You know that old saying that says, “You never know what you have until it’s gone.”? That saying might be true for what’s and things, but for who’s and people you realize it a bit sooner. I didn’t think it would be that hard to leave people behind. After all, it’s only 11 months. But I’m slowly realizing that it will be hard. Because these are the people I’m used to seeing at least once a week or even daily.
Such as:
- The youth pastor and his wife that helped me grow in my faith.
- The pastor and church that have encouraged and supported me in all of this and made my family their family.
- The coworkers that taught me so much about service and always showed they really cared.
- The friends that think I’m crazy or think I’m awesome for doing this.
- The best friend who well…best friends me.
- The family.
It’s all giving me this gross, mushy feeling inside. You know…emotions. Ew.
I never liked Florida. It is hot and humid and buggy and flat. But whether I like it or not, I have roots here (there; I’m finishing this at Launch in ATL). I had my first kiss here. I had my first car wreck here. My first job. My first home where I lived alone. And now these firsts are turned into lasts. My last day of work. My last drive in my truck. My last grocery run to Publix. My last hug from everyone.
But these lasts aren’t finite, just like the firsts weren’t. I had more “first” kisses. I had another first days at a new job. I will have more first nights in new homes. I will have more drives and more grocery runs to Publix. But what matter are the roots that this place has given me with these firsts and lasts and all the in-betweens.
Without these roots, I would not be the person I am today. Without these root, I would not be able to produce fruit on this journey. But the community that has pressed around me for years has helped me to grow into a good tree. And “no good tree bears bad fruit”. (Luke 6:43)
J.R.R Tolkien wrote in The Hobbit, “Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” My roots are deep. So as I hugged my parents goodbye today, I also said goodbye to the person I was, the person I am. And I embraced the truth of growth, the pain of growth, and the fruit of growth that no frost or obstacle can harm.
