When I thought of saying goodbye to family and friends what I envisioned in my head was me being a snotty, slobbery, freaky-mascara, emotional mess.
We still have several goodbyes to go. So that will probably all still come true.
But we've said some goodbyes already. When Bek and Kev came to Texas at the beginning of January, we got to spend lots of time soaking up their awesomeness. Our kids soaked up time with Bekah and Kevin and still can't figure out why we can't just jump over to North Carolina to "see them real quick."
Prayers were said.
Then the kids were off to bed...and will sleep many many nights before seeing their Uncle Kevin and Aunt Bekah again.
We hugged their necks goodbye around midnight that night, no tears shed, just looking forward to the next time together.
Then last weekend we had some friends from our time at SEBTS visit us from their new home in OK! Waking up in the same home together, emptying the dishwasher together, and polishing off a dozen donuts together brings true friends even closer! right?!
Eden and Lily have been best buds since they were itty bitty. And my awesome friend is too cool for school and bought them matching outfits. They were far too enthusiastic about their time outdoors for a photo shoot...so here's a not-so-great-but-still-cute picture of the girls being all matchy-matchy.
Then on Saturday afternoon, necks were hugged, waves were waved goodbye, and off they drove. Without even a tear shed.
But the beauty of the goodbyes wasn't the missing sobs or the mascara still in place. The beauty of the goodbyes came hours before any goodbyes were said.
Being encouraged, spurred on, admonished, challenged, and above all, prayed over is what made the goodbyes so wonderful. Perhaps what made them tear free. (well, that and the promise that we'll get to see them on the other side of the ocean!) Because saying goodbye to people that are happy to see us go because they want to see us following after what Christ wants for our family, is so encouraging. It makes it easier to go. It makes us want to go.
Goodbyes are still hard. And just because I didn't cry when I hugged my sister's neck, doesn't mean that I haven't since then!
But I praise the Lord for family and friends that eagerly say goodbye to us because they know who we're following.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Goodbyes have Begun
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3 comments:
Well, I cried just reading this... late at night on a long day is not the time for reading about goodbyes. Living in obedience is worth all the tears.
Make them count my friend! We held a big party for all our nearby friends when we left. In the language here they say "Selamat tinggal" to the person who is staying said by the person who is leaving. So instead of a "goodbye" party, we had a "good staying!" party...turned the tables a bit.
Also. I'm a "T"...I only get gushy with spiritual stuff (definitely the Lord at work in me)... but I didn't cry a whole lot either. I was looking forward to all the "hello!"'s I'd be saying. Looking forward to greeting you guys soon!
This past Sunday morning, while I was sitting on the front row of the choir waiting for church to start, this guy walked in. Usually, this isn't that weird except that all I could see was the back of his head and I could have sworn it was Brandon's. My heart skipped a beat. And then I had to count to 20, think about puppies or some other cute and cuddly thing to keep myself from having a complete emotional breakdown while face to face with the Sunday morning crowd of fbcd. (I miss you too sis.)
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