Let Go

Life is funny. Last week, as I mentioned in my blog, I got to accompany our granddaughter, June, to the Betty Brinn Museum with her classmates. This week, I got to accompany my husband to the emergency room. Three times.

More tests are needed in the coming weeks, but he is doing fine. I wish I could say the same.

When unexpected things like this happen, it really sends my sense of being in control, out of control. It’s a powerful reminder of how precarious life is and how ridiculous it is to think we have control.

That control impulse is developed early in life. It doesn’t take long before we falsely believe that everything depends on us. Our sense of safety and security depends on how well we can plan for and manage the unpredictability of life. This coping mechanism takes root to ensure that nothing will hurt us, but it also ensures us a straight path away from the peace that God intends for us. A peace that only comes if we can resign ourselves to the reality that life will more often than not, play out contrary to our expectations, hopes, and desires.

In the words of renowned French Catholic priest and author, Fr. Jacques Philippe, “The surest way to lose one’s peace is to try and assure one’s own life.” In his writings, he emphasizes that true peace is a gift from God that cannot be taken away by external disruptions, as long as we maintain trust in God.

Easier said than done.

For all of us control freaks, this might sound impossible. If the thought of giving up all control has your palms sweating, I have a suggestion that should assuage you. It sounds contradictory, but I think the first step to letting go of control is realizing there are some things we CAN control. We have control over our choices and our attitude. We can work at adopting an attitude of acceptance of life’s unpredictability, and choose to loosen our grip and begin to trust and surrender even just a little.

Look for situations this week, where you can let go. Trust that you are not alone and that each small step of release will bring a bucket load of freedom and peace.

Joan