.....next.....

You may have seen this bit of humor making it's way around the Internet:

In my next life, I want to be a bear...

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.

If you're a bear, you birth your children while you're sleeping (who are the size of walnuts) and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs. I could deal with that in a big way.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.  I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup...gonna be a bear!

I admit it sounds tempting -- especially the part about being able to eat and sleep (and growl!).  But for those of us who are Christians, here's something even BETTER than lies ahead.   What could possibly be better than that?

How about a life where there's no more pain and no more heartache?  A family reunion where you're surrounded by people who all have a heart for God.   A place where you don't have to live in fear and suspicion.  A place where all your needs are met.  An eternity in the arms of your heavenly Father.

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:3-5a)

I don't know about you, but in my next life, I don't want to be a bear......I want to be with God!

-alan smith