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| Copyright 1998. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved. | |
Few words in the English language are as difficult to say or carry as much emotional weight as the word, “Goodbye.” The word implies the hope that we will meet again and the realization that we may not. One of the most difficult goodbyes I ever had to say was when I graduated high school. My parents decided for health purposes to move to Atlanta, Georgia. Now, all the friends from my childhood were miles away, and I was not sure if I would ever see them again. But through the years God in his kindness has seen fit to cross some of our paths.
I came to realize that people come and go throughout our lives. We can look back with fond memories of friends we had while growing up. We think, “What are they doing today? Are they married? Do they have kids?” We can have sad memories as well. “Why did he have to die? He was too young!” It seems that God brings people into our lives for periods of time, and then eventually sends us on our separate ways. But why is that?
Perhaps goodbyes are blessings in disguise. Without them the Hello’s are never so sweet! What a blessing to say “Goodbye” to my wife in the morning, work a full day, and come home to hear that welcoming word, “Hello!” from her precious lips! And even when a loved one dies, we have the hope that we will see them again someday when it is our turn to leave this life behind.
Copyright 1999. John Albert Thomas. All Rights Reserved.