My family is good at saying goodbye.
My father served as an officer in the U.S. Army for nearly thirty years. I’m a full-grown adult now with children of my own, yet it’s still hard to keep count of the places I lived, the bedrooms I decorated, and the friends I made and lost along the way. To this day, the screeching sound of packing tape and the dusty smell of cardboard boxes flips my stomach with terror. Eventually, my older sisters went to college—one to Pennsylvania, the other to Texas. We’re all spread out now, with families of our own, disparate branches of a wide-spread family tree. Goodbyes are more complicated than ever. But we have an old stand-by to help us through. Any time we have to say goodbye, we hug, then say, “See you Tuesday!”
The phrase comes from a Jerry Clower skit called “The Long Goodbye.” I’ve never seen the sketch, but I’ve been told it went something like this: A big family stands around a departure gate at an airport making a big scene, sobbing and crying and carrying on, telling their father goodbye. They’re holding onto his arms, dabbing their faces with handkerchiefs, and bemoaning the time they’ll spend apart. Then he walks toward the jet bridge and, with a big wave and a smile, looks back and says, “See you Tuesday!” He has a thick southern accent, so it comes out “Tews-dee.” Calm and happy, the family waves back and then turns to leave. We see they’ve been engaged in a histrionic, over-reaction, sobbing for no reason. The goodbye is no big deal. “Hello” is right around the corner.
If Jesus’s resurrection mystified His followers, we shouldn’t be surprised if it baffles us today. John’s account of that morning—the quiet pandemonium, the sprint through Jerusalem, the empty tomb, the pile of linen, some in a mess, some carefully folded—rendered the disciples so afraid that next we see, they’re huddled in a locked room, terrified of what might come next (John 20:1–20). The story’s trajectory made no sense to them, despite Isaiah’s prophecy and Jesus’s words. Their story wasn’t over, and neither is ours.
The old prayer depicts a rhythm to our faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” Goodbyes are full of sorrow. But thanks to Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection, “goodbye” will never have the last word. That should give us joy and courage to stand with our eyes lifted. Though we have not seen Him, we believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible joy (1Peter 1:8).
The glorious hello is just around the corner.
Leave a Reply
65 thoughts on "Joy of Ev’ry Longing Heart Day 20"
❤️
❤️
B
Congrats!
❤️
“The goodbye is no big deal. The ‘Hello’ is right around the corner.” – AMEN
Read with my family – good Devo tonight
❤️
So sorry to hear about your struggle. When my baby girl was 8 months old, I was in the middle of chemo treatments for breast cancer. I got healing but it returned again this year and my daughter is 3 now. The best thing you can do is keep your eyes lifted up to heaven, no matter what comes.
“You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice, you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy”. I want to give God’s praise for this verse has been fulfilled in my relationship with my mom today. After months and years of suffering from a tense relationship, with the climax of her persecution on my faith, the Lord rescued and restored me. He turned my sorrow into joy, my tears into awe and thanksgiving. He defended me and my faith through another family friend whom my mom looked up to. I still don’t know how He did all this, at the right timing, in the middle of a cold war between mom and I, but glory be to Him- El Roi, who sees all, who collects our tears in His bottle. Father, thank you for healing my most difficult relationship. Though there is more healing and healthy boundary establishing to navigate, but I have confidence and hope that God will show me how. For the Lord is my cup of blessing, the boundaries have fallen for me into pleasant places. I will bless the Lord who counselled me (to stay quiet and take all the persecution), who enabled me to do what He counselled for it was so difficult, even when my thoughts at night were overwhelmingly troubling, He is my salvation. Glory be to Him forever and ever.
♥️
❤️
❤️
Alexandra Fritzler praying for your health!
Praise God Mari! Congratulations!!
