I said goodbye to my piano teacher today.
That was difficult.
Even though I’ve only known her for a few years, it was still really hard. I drove away from her house pondering the reality that I may never see her again.
Are goodbyes supposed to be this hard?
Thankfully, I haven’t had to endure many goodbyes. I said goodbye to my grandfather before he passed away, I said goodbye to a close friend when she moved to another state, and I said goodbye to my sister when she headed off to college.
But I have never been the one to leave. I have always stayed in my cozy home with my loving parents and my sweet sisters. I have never lived anywhere else but here. My home has remained constant, which means that my life has felt constant (for the most part).
But now my home is taking a temporary trip to a distant land called “college.” In this distant land, I may love my temporary home or despise it. The fact is that I have no idea what will happen.
Sadly, there will be many goodbyes in the near future. I’ll say goodbye to friends and church members and relatives. I won’t get to see my youth pastor at youth group every week or meet my friend Emily for lunch whenever I want to.
Sure, they’re all just a call, an email, or a text message away.
But they won’t be with me.
Sure, I will probably see them again when I come home for breaks.
But they won’t be with me.
Sure, I can catch up with them over Skype and see their beautiful faces.
But they won’t be with me.
Who will be with me?
He will.
Jesus will.
…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
There is One who I will never have to say good-bye to. I don’t have to worry about being alone because Christ will be with me to the end of the age—even at college.
But I’ve got a job to do—and it doesn’t involve buying supplies for my pity party.
This is what we have to do:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
We need to praise God because He will never leave us and then teach others that very thing. We can rejoice in the fact that He is near even when it feels like we’re being abandoned (or are abandoning) the whole world. And we have to share this message!
You may not be going to college this fall. Maybe that is five years away, or maybe it was twenty years ago. I do not know how old you are or what your situation is.
But I do know this:
He is with you at your new middle school, your new job or your new home. He holds you as you hold the hand of a dying friend and when you hold your brand new grandbaby.
Don’t keep this “blessed assurance” a secret. Others need to know that they’re not alone.
Jesus will never say goodbye, and we never need to say goodbye to Him. Life must go on, so remember to keep Him first in every part of it—especially in the new seasons ahead of you.
That’s kind of you to say, Cristina! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! I hope God can use me to be an encouragement to both believers and nonbelievers.
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This is my first time visiting your ispiring blog. I see God’s wisdom in your writing. May our Lord use you powerfully, as you yield to His leading, to reach the lost before is too late. Also to encourage others in their walk of faith.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
In Christ,
Cristina
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Thank you, Dani! That’s great advice from your parents and mentors to find a good church community. 🙂
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Grace, this was excellent! I have experienced so many of the same doubts and questions. It is scary leaving everything familiar and comfortable behind you. It is hard to say goodbye. But we always have the hope that we will never be truly alone.
I was always encouraged by my parents and mentors to always find a good church community to immerse myself in wherever I went. The church has been the most encouraging aspect of my move, and the best reminder that God never leaves his saints to fend for themselves. We always have brothers and sisters to walk alongside us!
Dani xoxo
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That was encouraging! Thanks, Meaghan! I appreciate your kindness. 🙂
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I know that it’s weird to think about, and it’s pretty scary. But it’ll all be okay because God is watching over you and your brother. I hope college goes well for you both!
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This is a truth I clung to when I left for college! And the Lord has been faithful to provide a new and meaningful “hello” with every painful “goodbye.” I’m so thankful He never changes even when our circumstances do. Just wanted to encourage you and say that what you wrote here will hold even more truth as college and life go on 🙂
– Meaghan @ meaghanmercy.blogspot.com
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My brother is going away out of state to CederVille University…….. I’m starting community college and watching things change. God has helped me keeep control of myself . I can’t believe my Crazy brother is actually leaving . : (
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Indeed! I am so thankful for God’s never-ending relationship with His sons and daughters. 🙂
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Amen! Goodbyes are an oddly ubiquitous thing for teenagers, it seems. Thank you for pointing out the one relationship that never goes away!
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That’s such a cute Winnie the Pooh quote! Your words are very encouraging! Thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment. 🙂
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This was so, so lovely and very true! Saying goodbye to people when you know you won’t see them in ages is really difficult but you’re right about the one who never leaves. But college will be such an adventure – you’re going to meet a lot of new friends, who help keep your spirits up when you’re away from the people you love at home. My friends from school are still my friends, even though we’re seven thousand miles apart right now and the beautiful thing is knowing we’ll be reunited in just a month or two ❤ How lucky are you to have people who make saying goodbye so hard? #totallystolethatfromwinniethepoohhehe 🙂
So much love as you embark on this big adventure girl! Good luck & God bless
Anne // http://www.aportraitofyouth.co.uk
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Thank you, Hadassah! God be with you as well!
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What an encouraging post! God be with you on your journey of life. 🙂
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Thank you for your encouragement, Brooke! Yes, God will work everything out. 🙂
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Stay strong! My brother went through the same thing! He went from California to Arizona for college. And guess what?!? He’s going on an internship program to Spain! 👏🤗 Everything will workout with God by your side! 😇🙏🙏💕
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I’m sure that moving around a lot is extremely challenging, but you’re right. Imagine what it’d be like without God by your side! You said that so well! Thank you, Pip!
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This post is so encouraging. I have moved so many times and saying goodbye is so hard. I hate not knowing what to expect. Through it all, God has been with me, though. Without Him every one of those moves would have been a million times more difficult. Thanks for the great post!
~ Pip
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It can definitely be scary. We always have to trust Christ–especially now as we face the unknown. Thanks, Kellyn and God bless. 🙂
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Great post! College is a couple years away for me still, and I’m not sure I’ll be going either as nothing I want to do in my life actually requires a degree … but I will be leaving home someday, I will be losing people someday. Thanks for the reminder that Jesus will always be with me. 🙂
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Thank you, Anna. I admire your thoughtful comments!
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Great post! You’ve taken such a wise approach to this upcoming uncertainty and I admire that very much 🙂
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I appreciate your prayers and your kind comments!
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A great challenge for all of us. Pray you have a wonderful summer and a successful year at college.
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I’m so glad! 🙂 Thank you for reading!
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Thank you for this post. It was very encouraging.
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