No More Goodbyes by Rose McCormick Brandon

Goodbyes don’t come easily for me. When moving meant saying goodbye to co-workers, I feared being swept away by sentimentality, weeping uncontrollably like I did at my graduation. In photos of that event my eyes match my bouquet of red roses.

I come from a long line of crybabies and I blame them, especially the Irish, for the maudlin gene. I need a dose of my Scottish friend's favourite rendition of goodbye - "Shove off!" Nobody at the office told me to shove off. They dripped kindness all over me. The memory of their hugs clings to my shoulders, a reminder of how blessed I am to have people in my life who make saying goodbye so hard.

Snoopy summed up my feelings about the word goodbye:

“Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.”

Goodbye is a useful word, a short form of "God be with you." We use goodbye when we fly out the door to run an errand or to end a telephone conversation. We wave it, blow kisses with it, and even slam doors with it.

Goodbye always brings up questions: Where are you going? Can I come with you? How long will you be gone? When will you come back?

These are the same questions asked by Jesus' followers when He was making his goodbyes. (John 14:1-14) Jesus answered: I'm going to the Father. Yes you can come but not yet. Don't worry, I won't leave you alone. The Holy Spirit will be your constant companion. I'll get a room ready for you so you can come and live with Me. I'll be gone for what I consider a short time. When we meet again it will be forever.

Goodbye is an earthly word not an eternal one. We won't use it in our forever home with Jesus. No more goodbyes. Only hellos.

"I'm on my way to get a room ready for you. and if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live." John 14:3,4

 Rose McCormick Brandon is the author of four books, including One Good Word Makes all the Difference and Promises of Home - Stories of Canada's British Home Children. She writes personal essays and devotionals for several publications.

Burning Words by Rose McCormick Brandon

The rhythm formed by a writer's unique way of stringing phrases and sentences becomes their voice. This voice is the author's trademark. Take Irish writer, Frank McCourt, (Angela's Ashes, Teacher Man, 'Tis) as an example. It wasn't unusual for McCourt to write a whole paragraph of one continuous sentence. I imagine that his writing teacher, if he had one, might've said, "You'll never publish Frank, never. Anyone who doesn't have a relationship with the period can't ever publish." But, this flaw became McCourt's voice. His words flowed onto the page with a lilt, a distinctive, pleasurable hum. They warmed readers' hearts and made us wish that his had been a longer life filled with more joyful run-on sentences.
When I read scripture, I'm moved by the way its voice rings with holy zing. Its words strike me in the heart, or conscience, and urge me to change my ways. They comfort, encourage and inform. They remind me that the way I think is not the way He thinks.
Scripture sparkles with light. In its words, I recognize the Father's voice. His words affect me like no human's words.
I have favorite writers and McCourt is one of them, but his words don't admonish me or cause me to change my ways. They warm my heart but they don't stir it. I read his words for pleasure, a treat, but I read God's word for spiritual nourishment, a necessity.
After His resurrection, Jesus caught up to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (about 7 miles from Jerusalem). They were discussing the crucifixion. Jesus joined their discussion, quietly at first. Then, He explained to them the meaning of His death and all the events leading up to and after it. After a shared meal, Jesus disappeared. It was then the two men realized who had been speaking with them. One said:

Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures? (Luke 24:32)

Burn. That word aptly describes the feeling that comes from reading holy writing. No other book contains words that move us to the depth of our souls, transforming, burning words that change us.
His words, in His voice, are still changing people. No other writer's words can do that.

Rose McCormick Brandon is a frequent contributor to several publications. She also publishes stories of British Home Children at The Promise of Home.