Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Truth About Letting Go

Autumn Gate
I’ve been missing in action a bit lately.  I’ve been ‘sneaking’ in to read blogs occasionally and – once in awhile – I have left a comment or two to let you know I’ve stopped by to visit.  My intentions are good.  I often plan new blog posts in my mind - then life comes running at a faster pace.  More demands on my time take me away from what I hope to do. 

I sat down to write a new blog post a few days ago and I didn't finish it. It started out to be one thing - and it quickly went another direction and became something totally different! I didn't post it to my blog. I didn't know if I would ever share it. There is so much more I could say - more behind the scenes than what I wrote. I saved it and I'd like to share it with you today - because this is what’s on my heart. And what God is doing in my life. I wrote:

New thoughts about priorities and expectations and obligations have settled into my heart and mind. Change is happening in many parts of my life. The answers aren’t there yet for some things – I can’t explain it all. Other things seem more clear than ever before. God is doing something new and I’m on board with whatever it is. 

I find myself letting go of things, letting go of people and letting go of a sense that I have to be there to ‘fix’ things for everyone. There are times and seasons in our lives. There are times people need us and times they don’t need us the same way as before. They move on. We move on. It’s almost as if God is stripping away things that bind - things we may hold too tightly. My sweetheart and I sense He is stripping things away one at a time. Sometimes it hurts for awhile but then it brings such freedom!

My sweetheart and I had an experience not long ago that gave us a taste of what a new place of freedom could look like – freedom from expectations (mine and those of other people), freedom from things (stuff), freedom from doing things the way they’ve always been done in the past, freedom to move into something new as God leads. It can’t all happen yet. It may never happen just the way we ‘saw’ it but we had a glimpse – and we want that kind of freedom. We really believe it’s possible to have that kind of freedom - no matter what our circumstances may be, no matter what we think others expect of us, no matter where we live or what God calls us to do.

The hardest part of letting go and embracing that kind of freedom is saying ‘no’. Saying ‘no’ to myself, saying 'you don't have to do it that way anymore', saying ‘you don’t have to do that at all anymore’, saying, ‘it’s time for someone else to do that if it’s going to be done.’ Oh, I’m not giving up – I’m not running away. I’m not abandoning responsibilities. Not in any way. But I am letting go so I can hold more tightly to the things that really matter. Things that really make a difference when all is said and done.

I’ve always seemed to care more than I should about the opinions of others. To my own detriment, at times their opinions seemed more important (and easier) than doing what was really in my heart. It’s been a struggle at times. It’s not that I don’t care about other people anymore but I’m learning to let go and – at times to let them go – so I can embrace the best. The best that God has for me - and for them. Sometimes we stand in the way of what God wants to do in their lives. Sometimes we need to let go and let Him do His work. At times letting go means releasing them to do what they are going to do, all the while knowing it may not be for the best, but praying and believing that there will be a day they come to find the best and embrace it with their whole heart.

It may sound like there are big problems or crises going on in our lives right now. No, not at all! We have just come to a new place in our lives. We are taking more time to talk and pray and dream. We have come to realize that some relationships – while good – are not as close as we once thought they were. Others are more precious than ever. We have come to grasp what we already knew - that possessions are not as precious as they seem. And while there are things we still love, letting go of them doesn’t hurt nearly as much as once thought. We have come to know that, while we are on the back side of life in the eyes of some, we are at an exciting, new place. We are facing new horizons - sensing new things to come. Letting go so we can embrace the very best. God’s best. We want to embrace His best and walk into new places with freedom and joy. We may walk in places we never dreamed possible - places only God knows right now. We are planning for something – something we don’t understand yet. We are sorting and cleaning and releasing and letting go. Change is happening in relationships and plans and schedules and our home and the way we do business. It’s a good thing!

These Scripture verses keep coming to mind: 'One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

17 comments:

  1. Adrienne! Oh, my friend. This post is amazing in more ways than you would ever know. As I read, I was thinking - this is what is going on in my life right now! Change! After my little mother passed away there is lots going on in our lives too. Your words really spoke to me because it's my story too.
    Love you,
    Shelia ;)

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  2. What a wonderful post and it echoes much of what I've felt myself lately. I have felt for the past 2 years that something is changing but I can't see where we are supposed to go or do. I know God will reveal it in his time. Best of luck to you and thanks for this great post.

