A Life in Exile

I show my age when I’m thinking about the old Neil Sedaka song, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” as I write this post, and in light of that catchy tune, I’m going to switch up the words to help us think about the times we have to say goodbye to family and loved ones before returning to the field. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had a long or short time back in your home country; the goodbyes never get easier. It’s the nature of the beast of your commitment to serve the Lord in another location. I pray this little attempt at poetry will help those of you saying goodbye as the summer ends.

I’m going to alternate the stanzas between those leaving and the parents letting you go.

Parents:

Don’t take our grandkids away from us
Don’t you see our hearts about to bust
When you go, we’ll be so blue
Cause these goodbyes are hard to do

Cross-cultural couple:

Remember when you held us tight
And you prayed the Lord’d keep us in His sight
This is what He’s called us to
We know goodbyes are hard for you

Parents:

They told us that goodbyes are hard to do
Now we know
We know that it’s true
Though this feels like the end
We know the days will pass and we’ll be welcoming you home again

Cross-cultural couple:

You make us strong when you try
To keep your tears and your sighs
To yourselves, knowing we’ll be blue
Cause these goodbyes are hard to do

Parents:

They told us that goodbyes will strengthen our faith
So we trust
We trust you to Him
Though we feel so alone
We know He’s with us now and He is with you till you come back home.

All:

The tears will flow as we say goodbye
Our hearts are heavy and filled with sighs
But we trust the Lord who’s true
And know goodbyes are hard to do

So, let’s all hug and hold real tight
It’s the last moment as we say goodbye
Let’s kiss the kids and grands as we must do
Knowing these goodbyes are hard to do

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts goodbyes: Getting Used to Goodbye, Accepting the Seasons of Life, The Blessing of Perspective in Service, and Leaving Well.