Space travel in the late 60s made nearly everyone an explorer. It was the origin of reality television. Brave astronauts, uncharted territory, and live unfolding mystery. We, the general population, hung on the images that raced through time and space to magically appear with unsynchronized sound.
In those moments, as the Apollo spacecraft would enter the orbit of the moon, it would move to the “far side.” For a period of time, radio contact would be broken. Silence replaced crackling and distorted voice transmission. People all over the world watched, waited and listened with faith and hope.
On the 24th of January, our twenty-year-old daughter, Alli, boarded an airplane that would start a journey of a lifetime. Her final destination was the east African country of Tanzania. She and we had planned for and discussed this semester abroad for some time? but I completely underestimated the ?far side of the moon? impact on my life.
Instantaneous contact is gone. Waiting replaces connecting. Prayer becomes the cellular carrier of choice. She’s on the far side, out of range.
She is beyond my touch, but she remains inside His grip. Her dad makes do in Denver, but her Father is there. He’s unconfined. He knows no “far side,” no silence, no distance. He is with me while I write, and with Alli as she awakens to whatever landscape is now home. New mercies, beacon, without regard.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, norheight nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38, 39
No time zone, no geography, no culture, no language, not even the condition of the heart, or posture of rebellion can push me to the far side, ever!
While we wait, He moves. While we wonder, He directs. While we write letters, He speaks.
Is there someone in your life on the far side? Distance and pain may be your reality, but they are not our Heavenly Father’s. He is where they are. His love transcends.
Good night, Alli, I miss your voice, I miss your notes, I miss you, but I know that He is where you are, forever.
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