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  3. How lovely and wise. Life often brings changes, some we like and others sudden and tragic. I have learned that the future is never what one expects and how we handle these changes are the making of us.

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  4. This post is just perfect. I have been struggling with some of the same thoughts. Yes, for every thing there is a season comes to my mind as I read this. Change can be a struggle and I am not sure where my struggle will take me. Thanks!

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  5. I understand this totally. I sure have had major changes in my life. I have simplified in many ways....but life is still wonderful and easier! It is difficult, but it can be done and for the better! I know you will do what is best!

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  6. I'm hearing that old song "ch-ch-ch-changes " in my mind. Even good changes bring challenges, but it sounds as if you are handling this new season beautifully!

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  7. LOVE this post! I know how you feel as well! Just as the seasons change so does the seasons of our lives. I think as we grow closer to our Lord and a little older in age (at times) we truly begin to realize that life isn't about us...it is about Him in every sense of the way. For me, it is giving myself permission to be what Christ wants of me and not seeking the permission of others. I could go on and on with this post. Thank you for sharing your heart. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  8. Totally understand.
    Find that we are also in a state of change.
    Thankful that God is sovereign and had all things in His hand.

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  9. This post is so relevant to what I have been learning and feeling the last few months. As the Bible says, "there is a time for every purpose under heaven." Life changes, relationships change, and the sooner we understand that the happier we are and the more able to let go and let God. You hit the nail on the head Adrienne!

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  10. Dear Adrienne, your post could not have come at a better time...it's exactly what I needed to hear...thank you, my friend, for sharing what is on your heart!
    xoxo
    Kim

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  11. Hi Adrienne
    Change is often hard but it's also what helps us grow. Sounds to me like the two of you are ready to just leave everything behind and hit the open road :). If you decide to travel across the country, we always have a guest bedroom ready for visitors!
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  12. I understand this post all too well my friend. Change is hard at times but needed. Thanks for sharing your heart. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  13. I'm reading a devotional book called The Cup of Our Life by Joyce Rupp. In it she talks about our lives compared to a cup. If we fill our cups up, let's say with coffee, and then it sits there it eventually gets cold and stale. The only way to fill it with something refreshing is to pour out the old. Our lives sometimes have to be emptied as well so that we can be refilled with Him. Here's an interesting exercise...pick up your favorite cup, look into it's empty depths and imagine what you would put into it if you let God lead the way. blessings, marlene

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  14. I'm reading a devotional book called The Cup of Our Life by Joyce Rupp. In it she talks about our lives compared to a cup. If we fill our cups up, let's say with coffee, and then it sits there it eventually gets cold and stale. The only way to fill it with something refreshing is to pour out the old. Our lives sometimes have to be emptied as well so that we can be refilled with Him. Here's an interesting exercise...pick up your favorite cup, look into it's empty depths and imagine what you would put into it if you let God lead the way. blessings, marlene

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  15. Came over to catch up and here you have this wonderful post Adrienne. If we can admit it so many of us care more about what others think of us without realising that it can hinder what God wants for us.Letting go is not easy but the results of doing so liberating. I think as one gets older it becomes obvious that there are things we have to give up as it becomes too much for us to carry but as you are saying, it goes much deeper than that. I certainly can relate to what you are saying and seeing and I do struggle with giving up at times. Only a minute by minute rest in Him is the answer knowing that God knows what is best for us at any given moment. My prayer and desire is to live by Galations 2:20 trusting God for every moment and I have to say although I know it in my head I do not always live in it, slipping into self-effort which takes me right back in to picking things up again. The new journey that you are on sounds exciting. Blessings. Barbara

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  16. My mouth practically dropped open when I saw your title. This morning I wrote a post on what I feel like I have been learning this year and "letting go" was the title! I am in agreement with you, it is not an easy thing for some of us to do. Blessings to you, may the Lord continue to lead you.

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I am grateful that you stopped by to visit me. Your kind and gracious comments are appreciated and treasured.