Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy. In this day and age I often think of the soldiers going to Iraq or some other hostile place. Their wives/husbands/families grieve their departure not knowing whether they will ever see their loved one again. They go off to defend freedom, to respond to the call of their jobs.

I pray this saying goodbye isn't like that one. We are still living in Harwood in our home (praise the Lord for such a blessing not afforded most clergy). We are not going to some far off land (Mt. Oak is in Eastern PG County near Crofton, the church is only 14 miles door to door from our home). And although the church and office complex have alarm systems, I don't fear for my life (unless my jokes don't go over well).

Saying goodbye is never easy though. Our nearly 24 years as pastor and our family's 54 plus years together make MZ and the McDonald's forever linked. It will take a long time for me to adjust to saying Mt. Oak instead of Mt. Zion. I hope the people at Mt. Oak are as loving and forgiving of my short-comings as you have been.

I love you all and will miss standing in your midst and sharing my heart for Jesus and His Word for us. Come and visit sometime or say hello when you see me in the community. Blessings and peace to you all.