What amazing verses. I am filled with wonder again at this thought I have read this many times throughout my life. Sisters I come to you in deep need of prayer, many of you know my story of infertility and finally receiving our answer to prayer 9 months ago in our son through IVF. Today I found out we may be expecting again, without intervention this time, and I’m honestly terrified of going through the unknown waiting period and apprehensive about how I can divide my attention between a baby and a toddler. I never thought this was possible. Thank you
Having a one month old – the reading in John 16 really stuck out to me – how we don’t remember the suffering, we only feel the joy. I long to find this type of blind faith and love and joy in Jesus.
I’m writing “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” down and putting it somewhere I can be reminded of this constantly.
@Alexandra Fritzler, I’m praying for your healing! Being a new mom is hard enough, without having health issues too.
I love the readings today. (well everyday) I long for Christmas to be about Jesus. I’m hoping that I can be an example to my husbands kids who are not believers in any way shape or form. They have not been raised with God. Their mom was following Wiccan at one time. They are good kids, but no faith. They are privileged kids which makes it even harder. It would be amazing to see them turn to God!
I love your longing heart for Christ to be glorified throughout the world! In His presence we are made holy and blameless! He is working all things out in His timing. Jesus is the best gift to be unwrapped this Christmas and may many be blessed with the living water as the Father reveals himself to many this year.
I love your longing heart for Christ to be glorified throughout the world! In His presence we are made holy and blameless!
I long for tradition. For simplicity. For beauty. I long to know what it was like for those first followers of Jesus who I have come to love through the ancient scriptures and writings of the early church fathers. As I peel back the layers of what I grew up thinking Christmas was, all the jolly joy of a bearded man in a red suit falls away to a Savior born in grave clothes. I see a miracle born baby to a Most Blessed Virgin Mary. I see the glimmer of a perfectly designed manger scene give way to a dark cave where Jesus was actually born. All the seemingly worthy attempts to create a human made Christmas gives way to our God who gave us the Light we actually needed. The only Light that would save us from the darkness we know is there. The most glorious gift under the Christmas tree is the Light of Christ Himself. The Messiah who shines, so we can see God who saves our souls. We possess the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit sent from heaven that the “angels long to catch a glimpse of” (1 Peter 1:12). We have something precious, more valuable than all the gold in the world, something even the angels wonder at! So, what is my longing for this Advent? Holiness. That I, we, would live our lives as if this was actually true. Because it is. “Therefore, when you have prepared your minds for action, by being self-controlled, put your hope in the grace that will be brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). May our souls be purified in the Light of Christ, being obedient to the truth, and love one another fervently from the heart (reading on in 1 Peter through verse 22). May our lives be lived with holy hearts, because He is holy. No matter what we suffer now, there is miraculous joy that covers it all. Selah, until… Maranatha. Amen.
Thankful for this reminder today. Looking forward to that glorious hello someday.
For today, I’m trying to do my best to find joy in the midst of struggle with my health as a new mom. This is my first Christmas with my 8 month old and I’ve never felt worse health wise. Trying to choose joy in the midst of the unknowns and difficulties. God is so good! ❤️
Thankful for this reminder today. Looking forward to that glorious hello someday.
Praying for you.
Praying for you and your family during this time. May you all know the peace that comes from knowing Jesus. I pray that your little foster baby will know your prayers and mama will know your prayers also. in Jesus name amen.
The GLORIOUS hello is just around the corner! Perhaps Today. I cannot wait! Happy Friday sweet SRT sisters! I did it!!! I FINISHED and completed my Child Development class last night and took the FINAL early this morning! AND it looks like I did well, only missing 3 questions. I won’t know my grade yet, but I passed! Last night my professor told me how proud she was of me! That meant so much to me! Thank you ALL for praying for me!! Now off to work to see these beautiful little ones, the reason why I get up everyday!
