No More Goodbyes

Suitcases packed. Airports. Hugs. Kisses. Tears. Hearts…tearing…a p a r t .

Days like today make me long for Heaven when there will be no more goodbyes.

Suitcases packed. Airports. Hugs. Kisses. Tears. Hearts…tearing…a p a r t .

Days like today make me long for Heaven when there will be no more goodbyes.

We said goodbye to my sister and her family today. They are returning to the mission field after an extended furlough. And, although we’ve done this many times through the years, it never gets easier. They love what they do, and we love that the Lord has given them this special calling. But extended goodbyes are not easy.

Oswald Chambers once said, “Obedience to the call of Christ nearly always costs everything to two people – the one who is called, and the one who loves that one.”

Being from a large family, I can say from experience that this obedience “costs everything” to more than just “two people.” It costs each one of us in our own way as we say goodbye to family and brace ourselves for the extended absences we endure on both sides of the ocean. It’s part of life, though, and I would never want to stand in the way of the path God has determined for each of us – those who stay and those who go.

So, what can we do during these times, even in the midst of heartache?

First, realize tears are okay. Our hearts were meant for fellowship and love and relationship. We are blessed to have family (and friends) whom we love and are sad to bid farewell. So take time to cry and mourn the loss even while counting the blessings of knowing that person.

Second, talk with friends. Let others know what’s going on. Your trusted friends will understand why you may not be your cheerful self. They will listen to your heart, hear the pain and be there to support you. One of my friends also finds ways to make me laugh. We need friends to walk with us.

Third, talk with the Lord. The Lord God knows what it was like to say ‘goodbye’ to His Son and send Him to a foreign land. He understands our hearts and is always there to hear what we are going through.

Finally, communicate regularly. In today’s world, it is much easier to stay in contact with those who are physically far away from us. Email and Skype help us keep up with each other’s lives. I confess I’m not as good at this as I should be. I need to learn to send shorter messages more frequently, instead of trying to find time to write a long letter and catch up on everything that has happened since the last time we wrote.

I also find comfort in the following scriptures…

Psalm 121. This is one of our favorite family psalms. We have read it numerous times at our home or at the airport while praying and saying our goodbyes. I especially love where it says, “…the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8). It’s good to remember the bigger picture – God is in control of all our days, our coming and our going – He watches over us always.

Acts 20. We gain a glimpse into Paul’s missionary life on one occasion as he and the Ephesians were saying their goodbyes. They knelt and prayed together, they wept, they hugged and kissed. They grieved, they walked Paul to the ship and finally tore themselves away from each other (Acts 20:36–21:1). It’s comforting to know that others who lived centuries ago experienced the same actions and emotions.

Revelation 21 & 22. John paints a beautiful picture of what Heaven will be like. “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21:3-4). A home in Heaven awaits those who have personally trusted in the Lord for salvation. God designed us for eternal life, to live in unbroken communion with Him. We will be reunited with our loved ones and there will be NO MORE GOODBYES. Hallelujah!!

As I reread these words it strikes me that this could apply as well to our loved ones who have passed away. I lost a dear friend earlier this year and there have been many times I’ve wished I could talk with her. I miss her voice, her laugh, her love, her prayers and her wisdom. She was a true friend. I look forward to seeing her again in Heaven where there will be no more goodbyes. Oh, how that encourages and warms my heart.

Have you experienced a loss recently? I’d love to hear what ideas or Scriptures you hold onto at times like these.