Hi how was your week? Mine was full of ups and downs but with God walking by my side I get through everything life throws at me. What about you? In the last couple of weeks, good-byes have been a part of my life. Whether I am farewelling friends who are moving overseas or grieving with people that have had to say good-bye to loved ones. So how do we say good-bye and continue with that person/s no longer part of our everyday lives.
I want to look at the two different good-byes separately. There is one major difference – one you may see again and the other you may never see again or not until you get to heaven.
Let’s look at the first group- how do you say good-bye to someone leaving your church or your town. For our example, let’s look at the the life of Jacob and when he left his parents.
Genesis 28 verses 1 to 5 is our story. Jacob’s mum Rebekah didn’t want Jacob to marry a local girl. So his father sent him away. But how did he send him – with a promise and a blessing over his life. There would have been tears as well when they sent him but Jacob went out with hope and a promise. There was no final good-bye. There didn’t need to be one as they all hoped to see each other again. Fear did not rule them but opportunity.
We need to send our friends out with the same – a promise and a blessing over their lives. If God calls them to a different path, who am I to argue? My life has been enriched because of the amount of time they were in my life and I hope theirs was too. It is a sad but expectant good-bye.
Let’s look at the next group. Your loved one or a friends loved one has passed away. How do you say good-bye – with extreme difficulty. How did Jesus say good-bye to His disciples before He left. In Acts 1: 4 to 11, we read that Jesus left them with a promise of a comforter, the Holy Spirit. Jesus also sent two angels who had a promise for them – you will see him again. For those who have lost loved ones and you know they have gone to heaven, rejoice in this – they are in your past in your memories, they are not in the now but they are in your future, in heaven waiting for you.
What about if you don’t know where they are? In 2 Corinthians : 3 to 4, we read that God is our comforter in all our tribulations. Just reach out to Him for His comfort. He will see you through. Lean into Him and find your source of strength.
In all these good-byes, tears will flow. It takes time to re-adjust your life but there will come a day when the memories make you smile not cry. Never forget them and never forget the way they touched your life. They are God’s gift to you.
Bless you heaps and keep living the life God intended for you.
Karen
Living the life God intended 