Letting Go

                                     

It was one year after my father had passed away, and my mother and I were trying to decide upon a way to celebrate his life.  It had been a tough year.  Dad had passed in April.  My divorce was final in September.  The girls were still adjusting to divorced life (as was I).  My mom was adjusting to life without her beloved husband.  I was still recovering from Cancer a year before.  Those weren't easy times.  So it was time to celebrate.

Balloons - the girls loved balloons.  We decided to get a balloon for each of us, say something special to Pop-Pop, and let the balloons go up in the air.  First was Nanny (my mom).  She eloquently said something and off it went.  Next, mine was released, along with much upon my shoulders.  Sarah was third, and we listened intently and watched as her balloon floated into the air.  Last, was Krystina.  At the age of 7, Krystina's message to Pop-Pop was real and true, she missed him.  Bottom line.  She released her balloon - and it got stuck in the tree.  Just stuck there - it wouldn't go.  Tears streamed out of her little eyes, "He won't get my message".  We all started crying, how could that happen??  Eventually, a gust of wind came, and off it went.  Left in God's hands, He didn't disappoint us.  "The Lord helps his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles." (NIV )Psalm 34:17

Those two words, Letting Go, can be fearful driven words.  Any time we let go, regardless of what the situation may be, it means we need to trust in someone or something else.  When we let go of our children on that bike, we are trusting in their ability to ride.  When we let go of the side of the pool, we are trusting in ourselves that we can swim (or touch the bottom of the pool at least!).  When we let go of someone we love, we trust that they will find happiness - without us.  When we let go of someone who has passed on, we trust that they have moved on to our Heavenly Father.

Letting go is one of the hardest things we can challenge ourselves with.  Yet, when we let go, we are having faith, SIMPLE FAITH, that something or someone will be there to handle it.  It will be 12 years on Tuesday since my Dad has entered the heavenly gates.  So much has transpired during those 12 years, moments of great joy and great pain.  There have been times when I have gladly let go of things or emotions.  There have been other times when I still hang on to things - things that can cause great stress in my life.  What I realize is that "I" control that stress much of the time, and I can (and should) let go.

We get to chose what we hang on to - and what we let go of.  Holding on, sometimes, can cause even greater stress than letting go.  It is fearful to let go.  We can be very afraid to let go.  Yet, I ask you to read the verse below and keep it in your heart.  There is a time to let go.  If it is your time to let go of something that has been troubling you, worrying you, causing you despair, let it go and give it to God!  He can truly handle it all.  Set your sights on the Lord, you will never be disappointed with the view!!

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don't be troubled or afraid."  (NIV)  John 14:27