Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all His benefits.
Psalm 103:2

Leaving was hard.

I looked around Room 108 one last time. For seven years, I had invested myself in this little blue room by the staircase, creating a haven for my English as a Second Language students. Now, personal items were packed away. Teaching tools were passed on to other educators.

I had said my goodbyes to students and staff. The last 37 years of my life had been dedicated to teaching and learning. And now?

I wasn’t sure what the future held. But I knew God was calling me to a new chapter. He had made that clear.

On the blackboard, my students had written a farewell message:

“We love Miss Linda.” Each name signed brought a smile. I would never forget these students. I would never forget all that I had learned here. I walked away with far more than I had given.

And then, I closed the door on that chapter of my life.

Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:18

Leaving is never easy. Pastor Amy’s departure from Atonement Methodist Church is filled with love and tears. We cherish her. She has accomplished much as our senior pastor.

But her last message wasn’t about grief, but about continuing the work. As she reminded us, eternity has no beginning and no end. God calls us to pause amid our busy lives and rest in His arms. There, He heals us and prepares us for what’s next.

Pastor Amy is in that place of holy waiting. And while she waits, she invites us to remember what God has already done, and what He has promised to do.

A beautiful symbol of this remembrance appeared on Sunday’s bulletins: the forget-me-not. This small blue flower speaks of memory, faithful love, and enduring presence. Legend says forget-me-nots grew on the battlefield of Waterloo in 1815—a tender sign of remembrance amid hardship. Many were worn on lapels this past Memorial Day.

Amy explained that God is the ‘Me’ in forget-me-not. The Great I AM answers prayer. His love is the greatest gift we could ever receive.

God will not forget Amy’s faithfulness. And we will not forget her.

But more than that, we remember our faithful God. And we move forward in the assurance that He remembers us, He leads us, and He is not finished with our story yet.

Closing Prayer:

Gracious and Everlasting God,
We thank You for the gift of faithful seasons and the gentle guidance You give as we move from one chapter to the next. Thank You for Pastor Amy’s leadership and the love she poured into this church family. Thank You for the memories, the healing, and the hope that she has left with us.

As we remember her faithfulness, help us most of all to remember Yours. You are unfailing, unwavering, and unchanging. When we are uncertain about what comes next, remind us You are already there, preparing the way.

Give us willing hearts to sit in Your presence, to listen for Your voice, and to follow where You lead. Strengthen us to carry forward the good work You have begun, that we may declare Your mighty acts to the next generation.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.