To all the people I’m leaving behind,
this blog is for you.
To all the people preparing for goodbye,
this blog is for you.
Just a few days ago, I had to say goodbye to some of you. You know who you are. The people that I grew to love so quickly in just a few weeks. The people who taught me how to worship, rest, serve the Lord, love one another. The people I’ve traveled miles and miles to meet, so I can love them and share with them the love of Jesus. The people who I was supposed to be doing ministry with, but really I received far more than I gave.
So far, I’ve only met some of you, and I fell in love.
For some of you, the moment has already come where I had to say goodbye. For the rest of you, that moment is coming.
But don’t be afraid of that moment. I’m not.
As I’ve thought about how I’m going to leave each of you, each country, each culture, each ministry behind, I ask myself the question:
How do I leave this place better than I found it?
Not just physically, but how do I leave you, the ones I’m leaving behind, in a better place emotionally and spiritually?
When I leave, do I leave more holes behind? More brokenness and pain? Abandonment? A mess?
Or do I leave behind the imprint of Jesus?
Do I care more about you remembering my name and remembering what I look like?
Or do I care only that you remember who Jesus is?
I’ll admit, there have been times in my past when I’ve been more concerned about whether you’ll remember me and the impact I’ve made on your life than about whether you’ll remember that Jesus gave his life for you and loves you with an unconditional, never-stopping love.
But I’ve decided to stop making you an object to satisfy my need to feel important.
Instead I’m choosing not to let my own need to feel important trump your need to experience the transformative power of Jesus.
I don’t want to go around proclaiming the name of Kate anymore;
I want to proclaim the name of Jesus.
So, I want you to forget all about me. If you don’t remember my name tomorrow, that’s just alright with me. If you don’t remember what I look like tomorrow, that’s just alright with me.
But I never want you to forget that you saw Jesus.
I hope you never forget what He looks like.
I hope you never forget His name.
Update: I only need 7 more supporters to reach my goal of 70! My next deadline is on February 29, and I only need $174 to reach that goal!! Click here to support me.
