HEART-MISSING

Part of me is lost and I don’t like it. If I could skip this day in time or have never lived it I know I would be the worse for it but at least I would not sense this absence that came too fast and . . . heartrending and heartbreaking are too strong in meaning for what I’m feeling. Perhaps in this poignant period a more apt description is heartmissing. The good news is she is only three and a half hours away. The bad news is there are 206 miles between us.

Sarah and I drove from Newberg to Seattle. I gave her the speech I’ve pondered giving and she wrote each point down. What do you tell your daughter as she leaves home to start college? In life reflecting, two areas prominently emerge—my relationship with my heavenly Father and my relationship with people. If my precious girl can learn from my mistakes and pursue what I know to be gold, I know God will bless her.

The key for me in finding God so as to know Him, is feeding daily in His Word. Scripture breaths wisdom, God’s view on life, and the essence and substance of faith, without which, existence would be meaningless. The other key is communication. Most of my life when I’ve prayed God seemed distant and the whole act mechanical. But when I learned to praise and tell Him how much I love Him, I felt His presence far more often. Prayer walking further energized our fellowship and opened up new opportunities for praying with the Holy Spirit.

People are complex and every relationship unique. But there are principles that clearly assist forming friendships and working with others. First, humility is the key to earning trust. If I walk in pride, I carry my own agenda and the reward is cheap. If I am willing to die to myself then it seems that others are willing to live with me. Second, serving is the water that truly replenishes thirst. God set the tone by leading Jesus to wash the feet of His followers so they would understand the central importance of looking at the needs of others before their own were covered. Third, listening is the medicine that solves many ailments.

Meditation

2 Corinthians 7:6-7—But God, Who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

On this cloudy, chilly day, Sarah received my safety message and other personal requests. The CD played Randy Stonehill’s sang, “Song for Sarah.” And all too quickly the drive ended at her Seattle Pacific dorm. We carried in her things and I met one of her roommates. Finally in the Subaru, I told her how much I love her, how proud I am of her and fought back the tears that would not be dammed. As she walked away I understood from the other end how my parents felt when I left home.

Heartmissing is the heaviness of absence and the presence of the unknown. In this turn on the road home I’m reminded that I experience more than just the letting go of my daughter. Heartmissing is the longing to be with God in the relationship He intended from the very beginning to be perfect and have no end. Something to think about . . . in reveration!

Inspiration

Hebrews 11:16-17—Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.