The Grief of Goodbye

A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again in a little while, and you will see me.

-John 16:16

In even this, He understands.

My Jesus, my Savior. The One who had to go where the Father called Him and in doing so, had to leave loved ones behind.

Jesus understands the #grief of goodbye. Share on X

This obedience is hard, Lord.

We are moving across the world again. This time, I am older. I have tarried long with friends and family, soaking in the joy of their presence. I have taken time to think deep and give thanks for the gift of friendship, love, and community.

Goodbye hurts more now than it used to.

When I was young and zealous, I left people behind without so much sorrow. I was focused on the passion of my purpose, the big things I would do for God in the world. If I’m honest, I was focused on me.

Now, I have decreased. Thank God for that. I am finally small and He is big. This is as it should be. One day very soon I hope for all of Him and none of me. Invisible me is the goal.

I no longer associate extraordinary work for God with great geographical distances or material sacrifice.

I have learned that the distance between one dear face and another is enough to display the immeasurable glory of God. I also understand now that time together is a gift we should never take for granted.

Age has taught me much about the grief of goodbyes. The grief I feel today lies in the leaving behind of faces and time.

Where I am going, I cannot sit on our cabin porch with my mother, talking long and low about heritage and hope as the creek roars in the background.

Across continents, my hands can’t squeeze the freckled face of my college freshman as he grumbles under his breath yet tries not to smile at my relentless affection for him.

Goodbye is a kind of grief. Loss of faces, loss of time together.

It is good to call it what it is. Denial would be worse. But in the sorrowful admission, there is also hidden joy. We have been so glad to be together. The essence of joy is being glad to see each other. I have known much joy with my dear friends and family. I have been given a great gift, and for that I am grateful. My life is rich as a result.

One day, we will see Jesus. For those of us who follow Him, we will never again be separated by time. Not from Him or each other. We will be together forever.

Today, while you are yet confined by time and geography, take a moment to pause long and look deep into the face of your loved ones. Be glad to see them. Soak in the joy of being together. Say what needs to be said. Love well.

If you don’t follow Jesus yet, it’s not too late. The grief of goodbye does not have to be permanent. In Him, we have eternal life. Invite Him into your heart today.

Lord, thank you for the gift of faces and time. Comfort our hearts as we grieve our goodbyes. Amen.

@audreycfrank