Let it go!

Our young puppy has a problem letting go.  Her mouth is usually the culprit.  Already, at 8 months old, Zoe has a hankering for certain items that don't belong to her.  Shoes. Flip Flops. Eye Glasses. Socks. All these items have seen their way outdoors onto the soppy wet grass.  Better yet, Zoe dunks these items in the doggie swimming pool.  We call it "baptism by immersion."

You'd think we'd be quicker on the draw and take precautions to stop such thievery.  Oh, we do try.  But, once the game starts, it's hard to get it back. Keep away at it's best.  She's faster. Of course, I want to belt out the song from Frozen to my pooch..."Let it go, let it go...PLEASE let it go!"  but to Zoe, the words may as well be "Blah, blah, blah, Zoe, blah, blah, blah."

Let it go.  There are a ton of things in our life that we could let go of.  Let go of the past that can't be changed. Let go of trying to be in control. Let go of anger.  Let go of those that hurt us.  Let go of the mistakes that continue to haunt us.  Let go of condemnation.  Let go.  Let go.

I think sometimes it's just plain hard to let go.  We want to hold on tightly to the past, yet as we do, we miss out on the present.  We miss out on what God wants to do today, tomorrow and in the future. You and I can't control the past.  The past is the past.  But, what we can do is embrace today and grab hold of God's grace.

What do you need to let go of today? Bitterness? Anger towards someone? A past relationship? Give up what you cannot control to embrace what you can.  God is ready to forge a new path in your life. A good path.  But, you must trust Him for your life.  Believe that He is God.  He is in control.  You are not.  A good reason to let go, right?

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:12-13

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.