© Franz Pfluegl | Dreamstime.com
Last week, I had to tell a very, very good friend goodbye. This kind of goodbye that I had to give is a long one. You see, my friend and her family are moving.
And this kind of move isn’t like the one before, which was just down the street. Or another one before, which was just a state over (and we were actually moving to the same place around the same time, so it wasn’t that bad).
This kind of move is a BIG move, an over the ocean kind of move. A move to Africa kind of move.
And this move is bitter sweet.
It is bitter because my friend will be gone and I have to say goodbye. I won’t be able to just stop by her house to say, “Hi.” Or call her to meet for lunch. Or have a game night.
The friendship that we have shared has been special. She knows me. She knows my struggles. She knows my fears. She knows my joys. She knows my dreams. She knows me.
She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and her husband performed the ceremony. She helped me pick out my dress.
She has guided me in love. We have shared many deep and meaningful conversations.
We have been through a lot together. Struggles with sickness. Tests. Learning how to be wives. Birthing children. Moving. Great joy. Deep sadness.
But now, it is time for her and her family to move on to where God would want them to be. And that place is Africa.
It is so sweet because my friend and her family have embraced God’s calling in their lives. They are leaving so that they can take the gospel to the nations.
God has wonderful plans for this family, and they are willing to GO. They are willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How sweet it is to see God’s plan come to a reality in their lives.
So here I am. I am more than willing to deal with the bitter so that I can see the sweetness.
