Saying Goodbye

 

I held him in my arms and whispered in his ear, “Pray with me before you go.” 

“You start,” he said.

Quietly, with tears threatening my voice, I prayed for safety, blessing, and a fruitful ministry in Ghana.  When I was finished, he prayed for me.  Then he got in line for security. and in a few minutes, he was gone.

Now I sit at a nearby McDonalds waiting for word that he has boarded and is about to take off.  Then I’ll make the two-hour trip back to my parents’ home.

For some reason this goodbye has been harder than others.  In the past few days, there have been several times when the tears have surfaced.  On Monday I buried my face in the laundry I was carrying to the laundry room.  Yesterday I ran for the bathroom where my sobs would be unheard.  I didn’t want to dampen the present joy of having him there with me with the sorrow of the coming separation. 

Why is it so hard this time?  I wondered.  Yes, it’s always harder to be the one left behind in any separation, so that’s part of it.  This is a two-week separation instead of our usual week apart, so that’s part of it too.  Then there’s being homeless.  When he’s been gone before, I’ve had a house project I wanted to tackle while he was away with the expectation that when he returned I could greet him with a freshly painted room or a newly-organized space.  We don’t have a house this time, so there are no household projects awaiting me.  Not being part of our home church makes it harder too.  I know our church is praying for us, but it’s different when you’re not there to actually hear them pray.

So the tears are flowing down my cheeks.  My heart aches.  I wish I could have gone with him.

As he flies off to the other side of the world, my prayers go with him.  I’m glad we both look to the same Heavenly Father and that He has promised to keep Charlie securely in His hands.  I can relax and let him go. 

I have lots to do while he is gone, so I will be busy and the days will fly by, though not quite quickly enough.