Are you familiar with the saying, “You don’t fully appreciate it until it’s gone”? Well that thought came to my mind yesterday as I was driving to Starbucks in order to use their wi-fi. None of us would have guessed that 17 days after our move we would still not have internet set up in our home. Yes, it is true that we do not fully appreciate what we have until we no longer have it.

The same thing can be said of cell phones. We have become so dependent on our cell phones that it is hard to remember how we ever survived without them. And now texting! Remember when you had to actually call and have a 2- minute phone conversation with someone just to say, “Dinner is at 6.” And what about our contact lists? When was the last time you memorized a phone number?

I washed dishes today! I actually used the stopper, added Ivory dish soap and filled the sink with water instead of using the dishwasher. How often does that happen?!! When I was finished, I drained the sink but had to empty out the stopper because our new home does not have a garbage disposal – no garbage disposal! However will I survive?!!:)

We have become so dependent on the conveniences of the 21st century yet how often do we stop and consider what our life would be without it. Or is it that we do not truly appreciate these blessings in life until they are not there.

The same can be said of people. Do we fully comprehend the blessings God has placed in our lives through our loved ones – friends AND family? 18 months ago we had to say goodbye to family and long-time friends and move 800 miles away, learning how to live our daily lives without those we had grown to appreciate yet taken their presence in our lives for granted. Then four months ago, I resigned from the job I had never envisioned myself leaving and said goodbye to coworkers who had become more than just team members – they had become family. I realized I had taken their presence in my life for granted, not fully realizing how blessed I was to be a part of a wonderful ministry together.

More recently, we said goodbye to our Texas Church Family – an incredible group of people who had opened their arms and hearts to us and loved us like only family can. We loved Texas but it wasn’t until God called us back to Illinois that I fully realized just how much! Yes, it is definitely true that “You don’t fully appreciate it until it’s gone.”

As I was thinking of all of this on my way to Starbucks and missing our Texas family and complaining to God about how much loss I have experienced in the last year and a half, a song by Matthew West came on the radio. The chorus goes like this:

If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I will be waiting where I’ve always been
If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I have never left you, I’m where I’ve always been
Right by your side
Right by your side

God is so faithful! He is compassionate and quick to remind me of His presence when I need to know and feel Him right by my side. How often do I take His presence for granted? I have no idea what it would be like to NOT have Him in my life because He has ALWAYS been there. And the wonderful thing is that I will never have the experience of suddenly missing His presence because I have taken it for granted and now it is gone. He will NEVER leave. He will FOREVER be by my side.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand (Psalm 73:23).

And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20b).