Monday Minute with God: What I’m Learning by Dawn Hoffman

Let It Go!

No, I’m not going to break out in song. You see, I’ve always had a problem with letting go. For whatever reason, I find it easier to trust myself with the things most precious to me, even though I have a track record of thoroughly messing things up on my own.

It makes no sense. But, that’s who I am, and it’s admittedly one of my weaknesses.

It’s ironic that I fell in love with and married a Marine, and have lived this not-even-close-to-being-in-control lifestyle for the last 26 years.

God truly must have a sense of humor.

The rubber hit the road recently when I placed my 18-year-old son on a plane to the US from Japan where we are currently stationed. He was going to Minneapolis to move himself into his dorm room and begin his college experience…by himself.

His closest family/friends are 6 hours away. This is the same kid whose school bus I followed on the first day of kindergarten (with binoculars) to make sure he got in the school ok and that someone responsible was watching him.

He’s the same kid whose bathroom stats I tracked every day to make sure he was getting enough fiber, until he finally told me to knock it off and that I was being weird.

So, you’re getting the picture. A serious problem “letting go.”

What I’m Learning

After my son left, I didn’t sleep well at night. I woke up to check my phone, knowing he was in the middle of his day on the other side of the world.

  • What if he lost his wallet?
  • What if he got sick and needed me?
  • What if he got mugged?

What if? What if? Anxiety and fear, at times, totally got the best of me. Some very recent losses in my family occurred just months before he left. I kept the door to emotions wide open for worry and doubt to become my “go-to” feelings.

Not good…not good at ALL.

God began dealing with me about this one morning a few months ago.

How I’m Learning

Listen when God relates a Bible passage to your life. As I read the Bible, I sensed God reminding me that He is always faithful, even when I suffer loss.

In Genesis 22, I reflected on Abraham, who was asked by God to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering by his own hand. God showed me a connection with my life in that Abraham loved Isaac no less than I love my own kid.

Follow examples in Scripture. The Bible shares many stories that are examples of trusting God with All In faith.

Think About It

Abraham trusted God, willing to obey Him to the end. He had the courage to obey Him with his whole heart. THIS is real trust!

An example to follow, Abraham had the kind of trust that God wants from us too–the no-matter-what kind.

Trusting God with the most cherished parts of your life (your husband, your children, your career, your finances and security, etc.) can be scary and really difficult. We can only trust when we let go of control, believing God is all in for us. This can be especially hard if you’ve experienced the pain of loss.

Knowing intimately what loss feels like and then laying down your “heart” takes All In faith.

Blessing truly comes, as it did with Abraham, when we let go of our sweet, prized relationships. With faith and courage, we can allow God to wholly and completely have them–totally trusting Him for their very lives.

We can look at life in the context of eternity and God’s absolute greatness.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

This takes obedience and courage. It takes being ALL IN!

All In

“Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:33 HCSB

When I put my kid back on the plane to head off to college again, I will trust that God KNOWS him better, LOVES him better, and HOLDS a better PLAN for him than I could ever imagine.

Trusting God with All In faith frees me to let go of my need for control.

God IS faithful. He loves you, your family, and your friends more than you can imagine. He has a plan and purpose for every trial and struggle you go through.

What keeps you up at night? What steals your joy? What seems to fill you with fear and dread?

With All In faith, LET IT GO.

Dear God,

You know what plans you have for us. You know every hair on our heads. Help us Lord, when we become afraid and let our fears and worries lead us to doubt You. Help us to see our lives in light of eternity. Forgive us for our unbelief and help us to know that there is nothing in our lives, not even those things most precious, that we cannot trust You with.

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