Balloons And Bubbles!

What child does not like balloons? They come in so many colors, sizes and shapes. Children are drawn to balloons, especially those filled with helium. Walking around with a colorful balloon floating above them -- kept from flying away by the string attached to their wrist -- perhaps the child's mind thinks of what it would be like to do a little floating themselves. However, what great disappointment comes when either the balloon pops or it comes lose leaving the child to tearfully watch as it floats out of sight. Even balloons filled only with air are fun for children to bat around a room or yard until they come against some sharp object and the joy is popped along with them.

What child does not like bubbles? Perhaps there is something better about bubbles than balloons. Like balloons, bubbles also float. It is so neat to watch a child's eyes light up at the sight of a large single bubble floating up into the air. There is also great joy in watching multiple bubbles being blown. How delighted children can be running after the bubbles and popping them. Bubbles in the sunlight also have their own beauty as the colors of the rainbow appear. Such color's are God's colors created by the light of His creation. But what is it about bubbles that I would say makes them better than balloons? When the bubbles pop all that's needed is to stick the wand back in the bottle and blow some more!

To which of these might we prefer to compare life? Have we ever had expectations or HOPES pop or drift out of sight? When such happens do we tend to lose our joy along with them? Having felt the upward pull of the HOPE have we found ourselves with a sense of being left empty handed? Perhaps if we think of life in terms of bubbles we can be reminded that when one expectation bursts, we can dip the wand in to BLOW ANOTHER BUBBLE. When situations of life don't appear to be going as planned, we should take another breath and BLOW ANOTHER BUBBLE. As bubbles are blown and begin to ride the breeze, we may not know where they will come to rest or how long they may float about, and such is the way of life experiences here. But it is not over yet. As there are STILL BUBBLES TO BE BLOWN, we can look to God for another day to be lived and other experiences to be encountered with the HOPE of ultimately flying away home to the glory of His eternal realm.

Some things may not have been meant to be. We also need to be reminded from time to time that the things of this realm are only temporary. However, let us not allow that to keep us from finding joy in the next bubble that causes our gaze to again be lifted upward. Life comes to us from God one day, one experience, one situation, one "bubble" at a time. Each new day brings with it NEW HOPE and NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

In spite of the challenges faced by the prophet Jeremiah, he could still say.
"(22) THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES; HIS MERCIES NEVER
COME TO AN END; (23) THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; great is your faithfulness. (24) 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" ( Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV)

Each morning God brings He refills "the bottle" for us to BLOW MORE BUBBLES. Though we may not know how far or for how long each bubble may float, let us keep dipping into God's "bottle" and keep blowing. May we appreciate each bubble for the time it lasts as we allow each one to lift our gaze heavenward to the One in Whom we can place a steadfast HOPE.

Have a great day CONTINUING TO DRAW ENCOURAGEMENT FROM WHAT GOD PROVIDES!
Carl

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