That New Loathed Word

The word "airport" used to mean an anticipated journey. I remember growing up loving watching planes go up and down. We lived nearly five minutes from the airport, and it was always a treat to go sit in the “viewing” area to watch take-offs. Oh childhood, how I miss you at moments. Once I was a little older, I loved traveling and flying. The escalators, the moving walkways, and the multi-lingual signs were part of the adventure.

Then one day it all changes. Airports began to mean something so much more than fun journeys. I got an ugly taste in my mouth for airports first when I had to say goodbye to my new Serbian friends in 2012. Though I felt in my heart, the Lord wasn’t done with me there, I still had to say goodbye.

Goodbyes got worse. I spent the month of May saying goodbye to all my friends, old and new. I said goodbye to my church family who threw a sweet fellowship to wish and prayerfully send me off. My parents threw a dear goodbye with family and close friends. And then the "airport" time came... My own parents couldn’t even take me to the airport because they knew how hard it would be for all three of us. I still can’t remove the image of my Momma and pup-dog sitting on the porch waving me off as my best friend, Kelia, took me to the airport. Again there, I had to say a final farewell to them for two years.

Airports just don’t get easier. We sent off three American teams this summer at the airports rekindling all those somber memories. Then the interns left. That one was quite heavy-hearted as I gained some awesome friendships of brothers and sisters in Christ. Our final intern left a few days ago. All the airport visits just make me sick thinking about the loss of great people. Though the Internet is a gift and many of these goodbyes are just goodbyes in the flesh, I am grateful the goodbyes suck; that means I gained some stellar friends (and had deep relationships). Facetime, Skype and Facebook have all been a blessing to be able to stay in touch with them frequently. 

What I have realized much more realistically is that none of these locations an airplane can take me are my home. Home is not a location this world can offer. 

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:14 Amen

I can’t wait until Heaven where there will be no more goodbyes  EVER!