My words, typed and erased a dozen times, cannot express this attempt to say “Thank you”. Each try is grossly insufficient.
Besides a couple Christmas’s in between and few weekend visits, my family and I have been apart for nearly eight years. I’ve spent the last four years trying to salvage a marriage and took drastic steps to do so. I moved across the country to a state I’ve never been to. I placed my faith and trust in the people I had never met. I was not disappointed.
I’m good with routines. It is easy to go without seeing others week after week during the routine. It is easy to work, go to church, go to small group, and spend the remaining time at home. When alone for long stretches at a time, I get used to it and forget. But then I spend those late nights with you. We eat dinner and talk. I find such joy there. Upon leaving I’m suddenly overwhelmed with the reality that I’m lonely. It’s why I stay longer than I should and arrive earlier than planned.
You willingly chose to fill the hole left by my best friends and family, each so far away. You brought me into your family, let me see your flaws and your weaknesses, and let me see the face of God in the midst of your tragedy and in your daily struggle. These things that are private, like pumpkin carving and decorating the tree, or a day on the river at your parents, you asked me to join you. You’ll have no idea the profound effect those moments had on me. Even though you may feel as though life is in constant tension between hope and despair, you have been, by the grace of God, a incredible source of hope to me when looking towards the work that God is doing. You may never know, until Heaven, the weight you have lifted off of me each time I sat in your house or what great peace you put in its place.
For your unknowing service, for sitting, talking with me, and sharing your life with me, thank you. It’s something I can never return in equal measure.