The "Good" in Goodbyes

good-bye
[ ˌgo͝odˈbī ]

A farewell. A parting.

I searched the Internet for a suitable definition of this word and couldn't find one. How do you describe such a primal, crucial word? Farewell sounds too cold and cordial. A parting is also too unfeeling to give life to the true meaning of the word.

"Goodbyes" have always been my worst fear. I know it sounds strange. Some people are afraid of heights, some people are afraid of public speaking, but I am terrified of goodbyes. Losing people I'm close to is horrifying. Even as a kid, I would cry every time I left my grandparents' house, or my best friend had to go home, or if anybody was leaving.

Goodbye.

How many people in the world have used this word? How many soldiers have said this to their families before they left for the battlefield? How many parents have said this to children they'll never see again? How many "goodbyes" have subsequent "hellos"?

Wow, that was really dark. Hold up, this blog has a better conclusion.

I've thought a lot about how people come and go in my life recently. In a couple months, I'll be entering a new chapter in my life. My dad has started a new job mentoring kids who have had difficult home lives. He has a heart for helping people and this is what God has led him to do. The down side? He can't pastor our church anymore because of this job.

I've spent the last four and a half years at this church. I've built relationships with people that I don't ever want to sever.

Where's the "good" in "goodbyes" anyway?

Last Sunday morning, during worship, I looked out over the congregation and saw the faces of men and women who loved God. I thought about how each and every one of them had invested me in some way.

I remembered how Mrs. Grzenia had told me her story when I first moved here. She had moved from Poland to Germany when she was a little girl, so she related to me about the struggles of moving from one place to another. She encouraged me once again with her story yesterday. Her faith astounds me.

I remembered when Dad had first told me about Pastor Dave. He said that one of the main reasons he wanted to take the job at Grace was because he wanted me to grow in grace under the strong leadership of David Hansen. Being the sassy junior higher I was, I thought that I could mouth off to this guy. I wasn't expecting him to be so kind, funny and welcoming that I felt guilty for even thinking mean thoughts about him.

Then there was Anne. She was soft spoken and gentle, so at first I thought we could have nothing in common. She started investing in me and talking to me, and quickly became a godly influence in my life. We talked about everything from clothes to the stupid insecurities that girls share and how God is greater than them all.

The Jurek clan are some of the coolest people I know. They're godly and fashionable and drink Starbucks coffee regularly. Erick is kind and would always patiently teach me how to play bass riffs. Ashton is optimistic and cheerful and can light up the room with her smile. She's also a writer and has a killer blog. Kory is the best drummer ever, period. He's really humble about it too. He's given me a great example to follow (and he gave me some of his facial hair, not willingly, but that's another story). Dave Jurek makes me laugh because we have the same sense of humor. He's encouraging and a great person to talk to.

Jacqui Vaulkenburg-I couldn't even list all the times she's made me laugh. She's amiable and charming. We're so close that we can be awkward together, and she's also the kind of friend that will hide me with her jacket while I'm blowing my nose so that the other people at Applebee's won't see.

I could go on and on about every person at Grace, so much that I could probably write a book! The ways that God has blessed me through these people is incalculable.

It wasn't until I was faced with "goodbye" that I realized just how much I love them. I wouldn't be the person I am today without their encouragement and fellowship.

So here's the "good" in "goodbyes"-

For Christians, there's always a subsequent hello.

I know that I'll see all of them again. I have no intention of cutting ties in this life either; but even if there is a fallout, I know we'll all be together again someday.

So even though I'm embarking on this new chapter in my life, I won't forget the earlier characters. God sends people into our lives and sometimes he takes them away. There's nothing I can do about it. I'm in control of nothing.

The key is to trust God, because He's not only the author of your story. He's the hero, the one character that will walk with you through it all.