MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. -- If you’ve watched the Disney movie “Frozen” then you are probably very familiar with the following lyrics in the chorus of the song, “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel which says, “Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore.”
There are times in life when we must let things go that we’ve been holding on to for so long. This would include such things as unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, envy, resentment, and anything else that can prevent someone from moving forward in life.
Pastor Rob Bell tells a story about his son who loved to collect seashells at the beach. The son would scour the sand for hours to see what new shells were left after high tide. One day the son had a handful of shells when he spotted a big starfish floating in water not very far from the shore. He ran into the water to grab the starfish but would then run back to the shore without picking it up. After a few more trips out into the water to grab the starfish and return to the shore empty handed, his father asked why he just couldn’t grab the starfish instead of letting it float farther away. To the father’s question, the son simply replied, “Dad, I can’t grab the starfish because my hands are full of shells!”
What a powerful, insightful response from a child! So let me ask you to reflect on a few questions: How would you describe the “shells” that are consuming so much of your life? What does the “starfish” represent in your life? What things are you holding on to so tightly that you can’t release them and instead pick up something of greater value? What is preventing you from just letting things go?
Letting go can be very hard, but it is absolutely necessary if one wants to move forward after any loss, such as a failed relationship, death of a loved one, loss of a job, or even not accomplishing something on our bucket list. If you are struggling to let something go, I would encourage you to find a sacred ritual that allows you to let go and grab ahold of the “starfish” that is right in front of you. This can be challenging but we were not designed to hold on to things that keep us from moving forward.
In my Christian tradition, I take comfort in the amazing power of forgiveness that King David mentions in Psalm 103:9-12, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, not will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities; For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
My prayer is that you remember this reflection article the next time you visit the beach and let go of the things that are holding you back. Just let them drop into the water and be swept away with the surf, never to be seen again!
Your SCANG Chaplain Corps is honored to care for your soul and is available 24/7 to help you. Remember, it’s the strong warrior who reaches out for support in time of need. Please call on us to support you, your family or another Swamp Fox in need.
STRONG BONDS COUPLES EVENT FOR MARRIED AIRMEN
22-24 SEPTEMBER IN HILTON HEAD, SC
Call 803-647-8089 or email Carolyn.T.DeLille.civ@mail.mil for more information