We had spent one beautiful week in a foreign country together. The classic story of strangers turned friends. We lived it out. But it was more than just that. We heard it from multiple sources and felt it ourselves: this group was something special. We were a group with a common purpose and a common heart. We meshed well and conversation flowed easily. It was never quiet on the bus, much to my joy as I would sit near the back and listen to the general happy canter of sound around my ears. We were people at ease and people who enjoyed one another as Christian Family ought to.
We had met on Saturday and Sunday, and when it came to Friday night, the week had gone far too quickly. What's this? A week gone? So quickly? Goodbyes truly are one of the saddest things we are required to encounter here on Earth, I think.
And so we found ourselves eating supper together on Friday night. We ate, we laughed, we almost cried (if not beyond "almost"). We shared our week-long (and sometimes longer) journeys. We breathed in, together, the sweet air of unity in the Spirit. It was beautiful.
Then, we were reminded that with the early flight and all the diverging destinations, we would be parting sooner than it appeared. So, the goodbyes began and continued into the next day at the airports. And so, as "Papi" helped us head in the right direction once we reached the states and I bemoaned the parting, he said this to me:
"At the very least, we'll see each other again in Heaven."
At which I had to smile at least a little through my sense of loss.
"If that's the 'very least'..." I said. ...then we've got it pretty good.
Truly, this is the guarantee we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ when we part. It is sad for the moment. Terribly so. But at most, we must wait the rest of this earthly lifetime and then what? Eternity together. An endless time to wait, it might seem, and yet barely a moment in the grand scheme.
Here's to our reunion, my brothers and sisters. May it be here on earth for our present encouragement and pleasure, and if not, see you in the awesomeness of His glory.
At the very least.
At the very least.
