Goodbye

I've never been very good at saying goodbye. Apparently God thinks now is a good time for me to get better at it because I've been having to do it a lot lately. Our friends and youth minister who we've worked with for 7 years are moving to Kansas. Hubbie's long-time childhood friend and his wife are moving to Taiwan. My closest friend here in town with whom I share a deep heart connection is getting married and moving out of state. Of course we're happy about all of these exciting transitions our friends get to make but being the ones left behind isn't exactly fun.

I'm also stepping out of my position counseling at Living Hope so I can add a second day counseling with Lincoln Pastoral. It just makes sense to not make the drive anymore with gas prices being what they are. Plus I'll be able to spend more time at home with my kids which is where my heart is primarily invested at anyway.

It's been harder than I thought it would be to say goodbye to my clients there. For some of my long-term clients, although our relationship has been professional, it's been intimate. Sharing dark corners of your life with someone brings an element of vulnerability to even the most clinical of relationships.

I've been a little surprised at how awkward many of my "last sessions" have been. I'd gotten so used to saying, "See you in a week," that I wasn't sure what to say instead. "Have a good life" seems just a bit too final. But for many, it will be the last time I see them in this life.

Part of the privilege I've had in working at Living Hope is that many of my clients are Christians. It has been such a blessing to be able to pray with and for my clients, wrestle with tough spiritual issues and consult the Holy Spirit together when we're stuck.

As awkward as it is saying goodbye to these clients it's comforting to know that the Great Counselor is still very much a part of their lives. I feel a sense of peace in knowing that perhaps the next time I see these people, I won't see broken, wounded souls. I'll see them made new, complete, whole. Free from trauma, liberated from binding habits, made perfect by the blood of Christ.

"See you in a new life..."