Oh, how I hate goodbyes.
That quote in the title of this post was made famous by a certain P. Sawyer in One Tree Hill, and I've found it's true.
And the human side of me hates it. Really, desperately hates it. If only you could see me the 12 hours after I say significant goodbyes, you'd understand how deep my hatred for them truly runs.
Last week as I realized the impending departure of a good friend was drawing close, I started thinking about all the goodbyes I've said - some to friends graduating, others to those choosing to attend different colleges, and even more to friends getting new jobs. Right now alone I keep in pretty close contact with friends in California, Missouri, Florida, Arizona, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Maryland, and Kenya. Uh, yeah, long-distance don't got nothin' on me.
Then I began to think about the farewells I'm going to have to say to people in the future. More graduations. More moving. More new jobs. Yay. But immediately I realized what those goodbyes represent. Adventure. Exploration. New friends. More memories. Growing up. Fulfillment. Roadtrips resulting in free housing in new places. Knowledge of culture. Risk. Reward. And my favorite - ministry.
The hardest goodbyes I have ever said were because God was up to something much greater. When my parents made me switch schools in 6th grade. When the guy I thought I loved in high school stopped pursuing me. When I left my wonderful, comfortable life to go to Milligan. When I finished my internship at Mountain. When my magical month in Europe came to an end. When friends moved away.
In each of those situations the opportunity for great ministry was born. In my new school I met new friends who helped me fall in love with Jesus. Through the heartbreak I began to lean on Him in a whole new way. My journey to Tennessee continued the preparation for vocational ministry and gave me countless chances to love new people like Jesus loves them. Then I headed up north to a place that allowed me to pour into the lives of children and made my future path clearer. And then I gave a piece of my heart away to a continent - yes, a continent.
But recently the time has arrived for me to stay and for others to go. And, frankly, that's just not as fun.
Oh, but it is.
Risk. Adventure. Memories. Ministry.
I have some incredible friends, and I know that every time one of them spreads their shaking wings and trusts God, He'll swoop them where His name will be most magnified. So, God, if You have something so much better in store for my friends, then take them away.
Oh, how I love goodbyes.
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21
Love you and love this! Goodbyes may be hard, but there is always a see at later! You know you always have a place to stay when you need to get away to Florida:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, friend! I hate goodbyes, too but you're right. My goodbyes have been people taking on new adventures and even people finally going to meet Jesus. Your words are very encouraging!!
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