Saying goodbye is hard sometimes.  Today as I was driving, while running errands, I noticed that nature was saying goodbye to summer.  Instead of a grey, sad, display of emotion I saw a bright, brilliant colorful celebration of change.  This summer here in Chicago was one of the best ever.  The weather was pleasant, the temperatures were comfortable.  I really do hate to see this summer end.  And now as we do say goodbye to summer we get to enjoy exuberant colors.  Nature knows how to say goodbye gracefully.

In life there are times we have to say goodbye to people.  Some move away, others go to college, some go back to their homes far away after a nice visit, and then there are those in our life that just move on.  Some you say goodbye to knowing again you will see them, and yet others you may never see again.  Those can be the hardest to say goodbye to.  It is in those times we have an opportunity to display grace and understanding or we can choose something darker that can hurt.

When Jesus left the face of the earth he left in a cloud.  Not a bad way to travel I must say.  I would joke that He flew “Standby”, but actually He had a reservation.  When He said goodbye He gave us a promise.

“What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world. These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud.” (Act 1:8-9 MSG)

As you can see saying goodbye, though hard, can be good.  In nature the earth rest during winter.  Getting ready for a new year, a new season of life.  When Jesus said goodbye He gave us a promise of the Holy Spirit to help us minister and live with power.  We should learn to say goodbye gracefully, and accept the change.

(The image above has an embedded link to the song by Skillet on YouTube.  Click on it)