We Said, 'Hello'. We Said, 'Goodbye'

Okay, strange title. What I'm putting down here reminds me of the mid-80s when Phil Collins started on his solo career, and put out this album (yes, vinyl or cassette - no Cds). The reason it comes to mind is that last night (Sunday, June 5, 2005), the high school Upper Room youth group gathered at my place for the 'Senior Salute'. This is our annual party, as you might imagine, to celebrate our graduating high school seniors. The underclass students contribute to the meal, bringing side dishes, salads, and desserts. Most dressed up for the specialness of the occassion. We ate chips and salsa, dipped into the vege tray, and drank a lot of soda (yes, not pop, soda) - it was so hot! Then we gathered in my backyard, and I introduced the evening's main event, talking about the seniors and giving them something of a care package (a gift bag filled with stuff that might come in handy in college, as well as some fun stuff). What college freshman doesn't like microwave popcorn? After I got my say concerning each freshman, I opened up the proverbial floor to everyone else so they could share their favorite thoughts and memories concerning our graduating seniors.

It was a good night. Good stories. Good laughter. We ended with a circle of prayer, where any who wanted could lift up in prayer each of seniors. Yes, it was good.

But I have to say, for me, it's totally bitter/sweet. I really don't like goodbyes. Hey, they're a reality. But I don't like them. Of the five seniors we celebrated last night, two had been in our youth ministry since they were in 6th grade - for the mathematically challenged, that means they were with me for seven years. One didn't really start participating until she was in high school. Our one guy didn't choose to come out until he was a junior. And our last girl is a German exchange student who showed up with her host 'sister' (herself a sophomore) when we had our Fall Kick-off last September. Their time in our ministry runs the gamut, but for each of them, I feel a sense of 'hello/goodbye'. I feel like each of them just joined us, and now, all of the sudden, they're gone. Our exchange student alluded to the sense that she would never see us again after she graduated, and went back to Germany. However, during our prayer time, one of my youth leaders reminded us all that even if we don't get to see each other in this life, we do have heaven to look forward to.

Morbid? Not at all. It may be 'hello/goodbye' for now, but for us as Christians, we don't ever need to really say 'goodbye' but instead, until we meet again. I will probably get to see most of these graduates again, at least for a couple of years, but as they graduate from college, get jobs (probably away from the Philly area), get married, etc., etc., the opportunity to see them will become less and less frequent. It is the bitter/sweet dynamic of my job, my labor. But it's worth it. My work is helping these students come to, know, and grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ - a relationship that has both personal, and community dynamics. It's exciting. It's worth the 'hello/goodbye'. I will miss these seniors. I love them. And I pray that they will grow in faith and surpass me in a lifetime of service to our Lord Jesus. I can't wait to catch up with them in the future!