I don’t do good-bye well….
The last of the haggler’s strode from the garage toting junk from her house. The moving van, positioned in the driveway, waited for loading. Moving day finally arrived. Michelle and her family were leaving California behind to put down roots in Florida.
I met Michelle at a Woman’s Bible study four years earlier. Through the ensuing months we prayed together, shared struggles and triumphs and matured in our Christian friendship.
Michelle and I met for breakfast on moving morning and as I held her hand, praying for her future, I could scarcely control the quivering in my throat. Tears threatened, ready to stream. Our time together was ending. I must say good-bye and I am never good at it.
Why do we regret coming to the end of a good book. Why is it difficult to send our child to Kindergarten for the first time? Why is it sad when a neighbor moves 3,000 miles away? Why do we hate endings? Because we are built for –forever. Eternity is in our hearts!
1 John 2:25
And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.
John 3:15
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
Psalm 119:89
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Ephesians 3:11
according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God.
In the quiet of the night or perhaps in the mundane chore of washing dishes, God will stir a longing within us. We can’t quite put our finger on it. It is a sense of belonging somewhere else. A yearning for a place we know, yet unknown. A place that is fairer and kinder….
…..a yearning for home.
I tingle with delight pondering my everlasting home. I imagine fantastic reunions filled with perfected love waiting for me. Grandma, Papa, Michelle, Simon Peter, Paul, David and Mary along with fellow sojourners, just to name a few. Grins, laughs and hugs of greetings, shared all around. Most profound for me, my beloved Jesus, who I will meet face-to-face, perhaps face-to-feet (my face at his feet).
The next time this elusive longing seeps into your conscious, allow it to dwell there for a time. God is whispering His eternal love to your soul He reminds us He IS home.
El Olam (Eternal God),
In the fullness of time, my purpose in this world will be complete and I will come home. Thank you that you made me for – forever. I hold eternity in my heart and it is a sweet love song. Keep singing!! Amen.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Lord- I ask you to help us both to look forward to eternity and to live fully in the moments that you’ve granted us here- sharing your love and the hope of eternity with each one we meet. When we feel the pain of loss and separation, let us be reminded of the unity of eternity. Amen,
Amen!!! What would we do without the hope of eternity? What would be the point? I can’t wait to get to heaven and see my grandma and grandpa, my dear friend Bette who died of cancer, my friends who’ve moved far away… even my cyber-sisters I don’t get to fellowship with in person.
May God comfort your heart as it mourns its temporary loss.
Beautiful! One of my favorite songs is Mercy Me’s “I’ve Never Been This Homesick.” I have days that I am so homesick, and it isn’t for an earthly home. Thank you for articulating those feelings so well.
This is Michelle. Lynn is truly a blessing to me, even more so and we are 2500 miles apart. I encourage anyone going through a trial to read the Psalms-any Psalms. David went through way more than me. I read the whole book and have never been more encouraged.
I love the thought… “we are built for – forever… eternity is in our hearts.” Thanks for sharing.
What a nice post. It’s given me a new understanding. Thank you.
Excellent. You are such an amazing devotions writer. God has indeed placed eternity in our hearts. Separation, death, and broken relationships were never part of His original plan. It’s such a blessing to know that heaven awaits us… and we will be loved there forever!
Thanks gals,
I love the scripture Tracey added: Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I am writing it down and reading it everyday. Be blessed, Lynn
You know, Lynn. When Christmas rolls around, my heart gets heavy – heavy to be with Him already. I am not saying that I am depressed. I am just longing to be with my Heavenly Father, my earthly father and a few others I miss in my life…