<Present> No one intends to be absent from their own life, it just sort of happens. We have to desire and plan and fight to be present each day. A huge part of being present where you are is being absent from where you are not. I’ve been learning how to say goodbye well to many people, places and things, not because I’m running away from them but because I’m running towards this new season of my life.
Some of these goodbyes I have been saying are completely out of my control. For example, even if I wasn’t going on the World Race and saying goodbye to America, I would have said goodbye to the University of Washington last Saturday regardless. I said goodbye to my dorm room in Haggett Hall, goodbye to Drumheller fountain and goodbye to finals.
Sunday before last I said goodbye to the church I’ve called home these past four years. I’ve loved this church with my time and my energy. I’ve loved working in the nursery and rocking babies. I’ve loved leading a community group for two years now. I’ve loved seeing new people come and even loved seeing friends move on into new stages of their lives. I’ve loved worshiping God here and learning about who I am and who He is. Goodbye church.
Goodbye Sounders. I’m glad we snagged tickets to a game last month. Goodbye Burke Gilman trail, the many times I’ve used you to unwind or to train for a half-marathon. Goodbye Thaiger Room (one of my go-to Thai restaurants on the Ave). Goodbye Molly Moons and Rick’s. Goodbye IMA swimming pool.
Some goodbyes are harder than others. I am saying goodbye to my Mom today. Of course I wish that I could spend more time with her. Of course I cherish the time we do have. Last night we hiked Badger together with some long-time family friends to watch the sunset.
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| Mom, our friend Joyce and her daughter Teri on Badger Mtn (Eastern WA) |
But our goodbye is uniquely beautiful in that I feel she’s welcoming me onto a path she’s been walking for some time now. She gave me the restless blood in my veins – of course she understands. And she has sent me out to the nations with great encouragement.
In this midst of every goodbye I am not alone. And with this faith I am incredibly excited to venture into the next season. One of the Bible-jewels I’ve come across recently was Romans 10:13-15
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ “
Hello, future. I’m not afraid of you. Hello opportunities and hello disappointments. Hello friends I haven’t met yet. I have some fabulous news for you!!
