I woke up on my birthday knowing it would be different. The way you know pancakes and bacon sputter on the grill from your warm spot in bed.
Thoughts of close friends living in distant cities swirl dust halo over my dream fragments in early morning. For a brief moment, I close my eyes again, return to the smiles I sat next to in the nursery, laps full of flailing arms and tiny toes of weary. The girlfriends of shared lament during the no sleep stage, women I raised my hands next to in worship and cried with in prayer circles.
My heart aches to sit on the bench of belonging on this day in particular. To laugh with the ones who finish my sentences and order for me while I’m in the restroom. Instead, I rise to the day making peace with the seat of loneliness among strangers.
Will you join me at BibleDude.net today to finish the story? It’s my first official post at Living the Story and I would be honored to visit with you there in the comments. I’m telling the story of letting go on my birthday. Psst, it has a miraculous ending.
This is the fifth post in the series 31 Days of Letting Go. You can read the collective here. If you are a writer, I invite you to link up any post you’ve written on the theme of letting go in the comments here on Redemptions Beauty today. We’ll do this on Friday of each week so we can glean from your perspective. Subscribe to receive the series in your inbox or feed by adding your address in the side bar under Follow Redemptions Beauty.
Decided to post comment here rather than BibleDude. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. It’s such an encouragement and a wonderful reminder that God not only sees our every care, but will address each one, big or small. He is always waiting to answer when we call. I wrote about letting go earlier this week. http://www.deidramanning.com/2012/10/when-holding-on-means-letting-go.html
It’s easy to forget, that He cares about all the details, the things that matter to us even if they seem insignificant in the big picture. Thanks for sharing your story Deidra, really enjoyed your perspective on letting go of the things we hold on to with blistered palms. Great imagery in your writing.
You have been faithful Shelly and God has answered. Praise him for “clumps” of miracles, for answered prayers that circled and waited to be answered. I was listening to Sarah Groves song “Miracle” last week looking at turquoise water. Thought of you. Someone has been listening … Here’s the link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMciVpRF5Q0
Grateful you found your place at the BibleDude!
I love that song Dea. I listen to her almost every day when I walk. Her lyrics have always ministered to me. Thanks for thinking of me, you made me smile today just knowing that.
They are blessed to have you there. Left my comment love there. And am linking my post today about letting go through dancing in the daily. http://www.wynnegraceappears.com/2012/10/Dancing-Movement-Of-The-Heart-Day-5/
Shelly, I loved this post, but I love everything you write. And you are so kind. Thanks for letting me fill up the comment section–here are my pieces on letting go, if anyone wants to read. I had a hard time choosing just one. Enjoy. Blessings and love.
http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/2011/12/seasons-31-days-to-holistic-christ.html
http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/2012/07/fear-wont-stop-you-and-gratitude.html
http://sixinthehickorysticks.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-cold-hurting-sad-and-despondent.html
How it blesses me to know that He blessed you on your special day.
I’ve had to let go of my plans lately. In this post I explain how I find myself somewhere completely unexpected as I connect even more dots than I did before. Connecting Even More Dots… http://journeytoepiphany.com/2012/09/27/connecting-more-dots/
Shelly, This is a story I wrote last week, and it has “letting go” behind the words. After praying so long – most of my life – it is hard to just “let go” now with the death of someone I don’t know for sure gave heart to the Lord…but God keeps speaking to me to believe and trust He did not let him go. Something I’ve felt he has been assuring me of over the years as I’ve prayed too… So this is one of my stories along this theme… 🙂 (I don’t think I’m done writing about how God is “letting me know” but here is the first part…)
… http://wordglow.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/watershed-prayers/