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Maybe you are sending your son or daughter off on a mission trip. Maybe it’s a grandchild. Maybe it’s your best friend leaving to serve. Maybe your husband or wife is heading off to do Kingdom work. And you've found yourself not able to go on this trip… so what do you do while you stay behind?
It’s extremely tough to say goodbye to your loved ones, kids especially, entrusting them to someone else in a place that’s not their home. So, first of all, thank you for that. Thank you for trusting the Lord to take care of them and to be present along the way! Thank you for allowing them and spurring them on to go and spread the Gospel! Right now you may need a reminder: God’s got this! He is faithful!
It’s hard because you miss them, but you are also excited because you know God is going to do awesome things with and through them. So, for those of us who have to stay behind at times, what can we do?
1. Encourage them
Encourage them before they leave, while they are there, and when they get back. Before they depart, tell them that you love them, that you are proud of them, etc. I know you are going to miss them and you should tell them that, but make sure your words aren’t stirring up too much sadness and regret for signing up for the trip. We want them to be excited to go and excited to come home!
How can you encourage them while they are there?
2. Pray for them
Don’t worry… pray! When you feel anxious or a little worried, turn those concerns into prayers.
Some specific verses to pray:
3. Be on mission yourself!
Sometimes we can get in the mentality that if we aren’t “on a mission trip,” we aren’t on mission. My friends, we are all missionaries!
Some places you can be on mission everyday:
Tell about the greatness of God every single place you go!
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Although you may not have raised support, sent out letters, or attended countless missions meetings like your loved one did, take the same perspective of being on the mission field into your home community! You will be amazed with all God can and will do.
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