I've found myself reading more sports articles than I have for quite some time and waiting for the news. Today I watched the Chicago Bulls press conference and saw them introduce Fred Hoiberg, their new coach. My oldest son, who obviously did not inherit my love for basketball, didn't understand what the big deal was. I know he's right "life will go on" but this all got me thinking.
Letting go is hard and leaving is too. I remember when I told my basketball girls I wasn't coming back to coach...it was hard. A few years ago my daughter's best friend moved away and that's still hard. These thoughts led to a bit of reflection and the thing is this letting go and leaving process is part of life.
Think about it for a minute...we grow up and leave home, we get married and let go of life as we knew it, we become parents and start preparing to let them go. Coaches are not the only ones who leave...pastors do, bosses do and friends do too. Relationships change and regardless of the reason, that change can be hard. Since we are a people created for relationship this adds a challenge to life...we grow to love people and when our connection with them is different, we have to adjust. Which is often easier said than done.
As I found myself thinking about this an important truth and powerful verse came to mind, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. 'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you." (Joshua 1:5) Friend, every single relationship in our life will change except one. We never have to worry about God leaving us for a better opportunity or to chase a life-long dream. His job will never take Him away and death can't separate us.
You don't have to take my word for it -
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"David also said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished." (1 Chronicles 28:20)
"God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5b)
Friend, regardless of where life has you and if you're in the process of leaving or letting go, I pray these words are a powerful reminder and an encouraging truth. God the one who loves us, equips us, knows us and provides for us will NEVER leave. We can say those words with confidence!
4 comments:
Jill, your words are comforting. Well said. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow, Jill, God had our minds in the same place today!!! One of my brothers was married, had a step-daughter, the step-daughter was killed in a one car accident on her way to Capping ceremony on June 2 as she was to graduate the next week, two years ago his wife left him( both are Christians or should I say accepted Jesus as their personal Savior) ---which brings me to my purpose in writing about how God is always at work in our lives. I had text my brother to tell him that he was in my thoughts and prayers as so much had taken place in the last 6 years, BUT that God had been there right beside him-had never left him. NOW, I read your post and was reassured of His goodness!! So many relationships in our life, but the one that will last until eternity is the one we share with our Mighty Lord Jesus!!! That relationship is the only one in which we can trust daily!!
Keep writing as I will definitely be reading and growing in Christ through your words and wisdom.
Love ya,
Mema Jeanne
PS- I can't imagine his being happy with the Chicago Bulls!!! ;)
Thanks for stopping by! Pray we can each remember this truth.
Wow, life can be so hard sometimes! Just the other day a friend and I were talking and she said, "Sometimes I just wish Jesus would come back already!!" Thankful He's here with us...asking God to help your brother remember that in the hard days ahead. Praying you and I remember it too!!
Thank you for always sharing encouraging words! Just last night I taught VBS for 2nd graders and the lesson was on the power of words. Yours always build me up and I'm grateful!
Blessings to you!
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