Farewell’s Not Forever

This past week, I cleaned up my office, packed my bags, hugged the necks of many precious friends and headed to Knoxville with my husband to serve at Shoreline with Jason and Carrie Hayes. It has been a bittersweet farewell, but one that is outweighed with joy and hope, knowing that we are following the Lord’s leading.

I’ve grown up loving new beginnings. There’s something so sweet and symbolic about going somewhere new. And not only that, there’s something even sweeter and exciting about going somewhere new in the center of God’s will. Even though we may not know what the road ahead may look like, knowing we are walking with God brings more peace and joy to last us a lifetime!

That leads me to the bittersweet part. I have been honored to serve at Long Hollow as the Women’s Ministry Assistant this past year and a half. As I’ve been reflecting on this time of service, the Lord has been reminding me of Nehemiah. He was cupbearer to the king, which in that time period was a highly honored role. Basically, he guarded the king’s cup to ensure that no poison was put in it. At times, he would also be required to drink of the cup first before the king.

I’ve read this little snippet in chapter one of Nehemiah several times throughout my life, but never realized how much of an honor it was for Nehemiah to be a cupbearer. In my mind, I thought of it as him simply being holder of the cup! Not guarding the safety of the king. In many ways, I feel as if the Lord has given me that honor of being a “cupbearer” for women’s ministry at Long Hollow in this season.

If you’ve received an email from me while I’ve been working here, know that those were sent for the glory of God. If I’ve been given the gracious opportunity to get to speak with one of you in the church hallways, that was for the glory of God. If I’ve had the privilege of getting your Bible study materials and rooms together, that was for the glory of God. If there’s one thing that our Father has taught me while I’ve served here, it’s that every position matters for His kingdom. Nothing is excluded from bringing Him glory.

Richard Donovan once said, “When we do something good –– something for God –– we might never know the full measure of good that we have accomplished.  We can only know that God will take what we offer, great or small, and make of it a treasure.”

If you feel like you are simply “guarding the cup of the King” in  your season of life, know that God has more in guarding the cup than you could ever know. He delights in what you are doing for Him. And His purpose in the whole church and body of believers is one thing, that He may be glorified in us.

Thank you, precious women of God, for how you have poured into my life! I have been blessed to be surrounded by women of strength, dignity, wisdom and servant’s hearts. I will never be the same, and I know that my time here at Long Hollow has served a greater purpose for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for letting me be the cupbearer and for graciously encouraging me! I will miss Long Hollow Women’s Ministry, but I am also full of joy thinking about what the Lord has in store!

To God be the glory, my dear sisters in Christ. May we seek Him more than our daily bread. May we be satisfied with Him more than the riches of the world. May we forsake all we have to be recklessly abandoned to the Gospel of Christ!

Until next time,

Gretchen