THE ONES YOU LEAVE BEHIND

Jesus, teach me to pray for people and pets I have to leave behind, and then trust that you'll take care of them. Amen!

Jesus prayed alone in a garden: "Father, the hour has come. I did the work you gave me; I taught people about you. I pray for them, because they're staying in the world while I'm coming back to heaven to be with you. Keep them in your name, so they'll be as close to you as I am."  

Your dog stares sadly at you as you run out the door to catch the school bus. Your best friend is angry that you're going on vacation when he's going through a rough time and wants to talk every day. Your mother cries as you leave for your first sleep-over.

It's hard when you're excited about something, or even just in a hurry to leave, and others don't want you to go. You need to do what's right for you, whether it's going to school or taking a vacation with your family. But you still feel sad for the ones who are upset that you're leaving.

Jesus was probably struggling with sadness and even guilty feelings in this week's Gospel (John 17:1-11). It was time for Him to go back to heaven, but His friends and followers didn't want Him to go. They didn't know what they'd do without Him!

Jesus' behavior gives some clues about good ways to handle things when you need to leave people and pets you love:

* Pray for them. Ask God to take care of them and help them get on with their days, even while they're missing you.

* Don't try to "fix" things. It's okay for others to be sad!

* Let go. If you've fed and petted your dog, kissed your mother goodbye, hugged your friend and promised to call when you got back, that's all you can do. You need to live your life, just like your friends do -- and trust that Jesus will be helping all of you.

If Jesus could let go and head back to heaven, it's kind of silly for you to feel guilty for going on vacation!

(05/01/08)