Last week we wrestled some things through, didn’t we? I hope you accepted the challenge and let the process bring you to a place of surrender.

This week, we are going to take what we wrestled with and say, “Farewell”…it’s time to let it go! And not only let it go, but I think it’s important to let it go gracefully.

Why gracefully? Because our goal in this life is to bring Glory to God, to show God is in us by our words, our actions, and our motivations. It’s a tall order, I know, but we have everything we need for this incredible ask.

When we hold so tightly to the people and things of this world, it shows our humanness; our natural bent toward possession and control. But once we release that which was never really ours to covet and keep—that which was entrusted to us for a time and a season—it reflects a glimpse of the power of God working in us and through us.

“Letting go and letting God” is not an actual verse in scripture, but a very well-known concept; a paramount theme of the Bible. At first glance it implies a passivity in that we are to do nothing—just let go. However, I think that is a grave mistake on our part.

In order to let go of something we love, desire, yearn to keep in our grasp, we need to struggle against the pull of what’s familiar and actively hand it over to the One—the only One—who we can trust with our biggest fears, the ones that keep us up at night.

Although it’s pretty basic in concept, it can be impossible in practice sometimes. My mind knows what to do, but I can’t bring my heart to follow suit, and then I’m left feeling untethered and unmoored—lost and wanting.

And these feelings of disconnectedness and discontent are glaring red flags for me. Once they start flapping in the wind of change, I know there’s going to be a hard choice up ahead. A hard emotional turn is on the horizon.

Letting go of a loved one, at any stage, is crazy hard. I’ve had to let go through rejection. Hard! I’ve had to let go through death. Hard! And now I’m having to let go because it’s the right order of God’s plan for parenting. And it is just plain hard!

Well, I’ve come to the painful realization that it’s inevitable, this train is leaving the station and there’s no stopping it. I must say goodbye to the life I’ve known, the life that has called me to a level of surrender and love I never thought I was even capable of—oh, the love of a mother; who can explain it?!

For almost twelve years now, the mighty weight of single parenting has compelled me to empty myself; pour everything I had to give and then some into raising these children God entrusted to me. And let’s face it, single parenting is not for the weak or faint-hearted. We are a strong breed, ladies. And it’s been the honor of my life to accept this assignment.

Even so, it’s time for something new. I have grieved all I can grieve so I’m setting my face toward hope and what God has up ahead.

A wise woman once said: “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings.” — Hodding Carter, Where Main Street Meets the River (Rinehart)

Reflect and Respond:

What has God been working in you the last few weeks? That something that you know you need to release to Him because holding on to it anymore is causing an internal struggle between your will and His?

Well, it’s time. What do you say? Are you ready to let go of that person, thing, compulsion, idea, insult, fear, misplaced hope that you’ve been holding on to and resistant to letting go? Release it to Him. Make the hard choice to obey. God has a special blessing waiting for you in the wings.

Thank you for traveling with me on this journey over the last year. You have been sweet sisters and companions, and I thank God for all of you. Besides, you’re great listeners (wink, wink)!!

Remember, you are not alone. Trust in God, the One and Only, and let it go!