Goodbye.

I hate goodbye.

My best friend is moving half a country away.

We’ve been praying about it for months. God has called him to join the pastorate of a congregation which needs his skills and maturity; and that of his wife…she is my friend too.

God’s hand is clearly in this. Their house sold in about 2 weeks with 1 showing in the worst real estate market in 15 years. Numerous events in their lives both big and small converged exactly the way that they would have needed to if this were to happen. Doors that needed to be open were opened and doors that needed to be closed were closed. He even spoke to my friend through sermons and scripture which pointed the way.

God’s hand is in all of this…but I don’t like it.

Not that it matters.

God never said that we have to like His will; only that we need to follow it.

So he’s going to go; and I’m gonna help him.

I hate goodbye…

I heard once that sometimes you have to say goodbye in order to be able to say hello again some day.

I guess there is some truth to that. I mean, it’s not like I won’t see them again. I’m sure we’ll speak often on the phone or Skype. E-mail will fly back and forth, probably on a daily basis.

But I’ll miss sitting down for a cup of coffee and a word of encouragement, dropping in to his office on a whim, taking our sons to a “boy movie” or the occasional nights out with other guys usually consisting of a steak and a “big boy movie”.

I’ll miss just spending time with him, sitting around doing nothing and liking it that way.

I know that God is sovereign and I love Him even more that I do my friend; so if it’s His will that they go then so be it…but I still don’t like it.

Our families will drive out to their new adventure together and we will help them get settled in their new home. We’ll probably get the chance to meet some of the new people who will share their lives. We’ll even get the chance to worship with them at their new church home.

Then we’ll give them all hugs, say goodbye, get back in our car and start the long journey home.

I really hate goodbye.