Every mile I drove got me closer to a destination of reluctance. This was something I had to do, but letting go of my son Dane, a US Army soldier, was creating a hole in my heart. Just to drop him off at the airport with only the briefest of hugs ‘goodbye’ didn’t seem fair after his short 2-week leave for Christmas. But if I didn’t let him go both physically and emotionally, he wouldn’t be able to do what he was destined for, and I wouldn’t be able to get back home and restart my life without him being there every day, again. My reality was that this reluctance had to change to acceptance, and let him go with a blessing.

If you consider the multitude of decisions we make on a daily basis, many of them are tied to letting go of something:

Physically:
– Aging. We are all growing older, so our looks and shape will change. Hanging on to the image of our former selves is not healthy nor reasonable. Striving to maintain the past does not allow for future possibilities. God designed us purposefully to age, because with it comes time and wisdom.

– Children. They graduate from high school, so their next step is either college or job training, so often this means them moving out to be on their own. We should not hold them back from living outside of our home. They need to leave the nest to grow up further.

Mentally:
– Anger/hurt/unforgiveness. Whether it is family, spouse, friend or enemy, withholding total forgiveness from someone is harmful to us. To completely forgive and let it go relieves YOU of shouldering that extra burden, and releases YOU to move forward freely. Additionally, there comes a tremendous healing in doing so. I know this personally!! To look past it gives you the vision for what is ahead.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13

– own past mistakes. Our history of bad choices and lifestyles can drag us so far down into the hole of regret, that we cannot see the light above us. To let go of our past issues allows us to stand up and progressively walk forward, further away from that hole of regret to striding on the steps of hope.

– people /unhealthy relationships. It only takes one or two people in our life to cause undue stress, to drag us down emotionally or spiritually, or create a a division. Pray over what the best course of action is, and perhaps you will learn that letting them go is necessary. This may involve continuing to pray for them, but distancing yourself from such a rollercoaster may be helpful and open the door for peace.

– personal goals. Setting goals is a good thing, but when those goals do not match what God’s plans are, then it is time to change that. This may not be obvious right away, but by spending time with the Lord and following His leading, He will let you know if it’s time to let go.

– worldly pleasures. What pleases you the most or are you passionate about? Is it something of the world, i.e. a TV show or popularity or money? If what you are passionate about does not bring God the glory rather than you, then it’s time to let go off that passion and discover what God is passionate about. By this, you will find lasting joy rather than temporary pleasure.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Spiritually:
– a death to our will. In order for us to let go of our will, we must cremate our own. This way it is permanently gone. Dying to self leads to God’s will which brings us new abundant life, with blossoming growth that yields Godly fruits. Our will vs God’s will. Which one do you think will prosper?

Letting go allows us to grow, yields new opportunities, changes our focus, gives us freedom, and opens doors.

It can also award the other person, an opportunity to grow, learn and experience what God has for them.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 48:18-19

God the Father had to let go of someone too: his Son. The Lord knew that for mankind to have the opportunity to know Him since the Fall, He needed to provide a solution – the ultimate sacrificial Lamb in his Son, Jesus. So He offered his own to be born as man and to die as a man, finishing the necessary system of sacrifices for sin. By God the Son temporarily letting go of his position in the Godhead, he taught us how one man’s decision can effectively alter the lives of others for good and for God.

Each one of us can apply at least one if not all of these scenarios. Let’s look closely at our situations. Examine them from a perspective of ‘What can I let go of that will lighten the weight that is on my shoulders?’ When we do this, making such a change, it allows for new life and steady growth.

Just like a tree that lets go of its leaves when the season changes. Those leaves may have been half-eaten by hungry bugs, or dried out from drought; or even beautiful in their rich colors, but all will eventually fall. The tree then rests, and soon begins to grow new healthy leaves. It had to let go of the old to make way for the new.

My son Dane is back at the Army base now. He is happy to be there and I am learning to accept and appreciate the next season.
I let that leaf go, though it will always be a part of my family tree.

May God use this blog to encourage and bless you in ‘letting go and letting God’.

Food for thought: “Families are like branches on a tree: we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.”

Fun facts: When you have the courage to give away things you have held onto for so long, you are giving someone else the moment to appreciate the same.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Letting Go of the Leaves