A Lot of Goodbyes

More than half are children.
Almost all under the age of forty.

Names we recognize.
Families we love.

A neighbors’ teenage daughter.
The husband of the girls’ teacher.
A 4 year old little boy who slept where we sleep, only a year ago.
A friend’s two brothers.

We were here for over an hour.
An hour I will never forget.

At this graveyard for missionaries and their families, Naomi and I spoke of what it means to give your life for the sake of the call. We talked about whether it was worth this sacrifice. As we spoke about the loss, we also talked about the gain: the glorious place of being in God’s divine presence for eternity!

With no hesitation we say, “I will give my life for Christ!” But sometimes it is the little things that are difficult to include in the sacrifice: comforts, time, energy, entertainment, even foods. Then the “bigger” things: friends, family, home, security. What are we willing to give up for Him? As we walked around this solemn place, Naomi said, “Mom, I didn’t realize that sometimes you have to say a lot of goodbyes for Jesus.” Over the last six months, she has learned how hard it is to say ‘goodbye’ to most everything she knows and loves – she is counting the cost and knows it is high. May she also know that it is worth it all!

Sacrifice - an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy,