on summer

Though I love the way words can express so much, one of the things I dislike is how often, even the best phrased words cannot do full justice to that which it describes.

It's a little more than daunting, to realise that tonight is the last night I will spend in Hong Kong, before I am caught up in the unknown future. It's been an eventful summer to say the least. 3 months can catch you off guard and run away fast; oh you are sneaky, summer time.

One of the things I aimed for at the beginning of summer was the importance of slowing down, to not be caught up with commitments, deadlines and the demands of the world. But I was so caught up that I barely had time to do things that should've mattered more, like spending time with friends and family; poor planning and prioritising has left me wanting more.

Summer has also been filled with goodbyes. So many things and people to leave. People in Egypt, friends in Hong Kong, the kids from work.. kids have it best I think - they are too positive and innocent to know the heartbreak this world offers. One particular child who had speech development problems couldn't pronounce Sam properly. As he hugged me on my last day, he gave a huge smile of joy and sweetly said... 'Goodbye, Scum!'

We can learn a lot from children. They're often the ones that are most like Jesus; the most forgiving, the most loving, the ones with the biggest hearts. Goodbyes are something I shared from Egypt too though. There are no ends in Christ, and in Him every relationship and every work is blessed so that there is unending joy in it.

In that sense, I'll also always be homebound wherever I go, as long as I take the time to foster, cherish and build the relationships that God has blessed me with there.

And being convicted of that, there is no real goodbye.

Take care and see you when I do.

And in the famous words of Winnie the Pooh, Ta Ta for now!