Last night we had the privilege to host a going away party for some dear friends. I got off pretty easy as all the planning was done while we were on the road - I just had to open our home.
It was bittersweet of course watching everyone chat and have a great time knowing the whole point of the evening was to say goodbye. The kids bounced and splashed and sprayed the night away in the backyard...and it seemed totally normal to look out at one point and see spider-man (T2) spraying a group of kids on the trampoline to every one's delight (well except maybe for the one mom who wasn't planning on her son getting wet that evening...sorry Julie!).
As I contemplated saying goodbye to a close friend and confidant for three out of our four years here, I of course spent time remembering our first encounters and steps into a growing friendship. It all started with a hello. You never really know with that first hello what will follow. Will the final goodbye be just minutes behind, a one time encounter...or will it become a periphery friendship or maybe mature into a trusted inner-circle friend. With these dear friends I'm thankful that our final goodbye (at least to this season of friendship...it won't end, just change) was three years down the line from our first hello.
I can't help being sad. I know it wouldn't be normal if I wasn't but I put it off as long as possible anyways. In fact I refused to even say my goodbye last night knowing they aren't really leaving until Friday so I can stop by one last time today or tomorrow....probably tomorrow. :)
Again I'm faced with the reality that this world isn't all that God originally intended. A goodbye to a friend who is moving is a lighter shade of the separation that sickness and death bring. The separation that sin ushered in giving free reign to death in this world.
It is good to ache with goodbyes, and awaken my heart once again to the pain that God feels with His separation from us. We were created for relationship. Relationship with each other. Relationship with Him. And with each goodbye that I say this side of heaven I long even more for the next life when there will be no more goodbyes lingering behind the hellos.
And yet His grace ever present in my life is the presence of love and friendship. Even amidst a broken system, there is joy and life and relationship. Each a gift from Him. I'm thankful for these dear friends who have been another extension of His love and care in our lives. God be with you my friends, and I look forward to our next hello.
