I need to remind myself of the following post that I ran back in June, since we are finally returning home this week after 5 months of training. Though I missed “home,” God blessed me with new friends to love on while in Arkansas. And new friends mean new “backside moments”…
The Bible teaches that there is a time and purpose for everything under Heaven (Ecclesiastes chapter 3). The older I get, the more I realize and embrace the time and purpose for each backside that I encounter…
Besides being a mother, I am a military wife and mentor. These two priveleges have given me countless opportunities to make new friends and to talk about God and His Word with women all over the United States.
Unfortunately, at some point our mentoring season ended or my husband’s assignment in that city ended. Though I still remain in contact with these women via phone calls, Facebook, or Skype, I still had to hug them, say “see you later,” and watch as they turned and walked away.
These bittersweet backside moments left me wondering:
Did I encourage her?
Did I help or comfort her in any way?
Did my friendship bring glory to you, God?
A One Degree moment:
I love someone’s backside and the change it symbolizes. I am learning to embrace “see you laters” and am finding freedom from the need for life to remain the same.
Life just isn’t going to remain the way it is now. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to help my heart adjust, so I can embrace what God is doing now.
Next time you are watching a friend walk away, I encourage you to pause. Rejoice over their backside and remember that life will not remain the same. Yes, moving and change sometimes stinks. Yes, I will bawl my eyes out as I watch my children graduate or move away. But our children and the people in our life will change, and so will we.
May we allow God to help us embrace change whenever we encounter a “backside moment.”
“There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on earth… A right time to cry and another to laugh.. A right time to embrace and to part… A right time to hold on and another to let go…”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4a, 5b, 6b The Message
Can I pray with you today?
Lord, we thank you for the people you have placed in our lives. Help us to be vessels of your love, patience, and kindness in the lives of those around us. Help us to bring you glory while engaging in the relationships you have given to us. Lord, fill the hearts of those who are experiencing rejection, loss, or loneliness today with your perfect love and acceptance. Help them to know that they are never truly alone. I ask that you would bring someone to love and encourage them as they journey through this life. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This post is dedicated to Tricia, Kayleigh, and to the precious teen mommies I had the privelege of getting to know while in Arkansas. Your testimony of God’s grace in your life inspires me. Our time was brief, but the kindness you showed me was a tremendous blessing. Thank you for the memories, and please remember that tornadoes are serious business…get in your bath tubs. Ahem…
So we improvised while in AR. Who needs blackout drapes, a clothes basket, or a pan lid, when you have foil, duct tape, gift bags, and a cookie sheet on hand… Being creative is fun(ny)!
I’ll miss you Tracy!! I’m so thankful for your friendship!!
So sad it was so short!!! It’s not good bye its ” Ill see ya soon 😉 ” We will miss you pretty lady!!!!
It was short! I am so glad we got to meet–your story inspires me. I look forward to hearing where God takes you, so please keep in touch!
I will miss you too Tricia. Thank you for responding to my “tweet.” You are the best!
Tracy, I didn’t want to leave you at She Speaks! That was a backside moment for me. You’re a kindred spirit to me. Thank you for writing about such a helpful topic… it happens a lot to all of us. ~Blessings, Amy
I know Amy, the weekend was so short. When you start hosting a conference up at your place I will attend, ok? 🙂 Yes, we all have had to say good bye at some point. It is tough… but what a blessing to love and to be loved by someone, yes? Blessings sister 🙂
Tracy,
You encourage everyone that crosses your path no matter how long or short the interaction. Meeting you at She Speaks was one of the highlights of my weekend last year. You love well.
Blessings to you!
Dawn
Thank you Dawn. Your friendship and support bless me as well. Thankful that God crossed our paths in NC! Blessings sister 🙂