Today I said goodbye.
It's one of many goodbyes that I'll have to make, and it made me realize how many goodbyes I need to say before I leave for the World Race. Saying goodbye to my head counselor at camp as she leaves for college was hard. I cried. I'll be crying a lot the next three weeks. Tonight I may cry again, as my roommate and I spend our last night together before I move back to my parents' house tomorrow.
Saying goodbye is so hard. Why? Because the act of saying goodbye forces us to embrace the reality of change. And change is hard. Even change like the World Race, which is going to be one of the most amazing things that will happen to me, can be hard. I'm giving up everything to go and serve God in the nations. My loved ones, friends, YMCA kids, and church family are staying here while I leave. Some of them I may never see again, and that's hard to face. But God brings people in and out of our lives, and I know that anyone in my life has been placed here for a reason. All I'm called to do is to love them with Christ's love. And that's what I aim to do these next three weeks. I'll say goodbye, and step into the reality of the change God has for me. Because even though I love those I'm leaving behind, I love Jesus more. He has called me to leave, so I will say goodbye with joy. Joy and tears. Get the Kleenex ready.
