First Baptist Church of Herndon

Letting Go

Linda Soller | Sep 14, 2015

It was the first day of school in Fairfax County Virginia and I was on my morning walk. As I walked along I wondered what impact the buses, and bus stops might have on my route. Approaching the first set of High School students, five girls to be exact, I observed there were the “I don’t care about the first day of school and you can tell by my clothes” students and the “look out world I am here and you should notice” students. They stood in two groups. Across the street sat a mom in her minivan. She was looking over at her daughter, who was desperately trying to ignore her. She said something across the street, and the girls just continued in their conversation. Finally the mom turned away from the window with a sigh loud enough for me to hear as I moved away from the intersection. Mom was obviously struggling with letting her child head off to high school. I felt sorry for the mom and the daughter. I wanted to impart some wisdom to help them each move past this uncomfortable display. It was none of my business so I kept walking.

Our Lunch Bunch book group read “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis as our September selection. As chance would have it we met on the same day, the first day of school, to discuss our book. There is a chapter in the book where a mom, Pam, is heading toward heaven, but she isn’t there yet. Her brother comes to meet her and all she wants is to see her son Michael who she is sure is already there, even though she is a bit surprised to see her brother. Her brother assures her Michael is in heaven, but she can’t see him yet. Pam is not happy. As it turns out Pam was very attached to her son and when he passed she was so obsessed she neglected the others in her life. Her mother, her husband, and her daughter all suffered because Pam couldn’t let go. In the book, Pam’s brother tells her she has to let go of everything and put God first to truly reach heaven.

Discussing Pam made me think again of the mother at the bus stop. Both moms facing different transitions with their children, and both having a tough time letting go. Moms don’t have a lock on the whole not letting go issue. Dads struggle as well. Just think how God must feel! With so many children to watch over, He probably spends a great deal of time resisting the urge to impose His will. If He hadn’t set us up as independent thinkers it seems to me life would have been less tumultuous, but then again not much of a life. By allowing us to experience life, the good and the bad, He shows his love. His love is being there always for us, which is not the same as keeping us from making mistakes. His love has given us guidance, and boundaries to help us move forward. His love provides our foundation and on it we build our life. With all of this He lets us go forth. By letting us go He allows us to discover His love over and over again, and we know He will be waiting for us to return.

 Have a great week! :o)  Linda