Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. (2 Chronicles 21:20)
Life is full of “hellos” and “goodbyes,” isn’t it? I’m so thankful for the many friends I’ve treasured over the years. Each time we move somewhere new, it’s a bittersweet experience as we say “goodbye” to those we love and “hello” to those who will one day become our friends.
One of the most tragic things that a person can do is to leave a place to no one’s regret. If people don’t regret your departure, then that means you didn’t do a good job of investing in their lives. If no one misses you in your absence, then you haven’t truly invested yourself in anyone else’s life.
I believe that it’s so important for us to live our lives in a way that we will be missed. That’s not to say that we should encourage others to be codependent on us, but if we open ourselves up to relationships with others, then saying goodbye is naturally a difficult thing to do. I hope that, whenever you leave, there is a feeling of regret… a feeling of, “I wish he had stayed longer.”
Many of you who read these posts are friends from a different chapter of my life than the one I’m in now. To all of you, I hope you know how much I treasure your friendship. I look forward to the day when we can pick back up where we’ve left off, and I hope you know how grateful I am for your presence in my life.
Father, help me to live each day as if it matters, and give me the courage to open myself up in relationship to other people. Let me be generous with myself and so invest myself in the lives of others that we experience the joy that comes from being kindred spirits.
We have had two employees that when they left, the rest of were happy they were gone. Some of the guys were pushing a push broom get the one’s remainders out the door. Pretty sad commentary.
Wow, that is a sad commentary. I hope people don’t do that when I leave!