Goodbyes

Most of us dislike goodbyes.

Last night some of my dearest friends gathered to say goodbye to a servant of God who has touched each of us very deeply. It was a teary, laughter filled evening. Filled with a gut-wrenching realization that this is reality.

Many of us had tried denial for as long as we possibly could. But the undeniable fact remained. God had answered our prayers and provided a job for this family. It's just that the job wasn't near us. The job required a major move.

Early on in the planning for last night, I determined that it wasn't going to be a sad thing, just an honoring thing. That planned failed, because it can't be both. I hadn't fully realized that until after the fact.

God is good and He graciously brought this person into our lives, "a gift". He allowed us to be blessed by her abilities, talents, humor and family for far longer than we deserved, and now He has called and South Dakota will become the beneficiary of this beautiful display of a heart that pursues Him.

I still cant' fully come to the realization that I won't have her in my life close by, but I have realized beautifully that goodbyes are part of a fallen world. I can cry over that.

Trent and his Worldview crew had to bid farewell to one of the faculty families last night. It was difficult. This morning a surprising gift that God had for me were the words of Sarah, one of the members of the team as she recorded her own thoughts and feelings regarding that goodbye. God allowed me to read Sarah's post and expand my vision for goodbyes, acknowledging the blessing tied up in the tears and the increased longing placed in each of us for heaven.


 "Dell tells students every week that laughing and crying is a response to irony - something that doesn't match what reality ought to be. My response to the irony of goodbyes and all the crying is that I'm gonna fight it, stop blubbering, and accept reality for what it is. I even tried to get Lauren Cook to stop crying at one point tonight, and I wiped away her tears with my thumbs.

Then it hit me. Don't stop crying! Cry hard. The goodbye is painful. It should be! This is good. Don't accept reality for what it is. "Goodbyes aren't normal." Don't be ashamed of the tears! They are salty, watery proof of the gift God has given us - friendship and family - and maybe the only way that I can truly say thank you and express the piercing brokeness of my heart is to let the tears flow. Maybe God rejoices when I keep my hand from brushing away the tear."

So this morning I am thanking God for the gift.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.