When It's Time To Let Go

Me and my dad-circa 1960

Why is letting go so hard? I'm a master at holding on…a wimp at letting go.

My dad died in August of 2011. As of Monday, I still had his clothes in my possession. Four boxes sat in tidy stacks in my garage. I wasn't ready to let go of the physical part of him that remained.

I have our memories, the good and the bad. Fortunately, the bad memories are fading. I've chosen the path of forgiveness. He earned that before he died.

My epiphany came at Christmas this past year. I was reading early on Christmas morning, before everyone else got up, about Jesus giving up Heaven's glory when He came to earth as a baby; how He chose to humble Himself and be born in a cave with animals looking on. As I was reading, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "What about your dad's clothes, are you ready to give those up now?"

I knew the issue wasn't clothes, it was about letting my dad go. But God used that moment to get my attention.

His Son knew all about letting go.

Oswald Chambers says:
"We must build our faith not on fading light but on the Light that never fails. When "important" individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do––to look into the face of God for ourselves."

Me and Dad-circa 2007

My dad was a gentle, humble man. He didn't have many worldly possessions by the time he came to live with me. His clothes and shoes were all he had left and I wanted them to count for something.

I want to imagine him smiling from Heaven. I can see his eyes dancing now…

"But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…

2 Timothy 4:16-17 NKJV

And this is what I did…

I donated his clothes and shoes to June and Carroll Emery and friends who are having a huge yard sale on Saturday, April 26th, to benefit Christian Learning Centers of the Upstate. I've written about this organization in a previous post.

I think he would be happy to know the funds raised will help children and teens learn about Jesus.

Letting go is a process. It has a different time table for everyone. Be patient with those you love. Give them grace and kindness.

Stay the course and don't let anyone tell you when it's your time to let go. You'll know, and God will direct your steps in how to do it.

He has never failed me. It took thirty-eight years for me to finally grieve and let my mom go. 

Life is a series of grabbing hold and letting go. The key is looking to the Master, walking close enough to hold His hand. One thing you can be sure of, He will never let you go.

Blessings from My Little Corner,

Cindy

P.S. If you live in the Upstate of South Carolina and are interested in the yard sale, please contact me through the blog or Facebook and I'll give you directions on the location of the yard sale.