Loosening The Grip

As Braden prepares to graduate pre-school today, his momma has been reflecting on how far that boy has come. He has gone from the little boy who with all his might would cling to my legs, alligator tears streaming his face to the little man who now walks confidently into his school. I am so proud of my son. It has been such a joy to watch him take the necessary steps to achieve this feat.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there were many days I would drive to work with the same alligator tears streaming my face. Oh, how I wanted to save him the agony. I would pray. Boy, did I pray. I knew all too well the anxiety he was feeling. I’m sure we can all relate anytime change and unfamiliar territory are being explored. I would pray that Brady would know he was never alone. Truly know and trust in the fact that even when Mom and Dad aren’t around, he is not alone. He was always being watched over, protected and taken care of. I wanted him to become familiar with God’s presence at this tender age and rest in that. As much as I wanted to save my son from all that he was going through, I knew I could not. My job was to trust wholeheartedly the One who had blessed me with him. Just as I wanted Braden to trust…I had to do the same. I knew the steps Braden needed to take were for his own good…regardless the pain it brought the both of us.

This morning, as my mind was flooded with memories, the thought occurred to me. Do we ever outgrow this? When change comes about don’t we often face it kicking and screaming? When asked to step out into unfamiliar territory our first response is to hold on to our comfort zone with the death grip. Yet, our loving Father knows it’s necessary to develop us into the person He has called us to be. Regardless of how difficult or painful, great or small the sacrifice action is required to bring about our transformation. In the midst of it all, we have a Father who wants for us to cling to Him and loosen the grip on what’s comfortable. To walk confidently knowing we are never alone. He longs for us to be familiar with His presence and rest in it in the middle of uncertainty.

Now, I am in training just like the rest of us. I certainly have not arrived to any “pro” status by any means. Just recently, I threw quite the spiritual tantrum when change came my way. But, one thing I do know. Anytime I have surrendered myself to the change God was trying to bring about, I have never regretted it. I can look back over the storybook pages of my life and see God’s gracious hand at work. I am not the person I once was…nor with His help will I stay the same person I am today.

~ Terica