The GOODbye

All of my life I have been extremely close with Mom and while life changes I am thankful that has not. My family was going on vacation and I would not see her for eight days and we usually see each other most days. I dreaded telling her bye the other afternoon but she was so gracious telling me how excited she was for us since she and dad had done this trip. We usually expect to see each other again but we both realize how precious life is. Mom had company so our tears were few but there was a tug at my heart. I was reminded of her telling me how hard it was to tell Dad bye as they got older.

When Paul left the Ephesian elders in Miletus they knew they wouldn’t see each other again on this earth. Acts 20: 38, "What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship." They didn't hide their tears or deny their grief. IT is ok to cry at goodbyes. As believers, we stand in a long line of grievers at a departure but we grieve with hope and knowledge that we have eternal life.

Our deepest sorrow comes when we say goodbye to life on this earth. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14, "...so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." What a reunion this will be! Find the GOOD in goodbye!