient was told she could not have surgery because she is pregnant...and wanted to terminate the pregnancy so she could have the surgery...or she would possibly take her life. One of our long term crew members was told they had to go home by the end of the week. Three crew members came down with malaria and another was in an accident. Life is fragile...



I have often pondered the verse: "Since a man's days are already determined, and the number of his months is wholly in Your control, and he cannot pass the bounds of his allotted time — (Job 14:5) AMP. Will we live? Will we die? Will we be in an accident? Will we get some sickness that potentially could kill us? Will we receive some unwanted news that alters our plans? I don't want to sound depressing, but we often get caught up in the thought we will live for a very long time...that tomorrow is guaranteed. But in reality, only God knows how many days we are given. We are given no assurances for tomorrow. We have today...this second, this minute, this hour. Handle with prayer...



It makes me realize:

*There is no time to hold grudges, bitterness, anger, or resentment.
*There is no room in life for unforgiveness.
*To fully love those around me, even if they are hard to love.
*Even if they don't use deodorant, or have not showered for awhile.
*To care for the sick, the wounded, the disfigured.
*To hug someone who may not be perfect in features...who maybe scared from a fire, born with a cleft lip, or have a tumor the size of a baseball on their neck/face.
*To make a difference in another life.
*To make my life in someway count.


A song by christian artist Robin Mark often runs through my mind.


When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?



When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I have done
For love's rewards
Will stand the test of time



Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
That you found purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints



I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and in heaven after
For you've joined me at my true home
When it's all been said and done


You're my life when life is gone.



Life is fragile...handle with prayer...asking God to guide each new day to accomplish His will, His purposes, to His glory. In the end, it is all that counts.