Starts With Goodbye

goodbye is never easy. it usually comes with tears and sadness, always sneaking up and seeming premature in its timing. yesterday, i officially said my goodbyes to birmingham. it was 11 years ago that i was saying goodbye to my family as i began a new stage of life at samford university. and now, all packed up and driving away from a place i called home, the reality of the big changes ahead seems to hit at it’s fullest.

july ended with a difficult goodbye as i closed a chapter at hand in hand. not many people can say they love their job as much as i do. God had indeed blessed my time there, as i was privileged to work with an amazing staff and know such loving families.

my next goodbye is a group of women that have served as my birmingham mommas for many years now. what a privilege to know these ladies and learn from their wisdom and knowledge of the word. being the baby of the group, they all played their part in leading me, teaching me, and praying for me. oh, how i treasure our time together and thank God for their friendship!

saying goodbye to bham is especially difficult when it means leaving my dear friends and sisters in Christ. it was an instant and mutual “crush” that began 5 years ago when we met in a brook hills small group. as individuals and as a group, they have poured so much into my life. they have prayed with me, cried with me, encouraged me, and challenged me. God has shown me a beautiful picture of community in this group of girls, and i can’t seem to find the words to express my deep felt love and gratefulness for their friendship. instead of goodbye, we manage a “see ya later!” somehow tricking our minds only for a moment.

the goodbyes continued as my roommates crammed a week full of games and dancing. there is never a dull moment around our house, and the laughs continued as we practiced our best “thriller” moves in our living room. i will miss our bike rides, marshmallows roasting, snow days, power outages, road trips, scrabble games, and garage sale hunts. i am more than thankful for how they have loved me and always seem to give so unselfishly, without expecting anything in return.

 

in the throws of goodbyes, i find myself wanting to wrap up the memories in words of gratitude and remember whens. but, the grief chokes me and instead i replace the words with a squeeze and knowing nod that somehow says enough.

 

it is overwhelming to look back and reflect on all the blessings God has provided and all the details that so perfectly explain his faithfulness. its when i think on these things that i know with confidence that God still has great things ahead and he will be faithful to complete them in me. what a comfort to know i have such a support team praying for me as i start this next chapter. much love to birmingham. we had a good run!