I told someone recently that I could’ve written ninety days on the theme of Letting Go instead of thirty-one. Because the greatest thing about writing on this theme is the recognition of how much I hold on to. How much I need to let go.
Yesterday, I joyfully let go of my writing time to cuddle a three month old baby. And I didn’t freak out about time swirling down the drain before I discovered another pan on the counter.
I looked into her eyes over the bottle and saw the Kingdom in those fairy wing lashes. Found fulfillment in the simplicity of a sloppy smile, devoid of pretense or expectation. Marveled over the grip of tiny fingers around those of a stranger.
As I cradled that new bundle, swaying under the shade of summer’s low hanging fruit, she burns with life inside, sighs surrender in peaceful compliance. And she helps me to remember who I am, how God sees each of us. Unblemished embers of promise waiting to be stoked into flames of influence for the Kingdom. Despite our circumstance.
All the questions of why and how and when, they fall off my twisted branches. And I understand why He says, “Come to me like a child.” Perhaps I’ll be writing about letting go for awhile.
If you’re reading along this month, how or what have you let go over the past twenty-five days? Let’s encourage one another in the comments.
This is #25 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 Friday. Subscribe to receive the series in your inbox or feed by adding your address in the side bar under Follow Redemptions Beauty.
Oh this baby is so beautiful–a blessed bundle, indeed! Are you two related? I was *literally* just looking at our family’s new little package of pleasure on Facebook–my great niece Savannah Joy. SHe’s so adorable and she, along with all new life, are God’s hope for the future. Her mama, my niece, would love to be able to let go of her job to come home and take care of her full-time. It’s my prayer that she can. I think that that pleases God. Wow! And my little pink surprise package is a gift of twenty years. Eventually, Shelly, we let go our children to adulthood and always to God. But I’ll tell you: Sheridan has kept those flowing fairy-wing lashes of hers (darling description)!! Darling post. Thank you.
We are not related. She is the baby of someone who works for my husband. I didn’t want to give her back, one of the sweetest, easiest gals I’ve had the pleasure of being around.
Oh precious…nothing is more pure then the sweetness of an infant…I continue to glean now that I have a grandlove…oh how they love…and yes…how they trust us so fully. so glad you got this sweet gift today. blessings to you~ I am surprised you are not at allume~
I can’t wait to sit where you are one day with grands Ro. Nope, not at Allume. I’ve never been. Maybe one day.
Oh my that swaying below hanging fruit, I can see that luscious fruit, so heavy with ripeness. Gorgeous writing. The peace of your day settles over me. And you too? I had the thought tonight I will be writing a few days on fear after everyone is finished with 31 days! It’s done the same for me….God’s speaking. I’m listening. Blessings friend.
So glad you jumped in. I think I’ve done this more for me than anyone Nacole. And I’m grateful for what He is teaching me through it. So glad you are feeling the same about your series. I’ve enjoyed your posts when I’ve had time to jump over. Appreciate your visit and love you much friend.
Wow. What beautiful pictures. You are so gifted at capturing God’s glorious creation in words and photographs. I needed to hear your encouraging words today. I’ve been pretty busy-scattered in all the stuff to do, read, and prepare-and while just sitting with the Lord this morning I felt His gentle prompt to read your blog. You’re a blessing Shelly! I miss you.
I miss you too. Think of you almost daily. April seems such a long wait. Glad you stopped by in the midst of the busy Lu. Love you lots.
Dear Shelly…what a lovely post! Your day was well-spent holding that wee one with the fairy-wing lashes. It’s so true…when God gives us the pleasure of letting go of ‘the must get done’ in order to do the ‘so much better than that’ things, we must ‘seize the time’. It may not come again.
Today, I am ‘letting go’ of dreams for my son and his dear wife. A frightening diagnosis. Uncertainty. Sadness—these have prevailed for days now. THEIR lives being drastically changed in a mere moment’s time. Dreams being put ‘on hold’ until they know the full extent of her condition. As their Mom, I’m grieving the losses of the life they THOUGHT they’d have. Yet, their courage and determination to hold onto God and Hope, have strengthened me. Letting go of my dreams for them is allowing God to do a ‘new thing’…and I KNOW He will bring GOOD out of this. He already is.
Oh Jillie! Continuing to pray for your son and daughter-in-law!!!!!
Oh Jillie, this makes my heart sad. And God is the God of healing and restoration. He is still in the business of miracles beyond what we know and imagine. He is so faithful to use our hardship for good. Praying for all of you today and apologize for my delay in responding. I can’t seem to keep up these days. Lots of love to you my dear friend.
Shelly,
I’ve been “attempting” to let go (or at least not hold on QUITE so tightly) to my youngest daughter who left for college a couple of months ago. I thought I was beginning to do better, until this weekend when she confided in me that she is really going through some tough times at school, and dealing with some depression. Talk about my progress going out the window! She’s about 3 hours away from me, and I feel so helpless, unable to do anything to make her feel better. I’m trying to get her set up with a counselor, but cannot get her to agree, thus far. I continue to pray that I remember that I AM NOT IN CONTROL of this, and that He will keep His hand upon her. However, progress on letting go is on “pause” for right now.
Oh my Sherri, this is really a test in letting go isn’t it? I’m going to be where you sit in a few short years and I was just expressing to H that what you are experiencing is one of the things I fear most if she goes far away to college. Which she is planning. And he responded, “She will have to learn how to take care of herself at some point. And you will have to trust that God is taking care of her.” I’m saying a prayer for both of you today. Thanks for sharing.
This was such a beautiful and meaningful post. To let go of all that is unimportant and come like a child into His presence. The pictures of this precious baby I loved. What a delightful time you must have spent with her. Blessings to you.
Joy
I can’t wait to do it again Joy.
Yes, the series of “letting go” is a good one. I have really appreciated the depth of your feelings and you willingness to share them. The measuring up thing is so hard for everyone else to understand, because you “set the bar” for so many and therefore, it’s hard to imagine that you feel the way you do sometimes. Yet, when we are honest, we realize that everyone compares themselves to someone else. You are helping us all realize that we don’t need to feel that way. We are all worthy of God’s love and his blessings.
I don’t see myself as setting the bar Paula. And I think you are right, we all struggle with comparison and its ugliness. Trying to let go of this on a daily basis when it comes to writing. Some areas are harder to let go of than others.