I leave for the World Race in two days, WHATTT!? 

Thanks to the generosity of so many I am already 72% funded which is incredible.  I am so so so thankful and humbled by God’s provision.  $17,900 was truly a number that seemed insurmountable to me a year ago and getting so close to it has overwhelmed me with gratitude and thankfulness for God's provision. 

Our first stop is Georgia on the 8th for a couple more days of training and then on the 12th we get on a plane to go to Jaco, Costa Rica where we will work with a ministry called Ocean’s Edge Ministries.  There are a ton of cool ministries through this organization that I could be involved with once we get there.  Here is their website for anyone who’s interested in checking them out: http://oceansedge-lifestyle.com/

What a time!  These last couple of weeks have been interesting!  All of the “cya laters” with family and friends has my heart feeling simultaneously full and heavy.  My heart is full because gosh it is a gift that there are people in my life that I get the privilege to love so hard.  My heart explodes thinking about them. 

My heart is also heavy because saying “cya later” for 11 months is hard.  I’m not very good at it I don’t think.  Most of the goodbyes I felt that I didn’t get to say everything I should have,  plus I cried a few times, even if it was after I drove away lol! (crying is good people!!!)  I decided that this whole leaving thing is one of those situations where I would prefer everyone around me to just have mind reading super powers.  That would be way easier, am I right!? Words are hard!

Anyway, 11 months is both a very long time and a very short time, and it’s gotten me thinking about the concept of goodbyes.  

I think it’s safe to say that my sentimental self is not the picture of what “saying goodbye well” looks like, whatever that means anyway.  Regardless, I’ve realized in this season that even a sad, tearful, or possibly even awkward goodbye can be a reflection of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whenever I say goodbye to someone I love, whether for 11 months or just two days, I often talk with that person about when we plan to see each other again.  I love that part of goodbyes, it always seems important to me.  I hope I am not ignorant in assuming that making future plans when saying goodbye is a common occurrence for most people.

It makes sense that we desire and look forward to future plans with people we care about. We were designed for togetherness not separation.  We were designed for eternity and so anything less than that never seems to sit right.

I’m sure when Jesus left the disciples and went up to heaven they were sad to see Him leave them in the present.  Maybe they even stood around with Jesus for a bit awkwardly trying to figure out what to say.  They certainly asked Him a lot of questions before he left.  One thing I do know is that regardless of the disciples understanding, both times Jesus left the earth He comforted them by promising them some future plans.  

A couple chapters before Jesus is crucified, He gives these promises to the confused disciples; “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” -John 14:1-4

A place was being made for them.  With Jesus.  In heaven.  Eternally.  Jesus left us on earth so that he could go up and prepare a place for us there because He wants to be with us.

That makes my heart happy.

Future togetherness is written on our hearts and I think that’s why we attempt to write it into our human stories as well.  Goodbyes and reunions, it’s all a reflection of Him.

If we’re being honest, our human promises to be with each other are only as good as the time we have left on earth, however long that may be.  His promises that Holy Spirit is with us now on earth and that He will be with us in heaven is an assurance that we can take even greater comfort in.

I pray that I learn to live in a way that reflects that assurance that God is with us consistently in the present and future.  Here’s to being right where we are, and knowing that is where we belong!  Does having an assurance of the Father’s  current and future consistency in your life have an impact on it?

(This was a bit of a long one today folks, thank's for bearing with me!  I am so pumped for this journey, shoot me a comment if you have any thoughts!!)