Maintaining relationships sometimes can be a challenging part of a global life. Blood relations bear the brunt of some of the sacrifices that are made when we leave. Grandparents miss out on milestones of grandchildren. Aunts and uncles lose the opportunity to play an active role with nieces and nephews. Weddings, funerals, anniversaries and other family celebrations are missed. Homes become redefined. We may not be able to care for aging parents the way we would want to. Everyone we love including ourselves face losses for our obedience in following God’s purposes for our lives.  

My children have many “aunts and uncles” that aren’t related by blood and “cousins” that can feel closer than actual cousins. I’ve overheard them say more than once describing family friends as “like an aunt but not”. I have many “nieces and nephews”. I too am like their aunt but not. Some have described our family as their family. Everywhere we have embraced the people and pursued God’s purposes in that land, we have found family. What of our actual family? Our journey has caused them to walk their own journey. I’m sure at times it has been painful. It has been for us. But I’d like to hope that there have also been times of joy in the suffering of separation. They are in our thoughts and prayers and we do our best to stay connected. In the end, we are accountable to follow Him, and so are they. Jesus promised in Matthew 19:29, “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” He has come through on this promise for our family. We can pray that He does the same for those we leave behind. 

“If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him…We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest