Letting Go

My experiences with letting go - and, it doesn't have to be hard! Transcript of Episode 8 What does Letting Go have to do with shoes? Let me tell you. I have been struggling a lot recently with letting go. My husband has always said that I am like a dog with a bone, when I have an idea in my head, or decide something I never let it go. It is the same in situations where I should let it drop but still I hang on to a piece, or two, or three ... I was leader of a prayer ministry for many years. I felt nudges at different times in my ministry leadership, telling me that it was time to pass it on, to make room for other things in my life. Even good things you have to let go of at times, and it is to recognise it and follow through without picking it back up, trusting that it is in good hands. I have had a bank account for many years, since UK college days, so when I got a letter from the bank to advise they were closing the account I was upset and angry. I spent frustrating weeks on the phone trying to make human contact, then trying to send faxes that are not accepted, before giving up and letting my son handle the transfers out of the account. One person dealing with it all would be easier and stop account blockage. And Yet, I wouldn’t quite let it go. I started to think of ways I could “help”, checking with my son and basically making a massive nuisance of myself, before finally realising what I should have done all along - to trust him and to LET IT GO! I guess you’re waiting to hear about the offending shoes. Here goes: Well, I was cleaning out my closet last week and came across a pair of shoes, a lovely bright colour turquoise with 5 beautiful large shiny beads on the top of each one. I have only worn them a handful of times, and ages ago, and yet .. I still wanted to keep them. They don’t even fit that well, my little toe and heal come over the edge on my larger foot ( maybe that is why I did not wear them a lot). I showed them to Jess, my daughter, and she confirmed what I was thinking: to give them away. LET GO! And yet ... I kept them in a clear bag at the top of the landing by my desk for days. Every time I passed I thought, come on, do it, but every time I admired the colour ... They are still here, but only until I finish writing this and then I will give them a huge leaving party, ending my relationship with them at last. What are we holding on to that needs to be let go of? God is speaking to me and teaching me things on this journey. Baggage, over-packed things, that are just too weighty and need to be dropped. Letting go does not always have to mean the “end”, as my dear friend put it: “Acknowledge the beauty of the shoe, the ministry, the bank account, what you liked and the season and purpose they served, and your hope for them in THEIR future. In the case of the shoes, they will be treasured and beautiful to someone else. Then, as time goes by, they too will complete their purpose and be laid to rest. And, their impact will remain where they imprinted.” Let’s Pray: Father, In life’s journey we have many weights that we don’t need. Help us, Help ME, to let go when the first nudge is felt, and if need be, give us a sharper nudge, so that our journey can be smoother and more comfortable. Set us free to live your abundant life. It’s what you desire for each of us. Thank you! In Jesus Name Amen OH! Just in case you want to see a picture of the offending shoes, you can look for me on Instagram: it’s the same name as this podcast “His Calm in my Storm”. Thanks for listening to Episode 8 of His Calm In My Storm.