Recently my six-year-old granddaughter propped herself up on my living room table, positioning herself for the big talent show that she would be performing for everyone. With great fervor and freedom of heart, she belted out the 2013 notorious song… “Let it Go.” For her it was so easy and fun to sing. But in reality, what did she have to let go of? What did she know about the adult difficulties of releasing injustices, hurts, parental hardships, painful relationships, or issues of the past?
Years ago I found a poem entitled “Letting Go,” author unknown. Its truths shed insight on some of my own struggles as a mom, a leader, a human being. I ran across it the other day and I wanted to share it. Every time I read it, I’m reminded of the stark reality that though I can’t control a lot of things, I CAN control how I react to them. In almost every case, it requires me to redirect my thinking about the snare.
So what’s gripping you? I believe it’s true. The only way anything can have supreme power in our minds is if we give it permission to settle there. What would letting go look like for you?
Letting Go
To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring. It means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off. It is the realization that I can’t control another.
To let go is not to enable. It is to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is not to admit powerlessness. It means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another. It means I can only change myself.
To let go is not to dwell on what went wrong. It is to focus on the wise thing to do next.
To let go is not to hang in there and try to fix what’s unfixable. It is to release its grip, accept vulnerability, and move forward.
To let go is not to crave or demand justice. It is to let go of your right to demand that the other person make right the wrong that was done.
To let go is not to judge. It is to allow another person to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes. It is to allow others to affect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to be protective. It is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue. It is to search out one’s own shortcoming and correct them.
To let go is not to regret the past. It is to grow and live for the future.
To let go is not to ruminate with fear. It is to fear less, trust in Christ more, and freely give the same love that God has given to you.
Yes, letting go is hard but I think you’d agree that holding on is harder.
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.