Saying Goodbye

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Col 3:2

The moving van pulls away as she walks through the house for the last time.  Everything is oddly quiet.  Yet the memories wash over her as she moves from room to room. 

“We brought our babies home to this house.  There were so many happy years here,” she sighs, wiping away a tear.  “I know I'm leaving a big chunk of myself behind.”  Feeling sad and empty, she silently locks the door and walks away.

Saying goodbye is tough.  Kids graduate and move on.  The family buys a different home.  A long time friend moves away.  Even selling an old and trusted car brings sadness.  So many memories are left behind.  But these memories represent our lives.  No wonder we feel lost and alone, like part of us is missing.

It's only human to be attached to people and things.  But when we focus our whole identity there, we're in trouble.  Everything is temporary.  Nothing we can see or hold lasts forever.  Sooner or later we must say goodbye. 

Even the purest of hearts grieves the sadness of loss.  And God doesn't always remove the pain.  When Jesus prayed in the garden, God sent an angel to strengthen him but his anguish wasn't taken away.  It's the same with us.

Do you have a picture of Jesus?  Look at him.  Will he ever move away?  Can you sell him like an old car?  Nope.  He'll never say goodbye, no matter what.  People and things vanish sooner or later.  But he never will.

Struggling with loss?  Find comfort here:

• Accept that loss often brings pain.  Face it with God's mercy.

• Tell a trusted companion how you're feeling.  Share the burden.

• Lay your grief on God's altar.  Watch to see what he does.

Imagine yourself holding a pipeline.  You can either aim it upward to God or sideways toward others.  Someday the sideways communication through the pipe will fail. So remember the one who never leaves.  Connect your pipeline to God and receive his eternal comfort.

© 2006 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf

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"Everything is temporary. Nothing we can see or hold lasts forever. Sooner or later we must say goodbye."