…missing

If you look up the word “missing” in a dictionary, it tells you that something is not where it’s supposed to be. It’s not until you flip or scroll down several definitions that the dictionary tells you what you already know: Missing is noticing the absence of something, and the accompanying sadness with not enjoying the presence of whatever it is that’s missing. We all feel this feeling of missing now and then. Sometimes it’s something trivial like having crunchy peanut butter in the cupboard. Other times it hits a little higher than the stomach.

I admit it: I miss you people. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t some mopey, tear-stained post about how life is awful when you are away from your friends and family. I’m living a 24/7 adventure – literally flying by the (torn) seat of my pants, sleeplessly smiling my way through four months of craziness. It’s incredible and I am constantly reminded how blessed I am to have this opportunity. God provides in ways I never knew I needed Him to and I can trust Him to handle every detail. Even in that, I miss people.

Missing people is beautiful. If you get to the point that you miss someone, it means you have someone worth missing; it means you enjoy someone’s presence enough that it saddens you to be without it. It’s the little things I didn’t realize I would miss – the people at the lunch table every day; the people in the same general area at chapel; the guys in the hall; the facilities worker that quietly smiles as I walk past every day. The big things I knew I would miss, but I didn’t realize how much. I miss people, and I’m surrounded by people having a blast on this adventure. It’s okay to miss people.

I’ll toss back and forth a little bit until I fall asleep tonight, as I do most nights. I spend a lot of time thinking about the people I miss – the people I took for granted. On those nights not marked with sheer adventure-born exhaustion, I’m praying for you. You’re worth missing.

I’ll say what you’re thinking – that’s some sappy stuff. Notice the parts about adventure-born exhaustion and sleeplessly smiling… This is the result. Clearly, it’s time for some rest.