“Goodbye”

  Don’t you just hate “goodbyes?” Now I know that there are those rare instances in which “parting is such sweet sorrow,” but more times than not, exchanging “goodbyes” is not a happy occasion. Just the mention of the word encites bitter grief in some.

   As of this writing, it has been eight days since we laid to rest my wife’s father who had finally succumbed to the devastating effects of a severe stroke. Just a few weeks before, we had made the journey to stand by his bedside once again, anticipating that this might be our last “goodbye.” It was.

   In a few days my wife and I will drive away from a college campus that is over 500 miles from our home, after saying “goodbye” to our youngest son who will begin his freshman year there. My heart aches already.

   Wouldn’t it be great if we never had to say “goodbye” again? This question reminds me of the precious promises of the Bible, given to all who have accepted God’s forgiveness through faith in Christ. In the loss of our believing loved ones, though we grieve, the promise of a resurrection keeps us from sorrowing “as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). One day, in the resurrection, there will be no more sad “goodbyes,” for the Word of God promises, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1Thessalonians 4:17).

   While we wait for that glad day, we walk upon a sin cursed earth where Satan, the enemy of our souls, and all of his cohorts, work tirelessly to accentuate the horrors of the “last goodbye” for those who still grope in darkness. Dear believer, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? “ (Romans 10:14).

   I’ll say goodbye for now, but O how I would love to share with you the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Won’t you please call?