Letting Go for the New Year

Crises, big and small, good and not-so-good, seem to be pouring in at a faster pace than usual these past couple weeks. Can you relate?

There are always a few things on my mind: faith, family, health, finances. Add to them a few extra issues: my dad’s health is unstable right now (not good), my son is home from college for a few weeks (good), my husband caught the cold-going-around (not good), Christmas and time with family (good), my intentional approach to Advent and slowing down this year (mostly good) and now New Year’s considerations (some good, some not-so-good). A former pastor of mine used to call this situation “The pileup effect.” 

I used to think of God as being a bully with these overwhelming seasons. If things are already tough, why add to them? I finally had a lightbulb moment. Perhaps I’m listening more when I’m dealing with a couple tough things. When I’m already listening, why wouldn’t God want to give me a few more situations to exercise my “letting go” muscles?

And so when even more bonus events came rolling in last week: my credit card was fraudulently used, my freezer broke, and the insurance company started to call again about a car accident from six months ago—none of these things had an impact on my stress level. I dealt with them practically and without extra emotion. Pretty cool.

My favorite event from last week was during my drive to see my counselor. I was pondering these so-called crises to determine which I would discuss during my session. A car pulled in front of me, bearing this license plate: “SURENDER.”

Thanks, God.

Here’s a practical, witty, fabulous talk on Letting Go by Jill Sheerer Murray which I know you’ll appreciate and enjoy as much as I did today. Happy New Year! And here’s to Letting Go.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nirKw3mWB3I

Puzzle Glue

School started again and my teenage son made a statement that created another puzzle piece for my life as a mom. “I’m okay, Mom”, he said.”You don’t have to walk me to the bus stop anymore.” Yes, I knew this day was coming. No, I wasn’t as prepared as I anticipated.

Like a thousand-piece puzzle in which I have become fragments of a whole, I continue to mold myself together one small section at a time. To move forward in the stages of letting go is never an easy thing, but I have observed those before me who survived. I can survive it, too. I place another curved edge neatly next to one of the other puzzle pieces for him. As a toddler, he took his first wobbly steps towards freedom. Another piece: the sleepover birthday party. And now: the independent walk to the bus stop.

The puzzle pieces are as varied as the roles I play as a mom. I’m a cook, referee, chauffeur, nurse and disciplinarian. Those various roles are like the various sections of the puzzle—the edges, the middle, the colorful part. Letting go—that’s the part of the puzzle I find most challenging. The puzzle pieces are all the same color and the only clue left is the shape. But all the shapes look the same, and one little step at a time, I test each piece to see if it fits.

The lines of separation are faded by the puzzle glue that is the unconditional love I am blessed to experience as a mom. If I stay in one piece, it’s only because of this love, the puzzle glue holding it all together.

Tip of the week:
Need a boost of fresh motivation for your eating challenges? Get out! When I get out of the house, get out to a support group, get out to a bookstore or a movie, or someplace that rejuvenates my true self, the food issues seem to lessen for a little while. Sometimes it’s all I need.