Have you ever tried letting go of something but at the same time all you wanted was to hold on? I think back to high school and the times I visited the local amusement park, which had a few daunting roller coasters. At that time, I would ride several of the coasters, but you would never classify me as a thrill seeker. I remember vividly that when riding this one particular wooden coaster, the brave riders would always raise their hands as the coaster flew down the hills. I also remember I wanted to be one of those brave riders. I wanted to feel safe and hold on, but at the same time reach for the sky as we flew down the hills. Eventually, I learned the twists and turns of the coaster and bravely raised my arms up high knowing that in a split second I could grab hold of the bar if needed. Holding on and letting go need each other, but the two do not get along at the same time.

letting go

Being in a season of letting go has come with its ups and downs much like the ride on a roller coaster. Lessons are learned the hard way and sometimes with much kicking and screaming (at least on the inside). As much as I want to let go, I watch the passing of time fly by and something kicks in that has me holding on instead.

Letting go shouldn’t be so hard, should it?

Letting go of an aging parent

Letting go when a child graduates from college and then graduates with his Masters

Letting go of a son when he gets married

Letting go of a season of working full time to a time of retirement

Each one closes the chapter on a gift of time, a blessing of love, a season of challenges and the unfolding of God’s good and perfect plan. Letting go is God’s way of keeping our feet on the path that He has chosen for us. It is the gift of knowing that with each step forward we are closer to where He wants us to be. Choosing to hold on interrupts the natural flow of our lives and detours our path into areas unknown.

This weekend as I watch my son graduate again – this time with his Masters in Biblical Studies – all I want is to pause time and grab the little boy’s hand who stole my heart so long ago. But instead I look on proudly knowing that his heart for God will take him on a new path that is moving forward. I can choose to move forward with him or stay behind. I know that letting go moves me closer to my goal and allows him to take steps toward his own.

[Tweet “We can choose to move forward or stay behind-hold on or let go-which will you do?”]

Striving for Christ requires us to listen well, open our hearts to His love and then set it free so others may experience it too. What will your choice be?

I pray the truth in these words from Philippians blesses you as much as me whether you are in a season of letting go or one that requires you to hold on tight.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Blessings of grace along the way!

Mary

Linking with Lisha @Give Me Grace

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