Solomon said, "The day of death is better than the day of one's birth"

Sad times teach us about our condition of life more than our happy times. Funerals force us to reflect on the serious matters of life. In the death of our loved ones we see it as a reality that interrupts our dreams and brings us back to earth. It reinforms us that life has limits and causes us to consider both God and our human family more seriously, and most of all, it points us to the real hope that believers have in the reality that lies beyond this world and it's vail of tears. Maybe this is the reason Solomon said, "The day of death is better than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4). By this I do not believe it is wrong to laugh and be happy, but consider that life is not a party all the time where we should not be aware of the fact that it will end. Death stops us in our tracks and reveals to us what is the most important thing in our life and that is "God". At death, the family and friends have memories which may be good and sometimes bad. Someone else will drive your car, live in your house, spend your money, take your place at the job, but what will you have? "As a tree falleth, so shall it also lie". Don't get swept up into this party seeking generation that you forget God and His word. He meant what He said, "My word shall not pass away". kbm