Learning to Let Go

"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward." C.S. Lewis

 It was a rare Thursday with all three of the kids home, the first since my oldest started college in August. It felt normal, nothing out of the ordinary, just my three children at home where they belonged. They sat at the table together, argued with one another and did a whole host of ordinary things. But for me, for this Momma's heart, it was an extraordinary day. A day where life felt "normal" after many not so normal days. 

Isn't that life though? A lot of normal days that one day become extraordinary because they are no more. Homeschooling my three was normal for so many years until one day it wasn't. We just took a trip to the Apple Orchard that made me feel so nostalgic. Why did an ordinary trip to the Apple Orchard make me feel nostalgic? Because I missed what used to be. I missed me and my three kiddos taking off for the day to the Apple Orchard and the Saturday trips with all five of us, the trip with friends and even the trip with a group of teenagers we no longer influence.

I am learning to let go. Learning to let go of yesterday and embrace the hope of tomorrow. I don't have to wallow in sadness that my oldest has taken flight, I can freely let him go and watch him soar. I can smile at the memories and look forward to making new ones. Look forward to watching each of my children soar one day, each to live the life they are meant to live. I can learn to let go. 

The last few years have brought a lot of changes and letting go, some things I have freely let go of while others I have held on to tight. I am learning, slowly I am learning to let go. There is freedom in letting go. Freedom in letting go of what you thought your life would be and embracing what it is. There is freedom in taking the next step when you can't see where it leads. There is freedom in my Father's hands. 

I don't know what you need to let go of today. Maybe it is time to let go of a deep hurt or maybe it is time for you to let that child take flight and soar. Whatever it is, whatever you are holding onto so tightly I encourage you to let it go. Learn with me the freedom in letting go. God is able to protect your heart, you can trust him.