LET IT GO

LET IT GO

 Letting go of hurtful relationship issues is a real challenge for most of us.  The following apropos story is an excerpt drawn from “Guiding Your Family in a Misguided World” by Pastor Tony Evans.

 One day, two monks were walking through the countryside.  They were on their way to another village to help bring in the crops.  As they walked, they spied an old woman sitting at the edge of a river.  She was upset because there was no bridge, and she could not get across on her own.  The first monk kindly offered, “We will carry you across if you would like.”  “Thank you,” she replied gratefully, accepting their help.  So the two men joined hands, lifted her between them and carried her across the river.  Once they got her to the other side, they continued on their way.

 After they had walked another mile or so, the second monk began to complain. “Look at my clothes,” he said.  “They are filthy from carrying that woman across the river.  And my back still hurts from lifting her.  I can feel it getting stiff.”  The first monk just smiled and nodded his head.

 A few more miles up the road, the second monk griped again, “My back is hurting me so badly, and it is all because we had to carry that silly woman across the river!  I cannot go any farther because of the pain.”  The first monk looked down at his partner, now lying on the ground, moaning.  “Have you wondered why I am not complaining?” he asked.  “Your back hurts because you are still carrying the woman.  But I set her down five miles ago.”

 That is what so many of us are like in dealing with our families.  We are that second monk who cannot let go.  We hold the pain of the past over our loved ones’ heads like a club, or we remind them every once in a while, especially when we want to get the upper hand, of the troublesome burden we still carry because of something they did years ago.

 For your physical, emotional and spiritual health, just let it go.  As the gospel hymn wisely suggests, “Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!