Bittersweet Goodbyes (Or "An Open Letter to My Faraway Friends")

For many years, I have been forming deep friendships, only to turn around months or years later and have to say goodbye.  They were graduating or I was graduating.  They were moving or I was moving.  Friends got married and left.  Many (including myself) have moved overseas to serve the Lord in missions.  Even over the course of the next couple of weeks, our team in Mexico will largely disband as missionaries leave after having spent a couple of months to a couple of years working here.  Goodbyes, in many ways, don't seem to ever get any easier.  Yet, as I sit here and reflect, I realize that there is definitely a very sweet element to these bittersweet goodbyes.

Because of the way that God has led our paths, I rejoice to see the newsletters of friends who are doing mission work around the world in India, China, Honduras, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Egypt, Costa Rica, South Africa, Brazil, Zambia, Spain, Romania, Bosnia, and the "Middle East" (I'm sure that I am missing countries, but those are the ones that come to mind).  I also have friends who have graduated seminary and are serving in many of those countries mentioned above, as well as in the United States and Canada.  This list doesn't even begin to come close to the other hundreds of faithful men and women who are serving the Lord in their careers, families, relationships, and respective congregations.  Facebook, phone calls, emails, and the occasional wonderful visit show a picture of sacrifice and faithfulness in the "mundane" day in, day out of life.  

Though God's calling has led to goodbyes and to lives in vastly different parts of the world, still I am thankful to have a glimpse of the fruit that is being borne by that calling!  It fills my heart to know that the pain and tears of heart-wrenching goodbyes is giving way to tears of joy and thankfulness as I see the wonderful work that God is weaving through the story of our lives.  I am so glad to know you, my dear friends, and I am so glad that you are following the Lord where He has led you.