CassieJoshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Johnny and I have been dating for nearly two years, nine months of which we have done over long distance, with breaks of seeing each other for four months in the summer and a month over Christmas, as he is going to school and playing varsity soccer a province away, and me studying English and working in Ontario.
Sometimes, this distance feels so frustrating. There are times, over the course of the months apart, that I have simply felt sad, missing my best friend, just wanting to dwell on missing him and his presence.
And sometimes Skype is frustrating in that same way. While we can see each other, sometimes it’s hard not to simply refrain, “I wish you were here.”
Putting aside these frustrations that God has only used to make us stronger, I am grateful for how God has used this period as part of our story for His glory alone.
Johnny and I are forced, while also, of course, wanting to, really know each other. Talking to each other about our days, everything going on in our lives, is one of the only things we can “do” together.
God has also used many different things to knit us together. Letter-writing, extra long messages and conversations, words of encouragement that we don’t take for granted. And, when we are together, that time we see as the precious gift it is. I watch live streams or playback videos of Johnny’s soccer games, and he diligently and selflessly reads my blogs and involves himself in my life, caring so much about me and my wellbeing. We also just recently bought a shared Spotify account, where we can share and listen to the same music.
Last semester, before the summer, the Holy Spirit called us to a period of distance, in which we only communicated through letters; no Snapchat, no texting, no phone calls, no Skype. Jesus used this in more ways than I am even aware of, I’m sure, right now, to draw us closer to Him as our ONLY Centre, Head, Provider, Soul-Lover– the very person Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, while of course no couple needs a period of distance, God works in every relationship submitted to Him for the good of His Kingdom, bringing joy out of challenges.
