A Better Plan

As I walked away in tears, I received a very personal insight into how Jesus’ disciples felt the day he left.

Picture this with me: Jesus has spent the last three years living, breathing, eating, sleeping, and brushing teeth with this eclectic group of men he called his disciples. I’m guessing they argued amongst one another, laughed at stupid things, and did the whole “I’m a cool guy” routine where they tried to out do each other in stupidity. I don’t know for sure, but I was raised with three brothers, so at least my guess is educated.

Regardless, they were CLOSE to Jesus. Their hearts were knit tightly with his. They were brothers, friends, and family to one another.

                  

And then Jesus makes an unexpected and equally devastating announcement, “I’m leaving you…”

                                                                                                         

When I started working at Hope, there was a spunky, middle-aged woman whose cubicle was right behind mine, and she always had the funniest stories. I just loved to sit and listen to her. Through story-time, I came to love this woman. We would laugh and giggle until we could hardly stand up straight, but then hug and cry as sadness after sadness hit my life. She is my dear friend in whom I love.

Today was her last day at Hope. My heart was broken and devastated as I had to say my sad goodbye. She would no longer be with me day in and day out. I could no longer run back to her cubicle for a good laugh or a much needed shoulder to cry on. She wasn’t going to be there for the moments I felt my sanity leaving me, or the moments where joy was bursting out of my skin.

Can you now imagine the depth of emotion Jesus’ disciples felt the moment he announced he was leaving them, and then even proceeded to tell them that it was BETTER this way? This was a man they had lived, traveled, and breathed with for three years. This was the man they ran to to laugh with and mourn with. They loved him. How could life possibly be better without him?

I saw only a glimpse today of the loss Jesus’ disciples went through over those few weeks. The wrestling, the heartbreak, the devastation, the loneliness. Just the thought of moving on without Him had to be overwhelming.

Thankfully, God DID have a better plan, whether the disciples could believe it at that moment or not. The plan was to send his Holy Spirit to reside in us, to be a comfort, a joy, and peace in the every day and the mundane.  And what an incredible gift that was.

Whether I can see it right now or not, I know God has a fabulous plan for my sweet friend, and for me, because He is good. He is always good. And His plans are always good. That, for sure, I never have to doubt.

“In all things, God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28

All my love,

Paige