Some People Never Leave

The miracle begins long before the whirlwind. The miracle is that God forms Elisha slowly, step by step.

Some people never really leave. Years after you lose contact with someone, a long-buried memory finds its way to the tip of your tongue. You catch yourself quoting your grandfather line-for-line and think “Oh no!” as the last syllable slips from your mouth. Or maybe you’re in a meeting with a coworker and suddenly realize you’re quoting an old manager. Somehow their words have slipped into your vocabulary.

People stick with us. It is a consequence of relationships.

It can be funny, nerve-wracking and scary all at the same time. People we have loved and loathed give us language before we know they have done it. As disciples of Christ, we look to the saints of the church. They have shown us what faith looks like: courageous, messy, faithful and a lifelong journey. Sometimes the saints teach us by doing poorly, and other times they are the high bar to which we try to measure up. Either way, their language becomes ours.

They can leave, but they are never really...