When You Miss Someone This Summer

Hey, Carpool Crew. Happy Thursday. I'm Pastor Justin. Now, let me ask you, have you ever had someone you really love be far away over the summer? Maybe a grandparent, a best friend who moved, or a parent is on a long business trip, and you just miss them so much it makes your chest feel kinda heavy? Summer scatters people sometimes. Friends travel. Families split up for trips sometimes. Somebody you love lives far away, and missing them is real. It's not silly, and it's not babyish. So today, let's talk about what to do with the achy missing feeling we have sometimes. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride. God goes with you, so you're never really alone when you miss someone. Listen to this from Joshua chapter one verse nine. It says, "Haven't I commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." God said this to Joshua right when he was about to do something huge without Moses, the person who had been with him his whole life. Notice that God didn't say, "You won't miss him." He said, "I am with you wherever you go." Think about that. Missing someone and being alone are two very different things. You can miss someone with your whole heart and still not be alone because God is right there in the same room with you the whole time. And here's the part that's almost too good. God is with you, and He's with the person you miss too, at the very same moment. The same God in both places at once. If Jesus were sitting next to you, I think He'd say, "I know you miss them, and that missing means you care about them. That's a good thing. But you're not alone in it. I'm right here with you, and I'm with them too, at the same time." It is a quiet summer night, and you're missing your best friend who's been gone for weeks, or your grandpa who lives far away. The missing feeling sneaks up on you right before bed. But then you remember that you're both under the same sky, and the same God is holding both of you. So you pray for them by name. And the heavy feeling doesn't vanish, but it gets a little lighter because now you're not carrying it alone. This week, here are a couple things I want you to try. First, when you miss someone, tell God about them by name and ask Him to take care of them. Second, when the missing gets heavy, whisper one sentence, "God, thank you that you're with me and with them right now." And third, here's a big one. Ask yourself, do I really believe God is with me, or do I feel like I have to handle the missing all by myself? Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. God goes with you, so you're never really alone when you miss someone. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Hey, parents, here's an easy one. We're on Instagram, and we'd love it if you followed us. You can find us at Carpooling with Jesus, we post stuff every day, little videos to help you, things you can share with friends and tell them about the podcast. And hey, before you go, let's answer this question together. Who's someone you miss right now, and how could you pray for them tonight? I'll see you later, Carpool Crew. Have a good one.