One of the hardest things to do is to say goodbye. As we just had to do this with our family in Virginia and soon we will also be saying goodbye to our family in New York. We are going through many emotions. We will be missing 3 births of nieces or nephews because my sister and 2 sister-n-laws are pregnant. We will being missing out with what will be going on in everyone's life for the next 2 and a half years. Along with new beginnings and celebrations that we won't be a part of, there could also be sickness and mourning. Times that we won't be able to help and support in the physical form. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us so goodbye sometimes can be for even longer than the time we will be in Kenya.
I draw my strength from the scriptures. Recalling when Jesus was asking his disciples to come and follow him:"Going from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and IMMEDIATELY they left the boat and their father and followed Him." Matthew 4:21-22
Just a few chapters later he is speaking to the disciples and saying:
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Who ever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it". Matthew 10: 37-39
In Luke 9: 57-62 Jesus ans His disciples were walking along the road and a man approached them and said,"I will follow you wherever you go.
Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."
He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said , "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'
In my Bible the heading of this passage is The Cost of Following Jesus. As we are getting ready to return to Kenya there is a cost to pay. The loved ones we are leaving in the States will continue to live their lives without us and that is okay- it is how God has it to be. Lastly what I get from the scriptures is I am not to tell Jesus what my own agenda is when I am choosing to follow Him.
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3 comments:
Praying for you guys as you transition again!
We will commit to pray for your family on a regular basis. We love you guys.
Tony, Karol and all of us at Camp Daniel
Looking at the photos of Grandma holding your little one makes me remember what a sacrifice your families make when you go.... Thank God for families who release their children to serve God, even though it costs them the joy of being with their children and grandchildren.
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