Look at the Birds

Published: May 17, 2022, midnight

b'A friend changing schools. A sibling getting married. A family member moving to another time zone. It\\u2019s hard when people we care about leave the rhythms of our everyday lives. Even if we\\u2019re happy for them, even if we know the change will be good for them, it can still leave us feeling like part of our lives is missing. Yet God\\u2019s love and goodness remain. So how does God meet us in these times? And how can we lean into His help?\\nMourn the losses. I\\u2019ve found that it helps me to take some time to be alone with God and process the things that I will miss when the person is gone. From the big thingsto the small things, God cares about all of it. As I continue to tell Him about the losses, the Holy Spirit reminds me that God is with me, grieving my hurts alongside me. Sometimes the sadness feels like too much for me to hold, and in these moments, it\\u2019s been such a comfort to know that Jesus can hold all my sorrow (Isaiah 53:4).\\nNotice the fears. Another thing I\\u2019ve started doing is letting myself consider what about this change makes me feel uneasy. \\u201cWill the other person be okay? Will I be okay? Will our relationship fall apart?\\u201d As I notice each of my fears, I can bring these to Jesus. So much is out of my control, but nothing is out of His. God helps me remember that He will continue to provide, to draw us to Himself, and to show us His goodness and love.\\nAcknowledge the envy. Sometimes, I feel envious when I am the one left behind while others get to do something new and exciting. But I can bring this envy to God and tell Him how I\\u2019m feeling, and even ask Him to give me a glimpse of what He\\u2019s doing in my life in this season. As I come to Him, He reminds me that He is trustworthy to guide me in good paths (Psalm 23:3).\\nFind ways to connect. When I look to the future, it helps me feel more hopeful when I consider ways I can be intentional about staying connected with the people I love. When something makes me think of them, like a song or a joke or a pretty tree, I can tell them. I can send letters, messages, or packages. Maybe we can find a new rhythm, like having a phone or video call once a week. In the Bible, we see that Christians often wrote letters to each other, sharing good news and bad news, asking for help and advice, encouraging each other, and expressing their love for one another and their desire to see each other again. \\u2022 Hannah Howe\\n\\u2022 Does one of these four sections stick out to you? What caught your attention?\\nSurely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life\\u2026 Psalm 23:6a (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nMatt.6.25-Matt.6.34|2Cor.9.6-2Cor.9.8'