It is heart wrenching as you watch loved ones get on a plane or ship, knowing it will be a long time before you will see them again.

It is heart warming to know of their love for you and your love for them.  It is hope in the living God through faith in the Lord Jesus that sustains you in such a time.

Paul was saying good-by to the beloved Ephesian elders, before he continued his journey toward Jerusalem.

He had one last admonition for them.
(NASB) Acts 20:33-35 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
34 ‘You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
35 ‘In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

How often do we turn our thoughts inward to ourselves?  What are we to do?  We are to give of ourselves to others needs.  “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
‘O Lord, help me to remember Your words as I live each day.’

We are to serve others and not depend on others to serve us!

Have you ever knelt down with a group of people to pray before you left them?  Paul did.
(NASB) Acts 20:36-38 “When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,
38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.   And they were accompanying him to the ship.”

Saying “Good-by” is hard.  Many times it is with sorrow born out of love.

Many times those boarding the plane or ship “hide” their tears and those standing and watching them leave also “hide” their sorrow.  The next time, take time to pray together, knowing God will take care of the hidden hurt.

There is hope for all believers in Christ Jesus.  We will meet again, if not here, in heaven.  What a reunion that will be!