It is always bittersweet to step into a new chapter. I remember flying to Puerto Rico almost 16 years ago, I was excited about starting my new life with my new husband, even as my Dad held me and cried. Everyone was at the airport to watch me leave, my family, my best friends. They have had to say goodbye to me so many times since then as the chapters of my life have unfolded. Those who are lifelong, have never been too far away. Even if distance was an issue, there are bonds that just can't be broken. The other thing that I have discovered is that you never lose them forever. With this move I will be closer to one of those people that stood beside me at my wedding, that was at the airport that day when I left to start off on the adventure of marriage. More sweetness to add to the bitterness of leaving here.
Raising my kids in NC, they have missed out on really getting to have a relationship with my parents. There is nothing cuter than my daughter curled up with my Dad on the couch giving Grandma grief. My Dad started driving last year, and he is home for 3 days every three weeks and his granddaughter loves nothing more than for him to be here. She always threatens to tie him to the bed so that he can't leave again. There is something special in that bond. Grandma has been great to take the kids on their special dates. Trying to invest in them in ways that they weren't able to do when we lived so far away, and may not get to again over the next couple of years.
I guess the greatest joy of this, is that I know that I am not alone. When we first moved to NC and started attending our church there I purposed myself to build friendships, to create a hedge of protection for myself. I love people, I just do. I love interacting with people, gregarious is a word used to describe me. I love to observe and study relationships. It's just part of who I am. The lie comes that I am walking into this with no friends. The fact that I am moving somewhere new, again with no church family, no friends for my kids, or myself could be daunting and force me to live in the land of fear. However, I know better.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." ~John 15:9-17
Jesus, calls me His friend. No matter where I go, He goes with me. I walk into this new chapter, knowing that I need to love His people, love the ones that don't know Him. Love them like He loves me, knowing that there is possibility of pain and heartbreak. Yet, knowing, that I know the Healer, I have a friend that will listen to my ever hurt without judgment and just pour out a love on me that can't compare to any of the scratches I may receive along the way. That is my hope, that is where my joy comes from. Grace and Mercy abound!
Realize that you are blessed and loved extravagantly, then bless others by loving them outrageously.
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