I'm gonna let it go!

Interesting does not even begin to describe this past week. However, with the exception of the manhunt for a fugitive running around in the woods less than 3 miles from my house, little of the upheaval of this past week has been external.

"Growing up" can mean many things. It can be the physical transformation from child to adult, or the embracing of responsibility. Recently I have found myself "growing up" more by letting go.

We all have situations, circumstances, people who have shaped who we are today. Some of that shaping for the good, some prime material to make something good with. You know, that old cliche, "When life gives you lemons make lemonade!" Around here we like to call them "issues," like belly buttons, everyone has them, but not everyone chooses to clean them!

I've found in my life issues are layered like onions and with the exposing of each new layer comes tears and some stench, but eventually, once I let God deal with them, they will be a beautiful compliment to my life. They will add flavor and spice, and make me more appetizing. (If you don't like onions just play along here....)

This past week has been a time of peeling back the layers. I was amazed at some of the things still hiding on the inside of me. God, in His mercy, decided not to ignore them, but rather to peel, peel and peel some more! Trust me there have been a lot of tears, and I've probably been pretty stinky. Sunday I thought I might die. By Monday I was just numb. Yesterday I started to feel stronger. Today I realize all hope is not lost. I'm still feeling tender and exposed, but as God has continued to pour in His healing "broth" I can tell He's making a splendid dish out of me.

So, I'm letting go of the past, letting go of hurt, letting go of bitterness and holding on to the promises of God. In some ways I feel like Hannah, holding on for dear life to the promises of God, without even words to utter, but knowing that God is faithful and will come through. His word will not return void!

Here's what I'm trying to keep in mind:

Romans 8:26-30 - Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.


I'm letting go, yet holding on. It's complicated, but I know God is working! The layers are being peeled back, but He's creating something magnificent!





"Let It Go" - Tim McGraw

I've been caught sideways out here on the crossroads
Trying to buy back the pieces I lost of my soul
It's hard when the devil won't get off your back
It's like carrying around the past in a hundred pound sack

[Chorus]
Today I'm gonna keep on walking
I'm gonna hold my head up high
I'm gonna leave it all behind
Today I'm gonna stand out in the rain
Let it wash it all away Yeah wash it all away
I'm gonna let it go Oh yeah
I'm gonna let it go Oh yeah

Skeletons and Ghosts are hiding in the shadows
Threatening me with all the things that they know
Choices and mistakes, they all know my name
But I'm through holding in and holding onto all that pain

[Chorus]

I know I know I know I've been forgiven
I know I know I know I'm gonna start living

[Chorus]

Oh yeah