There is something moving and inspiring that upon viewing it tonight had me returning to a thought it prompted in December about letters, sending postcards, being in touch in the distance. I have been thinking a lot about distance these days. I have been hosting my mom who is visiting from CT, and then my brother who was here for a quick trip before he comes back on Saturday with Meghan and Courtney who is flying in from Florida for a week in Lex-Vegas. My family with the exception of my dad all live away from me. The distance between us varies, but there are hours that separate their homes from mine. I am also about to experience an adventure which will put me in a 6 hour time difference for five weeks. I have thought a lot about that distance. I have freaked out and celebrated it all at the same time.
The movie also makes me think about what lasts. What changes. What evolves. What continues.... and then finally what we let go of. I didn't notice that particular theme when I watched it in December but tonight I caught the three times it was mentioned and thought quietly to myself as I considered what letting go has meant in my life. How I have had to let go in the midst of conflict in order to mend a hurt. How I have said that I was letting go as a means not to end a disagreement but to grow and restore a relationship. How I have had to silently release a deep rooted regret in order to allow healing to begin taking place.
Letting go. I know that for me and many it goes hand in hand with holding on. I pray for discernment in those contexts daily.
On this rainy and dreary evening that is beginning its transition into tomorrow I think and pray about areas that the Lord is stirring my heart that signal and highlight places I need to let go. Places that its time to take the next step and release whatever control I have tricked my mind into thinking I have and give it to the Father. All the while noticing too, places that I need to also stop running so hard and stand still... and hear the Father whispering, "Child Be Still". In that moment, hearing that voice the perfect balance takes place. The ability to let go and hold on in the very same instant, while shifting control out of my head which isn't real and allowing grace to take over and replace it with truth... I think of all of those places and without feeling overwhelmed I just pray for guidance... I pray for peace... I pray for courage. I pray to respond to the soft voice that can be drowned out in all the noise, that calls me to rest, to be still... to know when and where to hold on and to do so with confidence in the Father.
It's amazing how one movie can stir one thought at one time, and then months later draw something completely different out of you. Perhaps because I made it through without crying hysterically about one thing allowed me to listen and hear the other.
"I need you to tell me...
I need you to tell me,
Child Be Still.
Child, Be Still"
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