If you’ve read much of my stuff before, you will know that I am a big cheerleader of the John 10:10 life. Of course, I believe that Jesus died ultimately for us to spend eternity with him – no tears, no pain, no death, no sickness, no lack, ever, ever again!! Do you ever think about that day? It’s going to be incredible (that word doesn’t do it justice) I, for one, will do cartwheels, who’s joining me? 

But, I also believe that Jesus died for us to have an adventure before that day comes. If not, he’d have whisked us off to heaven on the day we said ‘yes’ to him. If you’ve ever watched adventure movies, you’ll know that the adventurous life isn’t a life without storms, fighting or drama – it’s not just about the romance, the happy ending and that ‘at last’ kiss that we girls long for (Pride and Prejudice comes to my mind!). 

The point is, it’s full, exciting and not dull. I think it should be the same way for those of us who have put our faith in the Son of God, in the creator of the whole universe who chose to live in us, by his Spirit. Beware though, the adventure might mean you have to make saying, ‘goodbye’ a regular feature in your life. For us, we have had that life, and, to a lesser degree, still do. Our family lives in the South and we live in the North East because this is where God has brought us for our adventure to continue.

We began the ‘goodbye’ journey back in the late 90’s when we first moved to Tanzania with our six and seven-year-olds in tow. Everyone was fine until the moment came to leave for the airport, then we all lost it! It was tough. 

When we went back to Tanzania in 2014, we had to say ‘goodbyes’ to our kids and their spouses and, to be honest, every time, got a little harder!  Of course, modern technology made it easier for us to be in touch, plus the fact that we were mostly only away for a few months at a time, but even so, it was still difficult. 

We’ve just returned from a few days at Center Parcs with our kids and grandkids, and it prompted this blog as I couldn’t help but remember the following story! 

One of the last times we said goodbye to our kids was around 2018 and we’d just had a great few days at center parcs, and within a few days we would be back in Africa. The tears came before I’d even got to the car. It was tough. However, when we landed in Tanzania,  I felt God talking to me about this side (the goodbyes) of the adventure and that it’s all part of it. If we’d never said goodbye to familiarity back in 1998, we would never have experienced the 1000’s of hellos that we have since that day. 

If we want new ‘hellos’, it might mean some ‘goodbyes’. I’m not suggesting for a moment that you should all up and emigrate, (unless you want to, then do it), but I am encouraging you to find some new ‘hellos’. Ask yourself the question, when was the last time you said ‘hello’ to someone new? If it’s been a while, then I think you’re missing out. Get out there; there are a whole host of people to meet and to influence. We met and continue to meet some great people that we never knew existed, but we already know many of the people that we have met along our journey are life-long friends. Increase your circle and you will increase your life. Don’t let the thought of goodbye, hold you back. 

There are adventures to be lived.