The Pain of Separation

As I mentioned in this blog a few weeks ago, I’ve recently been doing a bit of family research and putting together a book of our family history. Well, this week I came across a couple of postcard pictures that were sent to my Greek grandmother, Aspacia, from relatives who had not come to the States. The first was from her mother and sister who remained in Greece. The second was from a brother whom I didn’t know existed. Apparently, he had gone to France, at least for a time (that was where the picture was taken and the postmark was from). 

On the back of each of them was a greeting and a short self-written poem (rhyming in the original Greek). The one from her sister said: “Even though far from you I am; even though far from you I live; always I remember you; And always I long for you.” The one from her brother said, “Beloved sister, receive this photo of me, and wherever you go and wherever you stand, may you not forget your brother” 

As I looked at the photos and read their little poems, for the first time I caught a glimpse of the pain of separation my family members felt as they left their homelands to travel to America in the hope of a better life. Each of them left behind not just war and poverty, but mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and friends. And, unlike today when communication is relatively easy, back then it took weeks for a letter to get to its overseas destination. And, when my relatives came to America none traveled back to their homeland ever again. After all, just getting here in the first place had been an arduous journey.  

Of course, the same is happening today as so many people all around the world continue to leave their homelands in the face of poverty, war, gangs, oppressive governments, etc. We readily see those who move into our communities, but we fail to see those who have been left behind. We fail to recognize that so many families around us are experiencing the pain of separation. 

I’m reminded today of what God said to the Israelites after he had rescued them from Egypt, “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19) God reminds his people that just as he recognizes the needs of the aliens and foreigners (and all who are in need), so his people are to do so as well. He calls his people to see those around them, as he sees them.  

As think of what my family members went through as they emigrated to a new land—the pain of separation felt on both sides of the equation—I’m challenged to be more aware of what so many people around me may be feeling. I’m challenged to be sensitive, compassionate, and kind towards those who may need someone to come alongside of them to comfort them and help them along their journey; to love them and care for them, as God does. After all, looking back through the years, I know God has done just that for my family. For that, I am grateful. 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris