The Day She Forgot – letting go of those you love

Even though I knew the day would come – the day she would forget who I was. When it actually happened, I realized nothing would have prepared me for it.

There were signs leading up to that day. Mom would talk to me like I was someone other than her daughter; then the next day call me by my name. It didn't matter because I was taking care of her and just enjoyed being with her.

The times I saw her start to fade into that other world she goes to sometimes, I would describe it as almost an imaginary place. With little children needing to be taking care of, tables to be set for the guests who were about to arrive, or the meal that would need to be prepared, and even the lights to be turned on in such a way to set the mood – warm and inviting. That world is her commonplace. Not imaginary to her but a familiar place to which she was always hospitable.

When I would stop and ask her to pray with me, she would pray as though she had no Alzheimer's at all! A special seat in her private conversation with Jesus Christ. Beautiful.

She was still my mom. The woman I've always known, hospitable and godly.

So, the day sitting in the doctors office, I thought I was prepared. The doctor asked her who I was… she called me her sister and didn't know my name. Immediately in my head I started to pray, "God please help me find something funny to say to lighten the heaviness of reality!" The reality that she forgot who I was. Nothing came…

That night I cried my heart out to God. He showed me it was clear I had not fully given my mother up to the Lord. Letting go of the woman who raised me to the Lord was painful; like when letting go of my husband and children. Coming to the realization that the people dear in my life are a part of me but not my possession, brings me to my knees. They are Gods and He has control over them. He knows the plan and His plan no matter how bad it looks to me, is good. He is God who created the heavens and the earth... and my mom. She is His and He loves her unconditionally. Letting go can be painful but oh how peaceful it is to know she is in the care of The Almighty God.

My mother might have forgotten me but, I'm in the care of that same God who cares for my mom. He has not forgotten me. This is the place He wants us to be – on or knees with resolve in our heart that we are weak and believe He is in control. He desires to give His children peace. If only we would always go to the one who is the prince of peace and let it all go at His feet.

He knows you by your name and will never forget you.

"For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord ’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

~ Jeremiah 29:11-13 (HCSB)

 

"Heavenly Father, thank you having a plan for my life and for knowing my name. I let go of my loved ones to you. They are not mine but yours. I trust you with their lives and give you complete control."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014



Jump! – letting go to take a leap of faith

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may faint and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

 ~ Isaiah 40:28-31 (HCSB) 

 

As I was sitting at the hair dressers one day, a lady told me of a time her and her husband saw a birds nest in their bush; just outside their screened in porch. They would sit each day and enjoy the wonders of nature as the baby birds hatched and developed. She told me that when the day came for the baby chicks to learn to fly, they had to have lessons. The mama bird took the chicks to a branch of the bush and encouraged them to fly off. She and her husband watched as one by one they would fly down to the ground. Only, she said, there was one that didn't want to take the challenge. The next day the mama bird walked the timid baby chick along the fence behind the bush. She told me, "I couldn't believe my eyes! Was the mama going to nudged her scared baby bird off the high fence? Why would she do that when the others only had a to tackle the feat from the bush?" She began to explain the horror of waiting to see if the chick was going to make it or not. Sure enough the little bird flew down safely to the ground. Maybe the mama knew that the timid chick needed the height of the fence in order not to result in injury or death.

 

When I heard this story, I couldn't help but think of my own struggle of obedience. It's similar to when I find myself not obeying God the first time, then to find out it was harder to obey later. Sometimes, He has to nudge me. God has given us everything we need to do His will but all we see sometimes is what looks like an impending fall.

 

When the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt they had to take a leap of faith. Even though they were enslaved, it was their home and all they knew. To leave and go to an unknown land must have been difficult. Take a look at Moses encouragement to them in Deuteronomy 32:11, "He watches over His nest like an eagle and hovers over His young; He spreads His wings, catches him, and lifts him up on His pinions (HCSB)." Even though they had nothing, God provided and took care of His children. He knew what was needed for them to survive.  

 

Are you struggling with having to let go and take a leap of faith? Maybe God is calling you to missions; a new city; a new job; a new ministry; a walk next door to share the love of Jesus. Whatever the case may be, He already sees the height you need to soar for his glory and will. He is watching over you and gives you exactly what you need, because he cares for you. Live in obedience by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 2:19-20 says, "... I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (HCSB)."

 

Let go and Jump!

