Letting Go

 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” ~ Isaiah 43:18-19

As I watch the leaves on the trees in my yard turn from green to gold to brown, I know that soon they will let go altogether and the trees will be bare once again. I am reminded that the seasons change and the trees losing leaves is part of that change. 

Fall colors near Brasstown Bald

Why do trees lose their leaves? In order not to bore you with all the science, briefly, it is because of shorter days and colder temperatures. During these times, trees drop their leaves to conserve water and prevent damage. This allows the tree to reabsorb nutrients that would normally go into the leaves and helps it conserve energy. By doing this, it gets a better start in the spring when the leaves return bright and green. Bottom line: without the letting go there would be no growth and a tree in the winter would become sick and die.

People also experience seasons in life. Our seasons are not cyclical like the tree, but they change nonetheless.

This past year has been a season of letting go. One year ago, we moved out of our dream home, took lots of “stuff” to the thrift shop, loaded up our daughter, five cats and two dogs and moved to another state. I left behind the only town I had ever lived in, friends, children and grandchildren, a church, and a bible study that I taught for almost 10 years. It hasn’t been easy. I cried a few tears and struggled with depression, but it is a season we felt was needed for valid reasons and so here we are.

What I know is this: when I dwell on the “former things” and am constantly looking back at what we left, I cannot perceive the new thing God is doing. My prayer has to become for God to “satisfy me in the morning with [His] steadfast love” (Psalm 90:14). I can’t look back or I won’t look forward (Phil. 3:13-14). Without letting go, I will experience no growth. The only reason I should look back is to count the ways God has blessed us and been faithful over this year. 

The other side of all this seeming gloom and despair, is that not only did we move away from something, we also moved toward something. We are close to more family that we have always lived apart from. We are making new friends. We are getting involved in a new church. We get to watch the seasons change - the falling leaves and the new growth. We have much to look forward to and have been blessed in countless ways. God is doing a new thing.

One thing that will always move with us no matter where we go is our faith and trust in Christ and His steadfast lovingkindness. Not only will we not let go of Him, but He will never let go of us. We can live for Him and live to the fullest wherever we are.

Prayer and reflection prompts:

1. Is God calling you to let go of something in your current season?
   
2. Are you holding on to something that is holding you back from His purpose for you?
3. Is there something you are carrying that you need to give to God or allow others to bear the burden with you? (Galatians 6:2)
4. What is the reason you are holding on and what do you fear will happen if you let go?
5. Have you ever let go of something only to see blessing as a result?

Stay tuned for Holding On.