Saying Goodbye

I am in the process of saying goodbye to a couple of good friends.

Tim Perkins as been the associate pastor at our church for five years. Tim took a leave of absence late last year and then revealed in January that he is an alcoholic. That has taken its toll on him and his family. He feels the being led by God to step away from full-time ministry right now. I will miss seeing him, his wife Amber and their beautiful three kids on a regular basis.

Then there is Phil Gooden and his family. Phil has played acustic guitar in our praise band for a couple of years. Good guy and great friend. He lost his job last year but he found a new one almost immediately. The problem is it's in Milwaukee. He's been commuting since but now that school is out, the family is pulling up stakes. Next Sunday will be his last one with us.

Saying goodbye is nothing new to me. Barb and I have served four churches in three different states, prior to her taking the position at Crown of Life in Colleyville. I also spent eleven great years at Lutheran High of Dallas before losing my position in a staff down-sizing. Bottom line is I maybe have gotten too good at saying goodbye. At times it seems like life is a parade, with people just marching past. If anything, I have learned to love and appreciate them while I have them.

While our kids will always be our kids, our earthly situations might change. At times it will seem like they are just passing through our lives too. Learn to appreciate each stage of life for what it is... a gift from God. Our earthly relationships and circumstances might change but our God is always the same. Maybe that is where we need to be investing more of our time. Make Him your companion on your evening walks, your silent bed partner when you lie down at night and that trusted friend you have coffee with in the morning.