I was talking with my friend Lisa this morning about my current emotional crisis. In the midst of all the exciting progress of our lives - Nate having an interview this coming Monday for a career that we are guessing he will love, the option of moving and meeting new people, starting new lives, the chance to find a new home, and make a new place for ourselves in society - in the midst of all this excitement .... is a feeling of guilt. I've forged important relationships during my life here. Especially during the past 2 years I've seen the fruition of working hard to love people - to be involved in the lives of people. And now... now I'm afraid of what will happen when I abandon them. This includes the students that I counsel, and the friends that are dear to me. It's not that I'm afraid to start something new - I'm afraid to hurt the people I leave behind.
Lisa gave me some wisdom about how to leave in a way that is empowering to people, rather than damaging... and she reminded me of the same thing that Nate has been telling me - God is in Control. The people I love, HE loves even more than I do. He will continue the work He began. I am honored to have been part of the process - but I don't NEED to be here for God to be God.
This is one time I'm glad to be reminded that the world doesn't revolve around me... =-)
Comments (5)
Lisa is right, the world doesn't revolve around you.
Though we will miss you and Nate.
Emotional goodbyes are overrated, in my opinion. (I'm sure you're surprised)
I am honored to know both of you and to have been a (very) small part of your process. I know you've interfered with my process. Wait. That didn't come out right. Seriously, you've been a positive influence. Still not coming out right.
Hey, we'll always have Halo.
I'll stop there.
Well, thank you. lol. I've had both of those quotes for a while, so I probably grabbed the second one as soon as it showed up. As for "I can't afford to be as snobby as I'd like to be." I'm pretty sure you said that at the reception of Abe & Lisa's wedding. They had those packets of coffee on the tables and you were saying how you couldn't afford to be a coffee snob.
So... yeah. We need to get together sometime. The four of us, I mean.
You remind me of Gramma and me moving from our first place of ministry (which had come at the time of our wedding). My greatest concern as we anticipated moving was to talk with 'those' people to whom we had witnessed over the previous months/years. It became my goal to win 'those' to Christ before we moved to a new ministry. The Lord blessed with ten precious souls coming to Christ during those last 30 days. About ten years ago we received a Christmas letter from one couple who I had the privilege of leading to the Lord in their living room on afternoon in 1955. This couple wrote that some 95 of their extended family (so far) had come to Christ in the intervening years. The Lord is good, blessing us as we faithfully serve Him.
Grampa Jarvis
Fun is definitely to be had on our cruise!!! we're gonna rock it.
also, i totally get that guilt thing! I'm moving all the way across the country away from people that have grown (over the past 4 years) to be the most important people in my life. Gah, praise Jesus (say it like the latinos, heh-suse) that cell phones exist!
Yes, Arizona will be awesome. I would LOVE some connections. It would be just great to know some people my age in the area, ya know?
Do you know yet if you'll be at the Robb reunion? Barney and I are going (last minute). They're gonna hate us for not planning it all out. Now they'll have to write in our name tags... oh goodness gracious! I hope we will survive this hectic occasion.
You're such a blessing to so many people here, just think of how many you can touch at your next place and beyond! Just get yourself planted firmly and reach out. You can do it! We'll miss you. Hope to see you in Ohio!