Goodbyes

This morning an experience came upon me suddenly and found me little prepared: the first of what will doubtless be many goodbyes. I visited my dentist and realised that by the time of my next routine appointment I shall almost certainly not be in this area any more. (My immediate destination is not yet clear.)

Kind words and good wishes were exchanged and I left the surgery with an emotional pang. Sure, I am as keen as mustard to move on to new beginnings. Yet it still comes hard when you put a distance between yourself and folks who have proved friendly, encouraging, supportive.

One benefit of living with a family is that you can go home and tell someone straight away how you are feeling. My kind host remarked helpfully, "You may have said 'goodbye' to some people, but soon you will be saying 'hello' to others." He talked about a country he knows well where there is a strong tradition of hospitality and guests are always well looked after. When it is time to go, the custom is that you say your farewells and depart without a backward glance. There is always some new household somewhere that will soon give you the same generous welcome.

How touched I was! This reminds me of Jesus' teaching about the preparations going on in heaven to say "hello" to us.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:2-3 NIV). The last and perhaps most difficult farewell is when we say goodbye to this life. But for those who trust in Jesus and whose real home is heaven, there are preparations already going on and people gathering, just waiting to say "hello".