Wow are goodbyes hard. Just the other day I had to say “see you later” to some of my greatest friends. I certainly did not have realistic expectations of how I would react to saying bye to my life back home. I thought ignoring and staying strong was how I was going to get through the tough time, but the Lord is a hopeful way through it. Sometimes it is totally okay to have tears, because God is there to pick you back up and lead you on your destined path. This is my week of lasts as I embark in a couple short days. I will be having to say goodbye to my dearest friends and family, my support and comfort my whole life. I am going to be saying bye to them but yes and hello to my father. My mom came home the other day and told me of the conversation she had with my little brother Jake on the great change in all of our lives this next year. My mom got a new job, my sister is now in High School, and my brother is in Middle School. Jake said, “Mom, our word for this year should be brave” merely because we are all taking on this huge adjustment. He then said, “At least we can be brave together. Hannah is by far the bravest though, because she is brave all by herself.” Oh Jake I hope you know I will NEVER be alone.
God always has us in His grip. The Lord is continually present in our lives. This is a big fact I have been focusing upon lately. He constantly is calling out to us, pursuing us. He invites conversation and regular interaction with us. Simply, look at the Bible. He is His word. He speaks of encouragement and comfort over us through scripture. In Psalm 32:8, “The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” This is just one of countless verses that reveal the reassurance and endless love of our father. He protects and behind all His actions is a gentle heart for our well being and greater good. The Lord will give you all you need in life, once you allow time for Him. Leaving behind all I’ve known for 18 years is scary, but if I think of the purpose God has instilled in this decision for my life and how he is alongside me for this journey I feel fulfilled and relieved. So as I struggle to leave this life behind, I will shine a light on the truth that all I must do is follow Him and there I will find a comfort similar to that I feel with my family. I may have to leave my earthly father back at home in the States, but I will be spreading love with my heavenly father.
He is love. Look to John 4:12. As we love, he works through us and for us. By loving others, we will acquire deeper intimacy with our Lord. Drawing into His love gives us strength and support. The spirit of God fills us. The holy spirit is with us through it all. His love for us is so powerful and unchanging its crazy! It is revealed to us through Jesus Christ and worked inside of us through the Holy Spirit, compelling us everyday to act on love. We are shaped less by these dramatic decisions but more by the everyday acts of simple love. As the spirit leads me far from home, I have peace because I know there is this immense love from God that surrounds me.
So through these times of confusion and hurt, we must fixate on the one who overcomes the giants in our lives and those feelings will pale in comparison. He is all around us it is rather a concern of acknowledging His presence through making Him priority in life. We must be intentional and earnest while in pursuit of a relationship. A question from a devotional that I tend to ask myself is, “Do I want to hear the Lords voice and have a relationship with Him enough to make it a priority in my life?” God chooses us, day after day. We must make our decision to choose Him. So as I venture out of my world of comfort I rely on the one above, He will sustain me. Jesus is not safe, but He is far worth it because He has a plan and a purpose substantial to anything we can imagine. To walk with Him, I must say yes to anything and everything. This means saying “yes” to leaving behind my family and friends to grow in relation with my father and waking up everyday with the sole purpose of loving others.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 says, “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Through this hard and weird time of parting I will call upon His name to be my rock and courage. He will be with me always, revealing Himself in new and exciting ways. He is all around we just need a little faith to believe and to listen to His more common soft spoken voice through scripture, others, events, impressions, audibly, inwardly, visions, dreams, or demonstrations of prayer. Do not fear for He is there beside you in one extravagant way or another. These next nine-months are not going to be easy but they will be worth it and I will have my father alongside me! Knowing He is there for guidance, love, and support makes this transition that much more easier. I am about seven days out from leaving for Cambodia and am beyond ecstatic to arrive and update you all! Love and thanks for all thoughts, prayers, and support that I have received. I would not have this opportunity without both you and God!
