The “Good” in Good-Byes
My mother in-law, Nancy Shackelford, quoted to me a saying she recently read, “I’m learning to recognize the “good” in good-bye.” When she read that to me, I had an epiphany concerning certain things that were happening in my life.
I’ve never been a “good-bye” kind of person. I hate them; they can be very painful. Some people have the ability to handle them well, but not I! I really dislike them, and by doing so, I’ve left a few open areas in my life that need healthy closures.
Good-byes are simply life’s transitions. And until we recognize the importance of embracing transitions, we remain frozen in the lifetime of our transitions. We have to allow the good-byes to do their work. Closure and finality are necessary components to life’s progression. And the key is to recognize all the “GOOD” that will come from the good-bye.
Life must go on. I’ve realized that we all have to grow up and move on. I’ve realized that not all relationships remain the same and that not all close friendships remain close. And there are times when a healthy good-bye is necessary. New seasons in our lives cannot afford to be tainted by the residue of old seasons. We should leverage the wisdom and knowledge of the old season without allowing ourselves to wallow in it.
So, what is it that you’re holding on to that needs a healthy good-bye? It’s ok… let it go and try to see the “good” in the good-bye. I sure have. I promise you, there is life after good-byes! God’s plan for our lives is always bigger and better than what we feel we need to hold on to.
So true Pastor, when we refuse to say good bye to somethings or some people, we stay stuck in the middle of a proverbial abyss. It’s healthy to for both parties to part ways and BE HAPPY…
I need to say good bye to junk food. I have always had to say good bye since I was a little kid since I grew up as a military child. I remember writing my friends letters all of the time and how we grew up in that type of atmosphere. I think the more complacent I get the harder it is to say goodbye, but I am growing to understand that the Matthew 11:12″the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” In order to advance I have to let go of the past and take risks.
Awesome blog! I barely use the Good -Byes due to the pain it bares, so I generally stick with “see you later”. However, after learning the true origin of this word, it just convinced me to use it and feel great about it. You see – I learned that this word originated in the 1500s from a word known as “godbwye”. It is really a contraction of “God Be With You”. Even God is in the middle of this life transitioning word. This is AWESOME pastor…..Keep the blogs coming. AND GUESS WHAT!? ……. GOOD – BYE ….. LOL 😀
I agree that not many people like good byes but it is true that they are necessary. Some relationships are just for a season in which we learn and experience something that will take you to the next level. We must ask God what things we need to say goodbye too.
I know that its hard to say good-bye but we need to let them go so they can get their lives together.
I agree when my great aunt died it was so hard for me to say goodbye to the women I loved. God helped me overcome my tears and also we must ask him what are the objects that we have to say goodbye to.
As it is written ..”Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” I need a healthy goodbye from ME! lol.. My fear is for the Lords anointing to run out and me to be ruined. Grace, grace,grace is what holds me together.
As you said sir good-bye are transitions. We can choose to make it a good or a bad bye. when close people leave us, we most take it and believe that is for the best. God gives and take aways. We most know that everything is in the sovereign purpose of God, we just got to be obedient to Him.
I love reading the responses to your blogs. They help me keep focused
on the people in my life now. They are in my life for a season but they
are in my heart forever. I have had a lot of good-byes in my life. Yes
there has been pain, but also a lesson of a loving God who will always
be there to love, comfort and gives me great strength. I know that I
will see them when we meet at the Pearly Gates!
I love reading your responses!!!
In a word…limitations. I know that there are none…I’m wiggling my way out of the one’s I have created in my mind.
People, circumstances, and paradigms are attached to the perception of limitations. The same is true for the reality of freedom freedom. There is no other direct path to freedom and liberty except through Jesus…the Holy spirit will bring the right people, circumstances, and paradigms to fulfill God’s will in my life every day. The sum of all my days will be Glory in the highest. I am convinced.
For me, my goodbye’s are letting go of those past things or ways. How or what you used to do. Sometimes when you hold on to them, you can’t make that transition. It was so hard for me to let go of things before, but now the release of them isn’t as important as what God places in your heart or the plans he sets before me.