These words: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” are words I’ll be putting on an index card to put up in my apartment. This is a hard time for many of us who have lost a loved one; I’ve found the last two years to be really hard for me because my family that lives out of town has been able to come in — since COVID we haven’t had our annual after Christmas gathering that my father started. The Holy Spirit, family in the area, — my son and d-i-l and sister — my clients’ family (who are like second families to me) and friends have been there to help me through it. I don’t know what this year holds with all that’s going on between my sister and nephew and I plus my son and d-i-l are possibly taking a babymoon; I have a friend who has no family and I may be spending it with her or I maybe menagerie sitting — my son, Andrew, and d-i-l, Dani, have 3 dogs, 1 cat, multiple chickens, 2 turkeys and a hog or two — and if they go on their babymoon I maybe out there. I do know thanks to modern technology I will be able to see my brothers via zoom. Well I’ve rambled enough and I’m sorry if I bored anyone.
Be blessed and invite someone extra to Christmas this year; you never know you might start a new tradition and make someone’s Christmas special sisters.
Can’t wait until next year — I’ll have a grandson and it’ll be his first Christmas.
See you Tuesday, live this!! One day we will see our Jesus and be with him❤️
@Thebestisyettocome: the word of the Lord can not return void – as we read today. Sending you hugs <3 be still and trust, but grieve and cry in the way you need to in this time. He's with you, friend. May the Lord be your comfort and safe and strong tower.
@Searching <3
@Lexi <3
God bless every unspoken request today. May we be filled with the knowledge and grace of His Holy Spirit. Thank you, Jesus.
❤️️
Just now getting to this today – THEBESTISYETTOCOME: Just read your post and the time indicates you may still have him a few more minutes… praying God’s peace in and around YOU as well as this baby’s bio-family. Praying for your heart to be comforted and your mind be reassured that Jesus is not leaving this baby for second. While your God is grieving with you, I hope you can be encouraged at the same time that you’ve played the role in this baby’s life that he now has someone who will be praying for him and for his bio-family every day. I pray that if they do not know our savior, that through this experience they may come to know Him and the fullness of life He offers them- I encourage you to pray for their salvation and for God to so fill their hearts. No one is beyond His reach… still, lifting your heart up today as you process this loss. You are not alone…
I feel so blessed to get to spend each day with you shes, sharing our lives with each other, studying the Word together, praying for each other.
Hugs to all ❤️
9 Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.
I shall rest securely. We are secure, we shall no longer fear. Our Saviour is just that, our Savior from fear to rest securely in His love. And this gives me joy, no matter my circumstances, I will have peace and joy. Comfort and Joy! Hallelujah!
It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than 10 days away! It looks a lot different for us these days being empty nesters miles and miles away from family. It is quiet here and not much going on the day of Christmas. Oh how I miss the days of old, watching my only son each year get so excited to see that Santa had come! If only we could infuse that excitement and sense of joy in our kids these days to the awe and joy of our Lord and Savior that has come, and will one day come again! I feel like we are in a losing battle in that arena. Even though I raised my son in church and every Christmas Eve was a church service, I don’t necessarily see the impact. Yet, I’m trusting my God, the Same God, that He promises if we raise them in His truth it will not return void. I am praying for all of our lost sheep that we love, that the prodigal children will come home!
@thebestisyettocome I am sad with you that the outcome you wanted did not happen. Prayers that you are strong this morning and have peace that God is in final control, and that He is wrapping His arms around this precious child.
@LynnfromAlabama Prayers for You and Jack as you navigate the situation, that God gives you wisdom.
Prayers for all the request yesterday as I read. Love my fellow She’s.
♥️
❤️
Amen ❤️
I said goodbye to a loved one just a few days ago. I was reminded in that same moment of the day that I know will come again! Thank you Lord for rescuing us and giving us hope for eternal life.
I am comforted being reminded that my story is not over!
Praying the Lord fills you with His Spirit and His peace. ❤️❤️
See you Twes-dee. ❤️
I need to meditate on this truth and not let anxiety of the unknown of life creep in.
❤️
What I find myself longing for this holiday season …
JOY amidst suffering in this broken world —
Jesus is the Joy of every longing heart!
PEACE amidst divisions and anger and bitterness — Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
HOPE of a life lived well in and for Christ and in the promised fulfillment of seeing Him face-to-face — Jesus who began this good work in me will bring it to completion!
