Titus turned 14 last week. He grew up under my desk, nestled in a basket sitting at my feet. It’s been a long, fun-filled, at times challenging journey. And now we find ourselves at a point of transition.
The Veterinarian says he is getting older and we need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable. But my heart isn’t ready to let go just yet. He’s our fur baby and will always be.
But the truth of his aging doesn’t stop my attempts to fix the current signs of his failing condition—perhaps a different diet, less exercise, or swimming instead of walking. Maybe a softer bed will better support his frail frame or a different joint support chew will be the answer.
My attempts to control and fix Titus are like trying to stop the earth in mid-rotation and then push it in the opposite direction. It may sound like a decent plan to reverse the devastation of our planet but it won’t work. And all my fussing, stressing, and manipulation won’t delay the future.
At some point, I have to accept that I am not God and can’t reverse, change, or repair the brokenness in my life, my dog’s aging body, or the challenges that arise as I walk through this life.
At some point, I have to let go and let God.
I need to rest in God’s demonstrated ability to bring good from all that breaks, ages, and decays. And not only bring good but also use it to mature and change me.
Why do these lessons have to be so hard? Why do they tear at our hearts and cause us to hold tighter, try to control more, and ache for something different? They push us to a place of dissatisfaction and striving and it is there that our faith is stretched and our trust is strained. But perhaps getting to the end of ourselves is not a bad place to land. It could be that once we are at the end, we are free to let God be God.
When we find ourselves backed into a corner, at the end of our ability to effect change, that is where we recognize we only have two options – let go or dig our heels in.
The digging-in is easy. We all have practiced the skill and know what it takes to reject God’s loving direction. But the letting go – that is the tough one.
Letting go opposes our nature, cultural influences, and family upbringing. We are encouraged to be independent and self-sufficient. But surrender can feel as if we are being robbed of our perceived power and that is a vulnerable uncomfortable place. One that, given time, causes us to fight against God’s best for us.
How are you doing with letting go? When was the last time you loosened your grip of control and let God be God? If it’s been a while since you’ve listened to God’s sweet whisper, consider these words from the wise King David,
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message
I am slowly learning that all my efforts to right the world from its evils are pride. Somewhere along the way, I started believing the lie that I had enough ability, education, and determination to single-handedly save all the broken people and things. But I don’t and neither do you. So Beloved, my prayer for you today is that you come to the end of your ability to do and that you let go and let God be God.
Be Blessed His BeLOVED,
Here is a beautiful reminder to trust in the God that changes everything.
Trust in God – Elevation Worship
BeLoved 
Such perfect timing as we experience some transitions thank you for so eloquently talking it through!! 🥰
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Thank you Allison. Your messages really speak to me and I appreciate them. Don’t know if you remember me, but I worked
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