saying goodbye

In a word, saying goodbye to those we love just sucks. Whether it's for a day, a week or for longer, I do not enjoy goodbyes. YUCK!
My brother and sister-in-law are leaving in the morning for Ft. Collins, Colorado and a fresh start. While I am so excited to see what God is going to do for them, there is just something about watching your niece and nephew cry their eyes out that makes you die a little inside.
I praise God for perspective. Just over a year ago, I was walking their road. We were leaving a good job, tons of friends, family and church who adored us and a beautiful home to come to a place where things were VERY unknown. Isn't it amazing how God brings us through things so that we can have grace for those who go through it later? I am so glad that I walked the path so that Matt and Chris knew that, while I didn't quite understand WHY they were leaving, I understood the NEED to go.
God doesn't call us to something without expecting a sacrifice. Whether that be just the obedience to go, or the sacrifice of time, money, energy or pride - nothing we do can be done without God teaching us something through it. Sometimes that totally stinks, and other times it is the best reward.
So, just know that if you are walking down a path you think no one else has traveled, look around. God may be putting someone in your path that has been down that way before you. Listen to their advice. Listen to what God has shown them. It may not be what you want to hear, but it will help with perspective. It may even give you the grace to walk through it. You never know, you just may be that person for someone else. Don't be afraid to say that you were mad at God or that you stopped talking to Him for awhile....people need to hear that. They need you to be REAL to them.
My nephew is really mad at God right now. He was yelling tonight that he didn't understand why God would do this and that God was mean and unfair. I told him that he has the right to feel that way - but to not let his heart be hardened, but to let it draw him closer to God. God understands when we are mad at Him. He just wants us to learn what He is teaching us. It's in the times that I am the maddest at God that I draw closer to Him. I am SEEKING the reason and it makes me come closer in to Him.
Anyway, I hope that all makes sense. I came right home tonight and blogged it so that I wouldn't forget what I wanted to say. I wrote this on Alyson's blog, but I think it pertains to all of us right now...."Don't be discouraged by the NOW, but be encouraged by what is to COME."
Keep us in your prayers. We are really going through the ringer right now. Business is not well and for the first time, we are seriously thinking of closing it. BUT, I am trying to be encouraged by the "what is to come." It just needs to happen soon..... Please God, we are asking for a miracle right now!