But what has surprised me recently is who is doing the leaving. Yes, we said a lot of goodbyes two years ago when we left the States. But we have had countless friends say goodbye to us since we have been here. And for some reason it's often harder being the one who is left behind.
This summer it hit me particularly hard. We said goodbye to a precious baby, my step-grandfather passed away, and two close missionary families returned to the States, all within several weeks. The next month it was announced that the English-speaking pastor of our church was resigning to focus on an international ministry, and my first and closest Japanese friend told me she was moving because of her husband's work. The following month brought more goodbyes as a family in our prayer group returned suddenly to America and as we said goodbye to teachers and classmates at school.
Bam bam bam. In some ways I'm too numb to care anymore. What's the point of pouring into those around me? Everyone's just going to leave. I switch my focus to invest in my Japanese friends, but nothing is guaranteed.
We weren't designed to go through life alone. Yet the only One who can meet the deepest needs of my soul is not another sinner, but my Savior. The One who said goodbye to heaven to show us what God looked like with skin on. The One who fled to a foreign country as a toddler, who didn't have a place to lay his head as he moved from place to place as an adult. The One who said goodbye to his family to do his Father's will. The One who was betrayed and abandoned and forsaken by so many. The One who said goodbye to his followers to return to heaven again. And the One who valued and impacted every.single.person.he.touched. Brief interactions with some, miracles with others, years of investment with still others. The One who made it possible for us to have eternal life...with no more goodbyes.
I don't want to be hardened by goodbyes. When I meet someone I don't know if they will be a part of my life for a moment, a few years, or a lifetime. God knows, but he doesn't usually tell me. All I can do is be thankful for the time I have with those around me and try to be like Jesus as I interact with others. Oh dear God, give me grace to receive your good gifts of friendship with joy, to freely give of myself, and to trust you to fill my deepest needs.