I said goodbye to a sister today…Today was tough. Real tough. You rarely see tears run down my cheeks but today the waterfall poured, and it wasn’t beautiful like a Hawaiian waterfall. It was ugly crying but then followed much peace. Isn’t it amazing how God provides such peace in the most difficult times in our life?
Ok, I am wallering (Is that even a word or just a southern made-up word?!) in my hurt right now. There was no physical death. I didn’t say the words “good-bye,” I just said, “I will see you in your next season.” Seasons. Blah! Sis, can they really stink or what? Some are great but this season stinks just like my boys’ bedroom. Does anyone have Febreeze?!
The Bible tells us about seasons and has scriptures on seasons.
My favorite scripture on seasons in the Bible is Ecclesiastes 3:1-22.
For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
See, when we love someone so much we would do anything for them, that includes letting them go so they can walk this season safely and rely fully on Jesus. Does it make it hurt less? NO way. Does it feel like a physical death? Yes, because there’s no contact but thank God it’s not. What I love about seasons is that they are only temporary. God told me specifically for the “ending of this season in her life,” I don’t know how long that is but I know a Season doesn’t last for eternity even though it may feel like it. You know how summer gets super hot and you dream of a cool fall breeze?! That’s how it feels while you are in a waiting season, but you know Fall and that nice cool breeze is just around the corner. You won’t stay in one season your whole life so don’t fret. Count sheep or do something to pass the time but don’t pick at your gel nails. That’s a lot of money to fix. I may have a $50 nail bill each week after this.
My words given to me by the Lord for this year were “Let Go”…Can I be completely honest?? I did NOT want to hear God speak these words to me. Like, I ignored Him. Just being real.
Ok God…give me something really good besides “Let Go.” Really? I mean how about anything but those words. Those words mean hurt to me and I don’t want to live a year of hurt. I was being completely selfish as I heard Him whisper….”You don’t want to Grow?!” Ouch. Burn. I need a bandaid. “Yes Lord, I do want to grow but I don’t”…then I stopped and thought how selfish I am sounding right now. Letting go is not bad. We have to let go to get the better, we have to let go to grow, we have to let go to conquer our fears, we have to let go to get to His promises for us and in this case, I had to let go so my sister could let go and fully trust in Jesus in her situation. We both had to “let go.”
Am I sad? Oh yes! I never had a sister. I am the oldest of 3 and my brothers are both younger. Now, don’t get me wrong I love my little brothers but I always enjoyed watching sisters and loved how you had a built-in best friend. Yes, every girl they dated was scared to come to meet the family because of the warnings about their older sister. I laugh because I just really wanted them happy but I also laugh because those gals will treat my brothers right or here comes big sister. They actually hate it but that’s ok. This gal was MY sister but I know that to protect her, I had to let her go.
You may be asking, why? Shouldn’t you walk with your sister in Christ? Shouldn’t you be there to support her? My answer is,” it’s very complicated.” I prayed and the Lord told me to stop all communication and that I couldn’t be in the “ending of this season in her life.” You see, why I don’t like the words “let go?” It’s hard but I will always listen to the Lord because not only am I helping her but the growth I have taken in such a big stance has come with so much peace.
I am trusting God to take care of her. I am trusting God that this next season will be one of our best ever as Sisters. I am just trusting God.
Who do you need to “Let Go” of? I am praying for you. It’s tough. I can feel the little crack in your heart too but just remember this season won’t last forever. I’m giving you an air hug right now.
Just remember that He has spoken to you so hold these two Words close.
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23
I said “see you in your next season” to my sister today. Oh, how I am counting down the days until I can say “Hey Sis! Oh, how much I have missed you and have been #prayingfromadistance! Let’s rock this new season!” (Oh, I need to stop hugging her now! HAHA!)
