Goodbye
I had a rare experience a couple of days ago that I’d like to share with you. But first, a little background.
My wife and I went to visit our son and his family about a week ago. The original plan was that I’d leave last Saturday, as to avoid expected traffic on Sunday, and she’d stay for an additional week (she is flying back). On Friday, my son asked if I’d help him with a home improvement project and it went well, so he asked me if I’d stay an extra day to help with some more projects. Before I could answer, my wife said if I was careful, I could drive home on Sunday instead of Saturday. So, I made a few arrangements and stayed an extra day and helped him with a couple of other home improvements.
Early Sunday morning (about 2 am as I recall), I awoke, and my mind started wandering. This is not unusual for me. Before I was able to fall back asleep, I had preplanned what I was going to hug-say to my son and his wife right before I left.
I got up at 6am (which may sound early to you but to me it is later than usual), showered, finished packing and was ready to leave before 7am. Since I had time and since a thought had popped into my head (I wish I could say for sure that most of my devotions were given to me by God, but I believe they are according to his plan), I wrote a devotion. My ultimate plan was to leave by 7:30am which is before my granddaughter wakes in order to get home by 8pm.
My son had set his alarm so that they could be awake to send me off. Everything was going according to plan when my wife, who was sending her dog with me, couldn’t find the medicine he takes to calm him down (because I didn’t want him trying to climb on my lap while driving). All in all, I was packed and ready to leave by 7:40am. So, being the time anal person I am, I initiated the hug-leave process.
We hugged and I thanked them for having us. I hugged and kissed my wife (and threatened to pack her dog in the trunk if he didn’t behave) but, after the early morning mental planning process I did, I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t say all the nice words that I intended to say. I took off.
“And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 19:17-19 ESV
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there," - Acts 20:22 ESV
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:1-4 ESV
I am a mess. Some days, it seems no matter how hard I try, I still revert to thinking of myself first and others second. My prayer and hope is that God will continue to work on me.
