Life is a series of hellos and good-byes!

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
(Acts 20:36-38). 

The Apostle Paul is saying a teary farewell to people that had come to mean a great deal to him. He is on his way to Jerusalem.  His life had been re-directed by the will of God, for a season they walked together.  

Too often we assume that the people in our life now, the ones that add and benefit us, will always be there. After all life takes on a sameness, everything seems to continue as before, as it always has. The sun rises, and sets, the seasons come and go, the people we know are there, sure others are introduced to the circle of our lives, but for the most part life can have long stretches of relative predictability.

We should know, and I believe do know, that life while appearing stagnant, is anything but. It’s not a pond, but a moving, meandering river….time is flowing, life is changing…and the people who are often thought of as fixtures, are in fact being reassigned to a different place by the hand of God…who is always at work around us.

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him.

The emotion the quick tears that sprang to the faces of those whom Paul loved, and Paul himself, happened because life had abruptly changed, and farewell, became the un-welcomed topic.

Similarly, we in Southwest Wyoming will soon be saying farewell to Howard, Lavonna, and Laurie Daniels, as they return to Texas and the Pastorate of Howard's home church in Alvin. Howard for 2 years and three months has served with distinction as our Director of area Missions, His wife and daughter have been equally precious to all who have known them.

It seems like yesterday we were looking on the faces that have now become so dear to us, as the Daniels shared their call to pioneer missions here in the great state of Wyoming. 

Our Lord determines the direction and duration of our time, and His call for Howard and family necessitates this soon farewell. 

Dr. George W. Truett long time Pastor (47 years) of First Baptist Dallas, Texas once said

“The workman die, the workman move on, but the work goes on”

And so it does, but we will never forget the impact this sweet family has had on all who have had the opportunity to know them here in Southwest, Wyoming.

The reminder stands:

  

Cherish life’s moments, because that’s what life is…one moment after another, and in their collection, will be the farewells of life, that teach us to value and hold carefully each and every valued friendship.

Singer Songwriter Billy Joel once wrote in a song:

     

So many faces in and out of my life ... some will last; some will just be now and then. Life is a series of hellos and good-byes, I'm afraid it's time for good-bye again. ~ Billy Joel

Aren’t you glad that Christians never say goodbye for the final time.

Until we meet again...