on this side of heaven

My heart is heavy with goodbyes this week.
Goodbyes for a season...
Some seasons longer than others.

My missionary friend, who I've know since my boys were toddlers, reminds me that our kids are more like cousins than friends.  She is going on a 1 year home assignment. The other day, I was helping her pack and sort worldly treasures; what gets packed in the suitcase, what gets left behind to store and what gets tossed.  We were like a couple of college age girls with dresses strewn all over the bed, giggling at what outfits should be deemed "dated" and needed a firm farewell; a pleasant reprieve in the stress and mess of moving.

I will miss you friend; our cups of tea, our Bible studies and quilting get-togethers.  I will miss your smiles and encouragements through busy days of navigating life and minsitry with teenage boys.  I'm so glad you will be back next summer. Counting the months already!

So goodbye sweet friend, but just for a season.

I said another good-bye.  This time to a missionary friend who is moving to another part of Japan.  So far, yet so close.  Travel within Japan is so expensive. More cups of tea. More tears and laughter.  After just a few years, our worlds and families are intertwined for life.

You're the kind of person everyone connects to easily, so it's no surprise I loved you the first time I met you.  Prayers and blessings to send you off.  Concerns about comings and goings; another new adjustment to another new school, home, city and ministry.  Such is our strange, nomadic life. I can already see us laughing together again soon.  I can't wait to hear how God has helped and provided; how He has answered our prayers.  I am looking forward to our next cup of tea when God weaves our lives back together again.

So goodbye sweet friend, but just for a season.

Then there was another goodbye.

I wrote a missionary friend a few days ago, eyes filled with tears as my pen etched my thoughts and heart onto paper.  I didn't think of saying "Goodbye" just, "Thank you".

So thankful that I was one of the many blessed to be blessed by you.  Your warm smile and sweet spirit pointing others to Jesus.  God chose to whisk you away to heaven, even as my letter was still making it's way to you on the other side of the sea.  After a 6 month battle with cancer, God asked your family to say goodbye.  Oh, how my heart aches for them, MK's left behind who've said a life-time of goodbyes already.

Yet you are safely home in heaven, healed and waiting.
And I am so glad there are no goodbyes there.

So, goodbye sweet friend, but just for a season.