 

"Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me strength and protection. I want to soar like eagles wings for your glory. I let go and follow you in obedience by faith to..."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

A Work of Art – letting go to trust Him

In the book, When God Weeps, Joni Eareckson Tada writes an illustration of God's control and plan for the world. She explains it's like a beautiful mosaic – when we only see one little piece of glass, God see's the whole picture. Each and every piece is the perfect size and color, though we don't think what's happening fits. With God's plan, He gets the glory by seeing it from a different perspective. A masterpiece!

In the book of Jeremiah, Jeremiah (a prophet) writes to the Israelites that have been exiled to Babylon. He says in chapter 29:11-14, "For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord ’s declaration —“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the Lord ’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord ’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from (HCSB).” 

As Jeremiah writes God's words to God's chosen people, He encourages them that God's plan is bigger than their circumstance. Exiled from the land God had promised them, one could imagine their feelings of insignificance. He didn't forget them; He brought them to a place they would finally be humble and listen to Him. God loves them still and asks them to trust Him, seek him, and he will restore them.

We can be stuck in our own limited perspective of our lives. Sometimes our plan is not God's plan. When this happens, we begin to feel like we are insignificant to God, or that we must have not been as close to God as we thought we were, or if there is a plan at all. God's Word tells us in Matthew 10:30, "But even the hairs of your head have all been counted (HCSB)." He knows you and loves you. He has a purpose. Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 7:23, "You were bought at a price...(HCSB)." Why would He sacrifice His own son, Jesus Christ, for you if you were not special? He has a plan for your life that will glorify that sacrifice though you. The question is will you let go and let Him humble you so you will trust Him? Maybe what seems to be an undesirable circumstance is an opportunity to grow closer to Him. Just like the Israelites' exile must have seemed a terrible plan or if there was a plan at all, God knew it would draw them closer to Him. They would begin to seek Him and obey. It was all a part of God's bigger plan from a view that has the end in mind.

You are a piece that fits and essential to complete a work of art. Try looking at your life from God's perspective. You may not understand it or see it like He does, but you can trust he is creating you to be a part of a beautiful mosaic. Let go and trust Him.

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (HCSB)

"God, thank you for loving me even though I mess up. Thank you for having a better plan for me than I know. I let go and trust your plan. I will seek you and follow you with my whole heart."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

He's Got This! – letting go of feeling out of control

"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure..."
Hebrews 6:19 (HCSB)

 

The results came in and said it is cancer; the papers arrived and it said divorce; the doctor walked in and said he's gone... the storm has come. Immediately you wonder if you will be swept away or just sink slowly and drown. You feel out of control and after a while you begin to lose hope.

 

If this is you, then there is hope!  Not the kind of hope that you wish or dream of, but a hope that already is and will always be. I'm talking about a hope that anchors you down so you don't get swept away or sink. It's real and safe; not out of control.

 

This hope is faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the hope for all the world when all things seem lost. This world is dying because of sin, wherefore suffering and heart ache occurs. In contrast, heaven is peace. Jesus, God's son, was without sin and therefore, died for all the sins of the world. This has allowed us to have eternal peace in heaven when we die. Believing in Jesus gives us hope that this will all come to an end when we are in heaven one day. Praise the Lord!

 

But what about now? How do we get through life when it seems out of control? Remember, God's got it all under control. After Jesus rose from the dead, walked the earth, and then ascended into heaven; He sent His Spirit to help us in times of trouble. He has given you hope.

The disciples had an experience with Jesus in a storm in Mathew 8:23-27, which says, "As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? —even the winds and the sea obey Him (HCSB)!'”

In a storm on a boat, one never puts down the anchor or you will be destroyed by the waves. The boat is safer riding the waves and going through the storm with the anchor on board. Just as the disciples had Jesus with them in their boat, Jesus is with you. He is your anchor in your storm. Don't release Him or take Him off the boat. If you do, you will only be destroyed by your circumstance. Seek His help from the Holy Spirit and trust Him. He will calm your heart, soul, and mind. Scripture says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (HCSB).”

 

You can make it! You won't drown or be swept away. Don't be afraid to ride out the storm. God's faithfulness to provide you with the Holy Spirit to give you peace in the storm is your anchor to hold you, safe and secure. He's got this! Pray and seek Him in the midst of the storm. Let go of feeling out of control and trust God's plan. Hold on to hope; He will rescue you.

 

 "He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters."

 Psalm 18:16 (HCSB)

 

"God in heaven, I know you are faithful and in control of my life. Thank you for giving me hope. Please help me let go and trust in you. Give me peace in this storm."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014