"It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer." - E.B. White, from Charlotte’s Web

The word “Good-bye” is actually a contraction of the phrase “God be with ye.” I can not think of another word so frequently and universally used in English. It is a blessing, in the biblical sense. It bears the meaning of the old Hebrew blessing given by God in Numbers 6.24-26:

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you,

And be gracious to you, and give you peace.

We rarely use the word this way, though. Mostly we say it thoughtlessly – a throw-away word of parting. There are times when we need it to express all the meaning invested in it. This is one of those times.

Richard May is headed south on I-81 as I write these words. He is headed home to Arkadelphia after serving 6 months as our ministry intern, and two summers prior to that, as our youth-intern. During his time with us he participated in every aspect of ministry, and did everything well. Some things exceedingly well.

Having served as a youth minister myself, and having worked with several over the years I have lost all stomach for those hybrid cruise director/motivational speakers they churn out at the youth-ministry factory. I have also been blessed to serve with some fine young men. One, Wes Crum, is a Ph. D. psychologist now, and another, Kevin Wolfgong, is the minister at the North Hills Church of Christ in Pittsburgh, PA (he is currently on our prayer list as he battles cancer). Both have grown into better men than I am. If I could put in an order for a youth-minister/ministry intern to my own specifications I would want someone who is a bit bookish, a bit quirky, completely sincere, open-hearted, up for new experiences, close to Jesus, and serious about the Word. Richard is all these things, and we were greatly blessed by his time with us.

While here he lost two dear friends – Esther Luz and Thelma Perry. The four of us played dominoes every Tuesday, and giggled like we were still in elementary school.

While with us, Richard started the Monday Nights for the Master ministry, which continues to be wildly successful. He was an excellent speaker when he came to us, and improved with each lesson. He wrote like a man much older than his 23 years. He had an ease of friendship with everyone, from our oldest members to our youngest children (he was even much loved by everyone’s dogs). We will not soon replace him.

We wish he could have stayed, but his heart is in vocational ministry, and that is more practically done elsewhere. So we look forward to our paths crossing again, are thankful for the time we have served together, and say to our brother and friend:

God Be With You.