Even though I've mentioned the magazine, which I think is great... the name of the magazine is what caught my eye this morning. Living Without. What does that really mean? I found the tab open for the magazine, amongst my other 43 tabs and thought to myself that I really hold on to so much.
* I hold onto so many tabs on my browser, because I haven't had the time to look at them yet and if I bookmark them, maybe I will never come back to it.
* I hold onto magazines because there are so great articles, I don't want to forget about.
* I hold onto items that are filling up our garage, because we may need them someday. (no I am not a hoarder!) Realistic items!
* I hold onto clothes that no longer fit, but since I have been trying to get more healthy, the budget-wise person in me doesn't want to go through the process of buying a new wardrobe. The woman in me does, though! :)
* I even hold onto friendships that their season is dying out, but I'm holding on in hopes that it wont. God gives us friendships. They need to be nurtured and cared for. If one or both parties lets the ball drop, the season of that friendship starts to die out. Sometimes you just need a break as you both are in the process of learning about yourself and then you eventually find your way back together, but sometimes not. I have many such friendships that come back and some that haven't. It is hard to feel like I am not a failure because those friends are no longer an integral part of my life. But really, I know that God has something amazing in store for me, so I just count my blessings for the time I had with that person and learn to move on. Holding on to that hope can eat at you!
* I hold onto the hope that someday I will be the woman God wants me to be, instead of being the woman He made me for right now. Still, working towards that other woman, but being content now is the key.
* I hold onto past hurts and angst, which need to be let go of as they do nothing but hinder me in my walk now.
* I sometimes hold onto my children too tightly. They need to be free to explore and learn and grow, but this mommy wants just a few more snuggles or a few more years of this cute stage before they go off into the real world - like Kindergarten next year for Sweet Pea! Yikes!
* I hold onto the resources that we have. So many children and people out there need to be fed and clothed and yet I worry if my children are going to get "enough" at Christmas or have "the best" birthday party. The woman in the blog doesn't think of herself, she thinks of those around her. What if I just let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect? Let go of my desire to fit into the right scenes or social circles and really focus on what is truly important?!
There are so many other things and ideas I hold onto, but need to let go of. It's just scary to think what is around the next bend. I am reminded constantly of the scene in Finding Nemo when Dory and Marlin are inside the whale's stomach...
- Dory: He says, "It's time to let go!". Everything's going to be all right.
- Marlin: How do you know, how do you know something bad isn't gonna happen?!
- Dory: I don't!
Here is to a new season! A new season of garage sales, friendships, an eventual new season of new clothes *yay*, a new season of letting my children explore more, a season of godly growth, of listening, obeying and carrying out His plans instead of holding them all to myself. A new season of giving more. More time, more resources, more wisdom and letting go of the fears that holds me back. Letting go of the stacks of papers and magazines that clutter up my home and my thoughts. I can Live Without so much if I just set my eyes and heart in the right places and focus on the important things. It is time to be real and focus on the important things that are laid ahead of me, not the ones I place in my path.
Proverbs 21: 2, 20-21 KJV
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Glad you shared your heart on this one. Friendships are a tricky thing...but it is God who brings people into our lives and takes them out. Maybe a season or longer. But it is God who is in control of that. Isn't that awesome?? we don't have to worry about friends coming in and out of our loves as much.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like your perspective on hopes.
I hope you are having a blessed day! {hugs}