Moving Days

"Friends"

And friends are friends forever

if the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

'cause the welcome will not end

though it's hard to let you go

in the Father's hands we know

that a lifetime's not too long

to live as friends.

--Michael W. & Deborah Smith

Two of my friends have known for a while that they would be moving. One is moving to South Carolina and one to Manitoba. Both were planning to move 'whenever things worked out.'

Things worked out. At the same time. One made the move to SC two Saturdays ago and the other is heading north later today. Their moves have given me a lot to think about.

So I Was Thinking...

I know Canada is further, but Carolina really bothered me. My soon-to-be-Canadian friend and I share a pretty special friendship, that only even came about because of Christ and His plan. When I felt like I was losing friends (more moving...) I really was gaining a family of new friends; all a part of God's plan I just couldn't see yet. As far away as Manitoba is, I know Leah and her family will always be a part of my life. Our relationship with Christ makes me confident of that. We will always have the most important thing in common, no matter what country we're in. That's why SC bothers me. What me and SC have in common is temporary; she is not a Christian. Those things we did have in common-job, location, etc-are now gone. I've been here before too; friendships not made complete in Christ fizzle out, even with the best intentions.

That Saturday morning was hard for me, because I didn't get to see her before she left. I missed two opportunities to see her that week. I was too busy. Here's the thing--I was busy with good stuff, church stuff, ministry stuff. I'm pretty sure Jesus didn't mean for me to be so busy inside the church that I didn't have time to be in the world. Yes, we need to be serving His church, but He needs us in the world too. What if I missed an opportunity to share more about my Jesus? I'm so fortunate--I'm going to have another chance to see her in Knoxville, but one day a visit will be the last visit. I want to be able to look back and know I made time for her. I've prayed for her to have a friend in her new community that will be able to share Christ with her. But that prayer hit me--what if someone else was praying for her to have that friend in Knoxville and i missed it? I don't feel like I missed opportunities when I was with her. No, I never went through an official gospel presentation. But I tried to open with my life. I just wonder if I could have done more.

-E