Letting Go

Letting go.

 I wish it was as easy as just opening up your hand...

...the way it was this week when I let go of my birthday balloons.

Many of you know I just celebrated a milestone birthday about a month ago.

 And I'm okay with all of that.
~

A few weeks had passed and the balloons that I received
had been floating around in my dining room ever since that day.

To be honest, I was kind of tired of watching them bobbing up and down,

 and nearly getting caught up in the ceiling fan.
Also, sometimes temporarily forgetting they were there,
I would see these figures moving out of the corner of my eye.
When you are home alone, this can be a bit spooky!

 Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed getting them.

But usually they lose their helium and start sinking after a few days.

Not these.

So, hubby Jim came up with the idea to let them go...so I did!
After I released them, I was amazed as I watched them getting smaller and smaller...
...as they glimmered in the sunlight on their journey upward.
I thought to myself, I wish it was that easy to let other things go that I hold onto.
~
It is so easy to say that I will "let go and let God"...
...it sounds so spiritual, doesn't it?
And sometimes I think I'm successful at doing so.
At least for a while.

Until I find myself taking that burden back...
...or until the next family crisis or other stressful situation occurs.
~
The longer I stood there and watched them drift farther up into the clouds,
I thought to myself, if only I could relate my burdens to those helium-filled balloons,
I wouldn't be able to take them back if I tried...unless I sprouted wings and took off after them!
(I don't think that will happen any day soon :))
So praise be to God...He is using those balloons to teach me something!

In the midst of turmoil just this past week, 

I was reminded that the word of God tells us that we are not to worry.

Worry does nothing but ruin our day, on top of everything else!

This, of course, is easier said than done, but the Lord makes it possible.
~
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6

And here's the best part.
 When we learn to let things go...even really big things,
that very next verse in Philippians starts happening...
...and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7
~
I don't understand how those three-week-old balloons could fly so high...
...so high that we could no longer see them.
I also don't understand how God can take away our burdens...just like that.
I'm glad I'm learning that it's not my responsibility to understand...
...it's my responsibility to keep trusting Him...and to keep letting go.
~
Have a blessed week, my friends :)

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