REST in this busy world — I find my rest in Jesus and by trusting Him, His character, and His promises.
Praise from His lips — As I continue to obey Him, He will reward me with His pleasure
Christ to be GLORIFIED & WORSHIPED throughout the world!
q
Love the German saying ♥️.
This is such an anchor for us as believers. The past year and a half was one full of transition and change and adjustment. But the one person I can count on to never change is Jesus. My hope is secure. He will never snatch me out of His hand. Nothing can separate us from his love. My salvation is secure and heaven is my future. Nothing can change that!! Thank you Lord for Jesus, for your unchanging character, your faithfulness, and for the hope of heaven! Have a great day everyone!! Headed up to NYC today, would love your prayers for safety :)
So thankful for this truth <3 My family has a similar funny memory when my parents dropped me off at college my freshman year, there was a candlelight service on move-in day and afterwards all the parents and students were crying and saying their goodbyes. Since I was playing college field hockey, I had my first home game that upcoming Saturday. While everyone around us was crying, my parents and I were cheerfully saying "See ya Saturday!" What comfort and joy that we WILL see Jesus face to face for eternity.
Hello! See you next Tuesday! Amen
I loved this message ❤️ Have a wonderful day everyone!
Christ is coming back for me, and for all of us who believe! What more do we need to know? Thank you Lord.
THEBESTISYETTOCOME – praying for all, comfort for your sadness, protection for foster baby and wisdom, guidance & capabilities for bio mom.
LINDA – praying for your surgery this morning
CARA P – ❤️ so sorry for your loss
EMILY SHEAFFER – praying for financial and other needs of the cleaning lady, relief from pain
MICHELLE PATIRE – Thank you! you made my day
I need some powerful prayers this morning pls, the judge decided to reunify my foster baby with his bio. I have four more hours with him. Please pray I would be at peace, no tears, and that this morning would be full of grace in every way. This devo is so encouraging as I believe the Lord has shared with me that my foster baby’s & my story is not over! ❤️
Praying right now for you @thebestisyettocome. May God’s peace overwhelm you this morning and you know without a shadow of a doubt that he is in complete control. That he loves your beautiful foster baby more than any human heart ever could. May there be joy in the heartache and faith in the power of God’s redemption in this moment.
❤️
Thank you Marianne Reuter in Portuguese we have this unique word for “missing” some por someone SAUDADE as a foreigner I live in a permanent state of saudade … love the seeing again perspective Merry Christmas to you
“The glorious hello is just around the corner.” ❤
“ John 20:31 (CSB): But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
That is the reason we can all say “See you Tuesday!”
Thank you God for pursuing us and redeeming us! Amen
We rejoice despite our trials, sorrow and grief. We rejoice because of the surety we find in Christ. Our salvation is sure. We are being guarded by God’s power for it. We rejoice for He will not abandon us. Never a goodbye for He is always with us.
Beautifully written. In German we say „Auf Wiedersehen“ for goodbye, which – translated word by word – means something like „to a seeing again“.
Yes, even if we have to part with loved ones here on earth, there will be a „seeing again“.
Beautifully written. In German we say „Auf Wiedersehen“ for goodbye, which – translated word by word – means something like „to a seeing again“.
Amen
I‘m on my way to say my last goodbye to my grandma right now. This reminds me of our hope, there WILL be a hello someday! Thank you!
And thank you Jesus.
I‘m on my way to say my last goodbye to my grandma right now. This reminds me of our hope, there WILL be a hello someday! Thank you!
Though we have not seen Him, we believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible joy (1Peter 1:8).
BUT GOD..
A tomorrow, ‘one day soon’ carrying the hope of my heart will be glorious indeed..
I believe.
I know.
I trust.
I hope.
I wait.
BUT GOD..❤
AMEN.
Happy Friday dear hearts, so lovingly wrapped in hugs and prayer requests lifted.. ❤