I’m moving in a week. And while some goodbyes I’m looking forward to, there are others I am dreading.
Happy goodbyes: Goodbye, homework. Goodbye, grading. Goodbye to being in a different time zone than my mother.
Sad goodbyes: Goodbye, sweet friends. Goodbye, mountains. Goodbye, no humidity (my hair is the most sad about this).
In all seriousness, I have been reminded of the importance of goodbye in life because it truly is a necessary life skill. The title was inspired by Keith Moore, Beth Moore’s husband. I can’t remember where or when I heard it but it has stayed with me many years now. As I sat in the place that my heart always reawakens, Hughes Auditorium at Asbury University, where Holiness stares you in the face and beckons you toward more, I realized how goodbye never gets easier, but it truly is necessary. But at the right time. The baccalaureate speaker talked of departure (the meaning of baccalaureate, a farewell speech) and how one must depart from something in order to begin something new. I thought about the many times in my life that I have wanted to stay, to not depart.
When I left for Colorado, I begged my parents to let me stay home. I’m glad that they didn’t. The things I have learned about myself I didn’t learn at Asbury and the growing up I have done have shown me my fears of living on my own were somewhat in vain.
When I graduated from Asbury, as many of my dear friends like to remind me, I was so eager to be gone. I was ready to go and explore the world. And every time I visit Asbury, I wonder why I ever wanted to leave. But I as strolled down Jewell Walk this past Saturday, I remembered the reason I love Asbury so much, the reason my heart feels at home there, is because of the people who are connected to my heart are all connected to that place. We may be in the same town or on different sides of the globe, but our love for each other never changes, never goes unnoticed. I always find a sense of peace there because it reminds me of who God has called me to be; of the woman He has created and the things she is passionate about; of the many people my heart loves and who love my heart; of the people who have poured into me and I into them — this is why I love Asbury.
As I watched some of the people who my heart loves graduate this weekend, I was reminded of the goodbyes I said two years ago to all my classmates and friends. I think about how quickly two years have passed and how many faces I said goodbye to so long ago. But goodbye was necessary. We all had journeys to set out on; lessons to learn.
And what I’m slowly learning and realizing is, at least for those whose hearts belong to Jesus, goodbye is not forever. There are Asburians I may never see again in this life, but I hold to the hope that I will see them again one day. And we will never have to say goodbye again.
I’m no stranger to goodbye. I’ve moved many times in my life. I’ve had to start over with friends, learn new places. And I know that I will have to do that on The Race. I’m going to fall in love with people and places and those four weeks I get to spend with them will not be nearly long enough. But I am eager to leave those places with new faces joining the multitude of heaven that I will one day see again.
As I pack to move this week, I prepare for some of the hard goodbyes, to Beth and Daniella my favorite baby and dear, dear friend; to Katie my former roomie and close heart friend; to Chase and Natalie, without whom I wouldn’t have made it through grad school; to Wade and Tosha who were the only reasons I stuck it out at the college of business when things got tough; and so many other people who have impacted my life. Even as I write this, I see so many faces I am going to miss.
Anyway, back to the baccalaureate speaker – As he finished talking about departures, he spoke also of the word commencement, the time when something begins. As I watched Asbury’s commencement and prepare for my own CSU commencement this week, I am excited about the time when something begins. I am excited about what the next seven months are going to teach me about trusting the Lord, particularly with finances. I’m excited about living at home and spending some quality time with my parents. I’m excited to grow closer to my new world race friends as we all gear up (pun intended) for our trip next year. But mostly I’m excited to be prepared on this short journey for the 11 months of complete and total abandonment next year. The time when something begins.
As I say my goodbyes, I’m going to think of them as a new commencement. While I must depart from these people I love so much, I am beginning an incredible journey. Without the goodbye, there can be no departure. And without the departure, there can be no new adventure.
