Leaving a place I love
For new addresses, new countries, and the goodbyes in between.
Also for saying goodbye · leaving home · leaving friends · moving away · farewell · homesick · last day · leaving church · miss my city · bittersweet · goodbyes
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
I thank my God whenever I remember you,
When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.
A prayer
Original writing, not a quotation of Scripture.
Lord, this place has been home. I know which bakery opens early and which friend I can call at midnight, and now I have to say goodbye to all of it. When Paul left the Ephesians, they wept together on the shore.
Let my goodbyes be honest like that. Thank you for every person and every year here. Keep these friendships alive across the distance, and prepare the place I'm going to before I arrive.
In Jesus' name, Amen.