Goodbye to us???

Last Monday Jenn from our KC group who is moving to Florida sent an email to encourage us and to remind us where we had all been for the last two years. Her email struck a chord in our hearts I think. Two sent replies and I know it touched Larry and me. Then she sent another email about getting together for a meal before they move and she put as the subject "Goodbye to us".

I haven't been able to get that phrase out of my mind. Goodbye to us. Not really Goodbye, as in finality of course. I know her heart. Please don't mind me writing about this Jenn - you've just written some really thought provoking things!!! I just couldn't go to sleep til I had written. I'm taking this chance because I don't think you want me calling you at 11:00. But this has been such a season of suddenlies for this group. HE brought us together in a very sovereign way, and now just as sovereignly HE is sending us to these different places. We're feeling it!! We were together for a season in the natural but forever in the heart. Hmmm...As I write this I remember a lady praying for me that God would give me relationships of the heart. When I see her again one day I'll have to tell her about all this.

One of the things that Larry and I found ourselves having to examine closely while in KC was relationships. Very specifically the question of whether people can bind themselves together in a covenant. Larry and I don't and we very directly encourage others not to do it. How can we? How can anyone outside of that husband and wife relationship declare themselves in covenant with one another. That one is tough enough to keep. The covenant we have with Christ and his Lordship over us must always have freedom to operate and how can it if we have made covenants with one another and we judge the word of God to ones heart by whether it takes us away from someone or not?

Larry and I consider ourselves in covenant with the body of Christ because of the covenant we have with its Head. What more is needed. He will have each one where He wants them as He wills. We can live anywhere in the world and even not see each other again in this time/space continuum and still be connected. Of course it's not the same as if we're seeing each other all the time but if God knows that and wills it then it is the right relationship. I love that.

So how in the world do people say Goodbye to each other. I wonder if I can even use the words any more. I love my people where ever they are and my heart never says goodbye to them.

Here's some options.....

Happy Trails to you...until we meet again. I think that's appropriate as we ARE all walking the paths that God has us on.

Farewell....So Long - tried and true expressions.

See you later Alligator - ok maybe for the kids.

I'll see you next time I see you - sometimes that's about all we can predict.

Call me (I'm not very good at calling as most of you know).

Email me (I'm better at that.)

I'll see you in the funny papers - or more currently - in your blog or facebook or myspace.

Anyway - you get my drift on this I'm sure. Goodbye is a good functional word that we all use but those of us who know - know that it really only helps us to make that transition.

So goo..goo....See Ya!