Summertime. Vacation sights and traveling. Being away for awhile. We used to send post cards. Do you remember? “Wish you were here!” We sent those words as a standard closing knowing that we might even arrive at the post card destination before the words were read. “WYWH!!!” Now we send emails with digital pictures attached or post on a social site and so the race to beat the post card home has passed into yesteryear. I wonder how often we really think about the sincerity of that vacation benediction when we post it or write it. It was meant to be a vague reference of missing someone and a twinge of lonely. That is its significance in our hearts when we know the time interval of the reunion is measured in days or a week, maybe two. What is its significance when we know the time interval is measured in three months, one-half year, or longer. Do the words still float off the fingertips onto a keyboard or cell phone pad or do they then accompany a palpable gnawing ache in the heart? Does WYWH ever mean WIWT? The person away from home has usually accepted the necessity of a brief absence from the person still at home. otherwise they would not have went. Subtract briefness, does it change the equation?
Acceptance of necessity does somewhat erase an elongated time interval. But without God sharing hope in our hearts of the truths of His economy of sacrifice, are there times we would close with, “Having great time. Wish I Was There.” Sometimes it is a realization of calling that beckons us back from the wallow of self pity and entitlement. Sometimes it is feeling ashamed of our feelings. This time it is missing you with more than a twinge of lonely, but having full confidence that God is ever present and supplies His grace to meet our every need.
Does absence make the heart grow fonder? You bet!
*sniff, sniff* Thanks for your transparency!
Love
Sarah
Love your writing style. Wish I were there… 🙂
WIWT at that BEAUTIFUL waterfall!
We miss you too and SO appreciate your messages of hope and encouragement. Love you both…..a lot.
Pressing on,
Lynn & Ronda
Great picture! Is it possible to feel all the the same time: “Wish I was there”, “Wish you were here”, and “Glad you are there”? I’m convinced it’s possible, because it’s how I’m feeling now. Love you both!
Thanks for the beautiful picture! We love you and keep you in our hearts and prayers!!