Remember This When Letting Go Is Too Hard

I cried and took pictures (not in that order) when my children went off to Kindergarten. In the last 15 years nothing’s changed much there, I still cry as each one moves on to a new stage.

Letting go has been anything but easy for me. Although I’m grateful for the growth and maturity I see in my children, I’m never ready when it’s time for them to move on.

Today, I’m facing a biggie as our second son, Zachary, heads off to college (update: he’s now a college graduate [2018] and off making his way several states away!). It’s time, I know. He’s ready. Me, not so much. 

The Difficulty of Letting Go

As individuals made in the image of God, we are naturally drawn to be in control. We desire to orchestrate what happens and when; to hold onto the familiar; to know the details of the path we will walk and the end result.

We love big because God loves big. And loving involves pain.

We love big because God loves big. And although loving involves pain, it also produces growth. Share on X

It’s risky to let go of those we know and love. But playing it safe does little for our spiritual growth. Clinging to our children signals a lack of faith, an unwillingness to trust God ‘s plan for us and our kiddos. And it certainly doesn’t do them any good either.

So although my heart still holds tightly to this little-boy-grown-man, my hands have opened, releasing him, letting him fly. Letting him follow the path God has laid out for him. Encouraging him to embark on the adventure the Lord has planned for his life.

And through my tears, I will rejoice as Zachary spreads his wings. I hope the world’s ready for him. It’s in for a treat.

Remember This

When you are asked to let go of something or someone, lean into the Lord. He’s there. Waiting for you. Wanting you to trust Him. Wanting you to believe there is nothing we can let go of that is more important than the One who will never let go of us. 

When you are asked to let go of something or someone, lean into the Lord. He's there. Waiting for you. Wanting you to trust Him. Wanting you to believe there is nothing we can let go of that is more important than the One who will never let go of us. Share on X

The only thing we should cling to is the One that we don’t need to fear losing. God promises He’ll never go anywhere; He’ll always be just where we need Him.

The only thing we should cling to is the One that we don't need to fear losing. God promises He'll never go anywhere; He'll always be just where we need Him. Share on X

That’s not saying it should be easy to let go. It often isn’t. It can be messy and painful, twisting and shredding our hearts. But that makes it all the more necessary.

Letting go. The hard letting go. It’ll lay us open, raw and hollow, to be filled with His glory.

The hard letting go creates space in our hearts for the Lord to occupy. 

The hard letting go lays us open, raw and hollow, to be filled with His glory. It creates space in our hearts for the Lord to occupy. Share on X

And leaves us in the end more fulfilled than we could ever imagine.

For Zachary

I’ve sung this song to you before in church and now I’ll play it for you, dear Zach. Love you more than I can express! 

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

Reflections: What steps do you find helpful in letting go? What verse(s) encourage you in this area of releasing?

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