If you ever moved away, or you're about to move, across the state, country, or ocean, you've probably experienced a lot of hurt and discomfort moving away from your friends and family. Even if moving away is for short-term (whether a month, a semester, a year or four years) the thought of leaving everyone and everything you've known may be the scariest thing you've ever done. You know that people will change (and so will you) but you can't help but worry about losing the community you've built through the years and wondering if you'll be able to make new friendships where you're going. Why do we all worry about this? Because we're all human, and as humans, we all have the need for community, whether you realize it or not.
I want you to know that it's okay to have thoughts and fears of change, but if you allow your fear to keep you from doing something scary, like moving away, then you'll never grow as a person, or if you're a Christian, as a child of God. In my life I've learned that the difficult and painful moments of change were the moments I depended on God the most, and by depending on God in those times he was able to do the most work in me because I was learning to trust him completely with the circumstance (changing homes, jobs, major, school, etc.) and with the people in my life (changing friends, family, relationships, etc.)
Every time something changed God was always constant and faithful even in my changing emotions and confusion. I learned that while I do not like change, change is necessary for God to work and teach me to rely on him rather than myself or other people. Change allowed me to trust God more and to see his good work, even if I couldn't see the good.
I wrote this poem during the times of change when I prayed about moving away for college or living overseas. I know I am not the only one with these fears and I want to encourage others to not be afraid to face the fears you have about change, but to know that God is with you and he will always bring people in your life wherever you go. He will also have people back home to love and support you.
Don't let fear keep you from doing whatever God has called you to do, which is to ultimately know him deeper and to serve him with your life so that others would know and love him too.
Would you remember me if I am called to leave?
Would you still love me from overseas?
I'm not fighting in the war,
but am I even worth waiting for?
Would you remember me?
I'm almost done with school,
I've learned a thing or two,
but I still want to know,
would anyone remember me if I go?
If I went miles away from home
and we could only talk on the phone.
Would you even remember my name?
Would you and I remain the same?
Remember me.
It's not that I don't love you,
but there are people that need to know they're loved too.
I pray you will understand,
and that you will realize God's greater plan.
Remember me in your prayers,
Remember it's not goodbye forever.
Would you still love me,
even when I leave?
Would you wait for my return,
or will I just be a picture that you burn?
Remember me.
Jesus said to his disciples, "...Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:19-20b (New International Version)
