How do I deal with people leaving?
I have always had the dream that I am sure many other share, that one day all
the people I love will be in one place at the same time, in a beautiful location of
course. In this dream I also have unlimited time and everyone gets along beautifully.
Unfortunately, as you get older and meet more and more people that dream becomes
more and more impossible, on this earth that is. Living in Vienna and being a part of
ICSV broadens your world even more. It is so fantastic to meet all kinds of new people, but as we all know too well, good-byes are inevitable, terrible, and lame but certain. So, how do we deal with the reality that people will enter and leave our lives on a regular basis? I think the number one thing that we need to remember is that it only hurts to say goodbye to those that matter to us. The more it hurts the more we loved and were loved in return. So, first celebrate the relationships that God has placed in your life. Being thankful for these relationships doesn’t make it hurt any less; however, it is necessary to keep your perspective. Next, let it hurt, cry, blow your nose a lot and be honest of how you feel. After, the snot rockets and red eyes wash your face and get on Facebook to stay connected. Also, in the midst of this stalking remember that God will bring new people into your life. They will not be a replacement and they perhaps will not be what you expected but they may be just what you need. For both the one staying and the one going it hurts in different ways, but the Lord doesn’t ask us to leave something without calling us to something else. So, we need to look forward to whatever it is that God has in store for those that go and for those that stay. I am so sorry that good byes hurt so much but let us remember that our idea of “the best” is nothing compared to what God’s best is!
Thanks Whit – I needed this and might need to reread this a few times over the next few weeks! Bec