Hello and Goodbye

The hugs and goodbyes have been exchanged...the tears have been dried (at least for the time-being)...and our kids are on their way to their respective colleges.

[Big sigh]

Man, this loving stuff hurts.

A wise friend gently reminded me this morning that these bittersweet goodbyes are one of the joys of "staying." My husband and I have served in our church for 10 years. We've watched so many of these kids grow up. We've done life with their families. As a church body, we've served and worshipped and ministered. We've celebrated milestones and prayed through heart-wrenching trials. Some of the sweetest times in my memory are when we've gathered together, praying through tears for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

So yes, a painful goodbye is representation of love given and received. And I can honestly say that despite the ache in my heart throughout these past days, I am so thankful that God has plugged us into relationships with His family.

And I can further testify that while change hurts, it often brings with it glorious and unexpected blessings.

For as we bid farewell to our dearly loved graduates, we welcome in a new class of 7th graders...namely, our firstborn.

Now how did that happen?

I clearly remember what seems like many years ago when my husband and I spoke of that far-off "someday" when one of our sons would finally be in our youth group. We laughed and brushed it off, somehow believing that day was lifetimes away.

And now it is here.

And once again, my heart smiles in giddy anticipation of all that's to come over these next 6 years of loving and teaching and discipling these amazingly enthusiastic Jr. Highers. It's clear to see...already now...that they have unique leadership skills, and I'm eager to watch them grow in their hunger for God and their desire to make Him known to a lost world.

[I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4]