SAYING GOODBYE

Well I had to give myself a day to be able to write this particular blog so that I could separate my emotions from my thoughts. Yesterday morning at 3AM my wife and I got up and met our friends JOHN AND JANE TRAILBLAZER at the airport. After a year of waiting and growing in the Lord they were finally departing the safety and security of the great nation of the United States for a world far away and far less free.

As we walked in the airport they were there waiting with their little girl standing so patiently beside of them, hugging a car seat. As we approached it just didn't seem real that this would be the last time I'd see them for many years.

In reflection of the goodbyes I’ve come across in my lifetime I realize that I’ve never had to say goodbye to Christian friends before. I’ve let plenty of bad ones go, but never had to part ways with fellow believers. Not too many years ago when my life was in the gutter and I turned my everything over to HIM. I pleaded with God to bless me with Christians in my life - People that were real and grounded and secure in Him. I needed people like that so desperately you can’t even imagine. God so obliged and brought in a flood of people that surrounded me and showed me how to live for Him in a not-so-tolerant-of-Jesus-freaks type of world. JOHN AND JANE were part of that flood! They came into our church body and by their example as missionaries showed me standards that I constantly look to as guides and measures.

As far as I’m concerned their “story” so far reads something like this…God called them to Peru first before I even knew them. Then He called them back to the states to some dinky town named Wytheville (pronounced Yth-vill by the Yankees) on another 3 year + mission to befriend, encourage, and minister to a single dad named Ron Gibson. Now He’s sending them on in their march to the land of East Asia! Their coming to our area was no accident and no chance. God had a plan and purpose for their journey to these mountains and I’m so thankful that I was just one small part of it.

We said our final goodbyes in the airport and fought tears like we were fighting for our lives. I held on to their little girl and patted her on the head one last time. She hugged tightly back and my heart broke even further. The rain was pouring outside as Sarah and I made our way to the car in short term parking. We were getting soaked, but we didn't care. Our walk was in silence as we held each others hand and wiped away our own tears with the other.

On the way up the road the silence was just as obvious. The only noise was from the downpour of rain on our windshield and some praise music. I tried to hide my sadness, but a flood of bittersweet heartache broke over me like a rogue wave on the sea. On the radio a song blared out, "O for a thousand tongues to sing of my great redeemer King as heaven and earth join in one song." I wept as I listened to the song over and over proclaiming the holiness and worthy nature of our King. I realized that God was once again trying to get my attention off of my own feelings and emotions and remember that the thousands of tongues in East Asia have yet to sing a new song to HIM!!! He is our great redeemer and King and He looks for praise in all tribes and tongues. John and Jane Trailblazer had to go so that the thousands of tongues in their target area could hear of HIM and worship Him.

So I melted at these very thoughts. I still felt the pain of separation from my dear friends. My heart ached low in the top of my stomach. I cried and I found myself trying to worship God. I tried raising my hands in surrender and worship as the song proclaimed, "You are Holy". It was hard to praise at first, but I knew God was saying "Praise Me even in this sadness." At first only the words "Awake my soul and celebrate" was all I could muster through the tears. He continued to minister to me deep in my spirit and finally I was able to give my sacrifice of praise.

No matter what the storms of life may look like whether it's a job loss, divorce, losing great friends, or whatever, God still asks and expects us to praise Him through it all. No matter how much rain or how much sunshine we may experience on any particular day, He is and always will be worthy of our praise.

Be blessed today! Take time to worship HIM today! Put yourself aside and give Him the honor that He deserves as your redeemer!

Continue to cover John and Jane Trailblazer in your prayers!

In Christ,
Ron