Hold on or Let Go?

Good evening!

I pray all is well in your life and spirit today. As many who read this blog already know our church family is grieving the loss of a friend this week. Ben Gregor, husband of our Children and Family Ministries Coordinator, Joyce Gregor, who was called home by the Lord early Monday morning. We will gather on Saturday to celebrate his life and the impact he has had in our lives. We will also gather in support of our friend, Joyce, to offer encouragement and love during this very difficult time.

There are other things our church is grieving too. Our youth are grieving the resignation of our Youth Director, Liz Anciaux. Maybe you are grieving a loss in your life as well - the loss of a job, a broken relationship, a strained marriage, a question about your identity or purpose, a loss of faith and hope. Whatever it may be - grief can overwhelm our spirits and the struggle in our lives can create new struggles all their own.

If you are struggling and grieving in any way today, I would like to share a poem with you that I shared with our staff during our meeting this week. While the pain of the grief and the struggle may continue, may this poem offer some insight into what God is calling you to do in the midst of your struggle/grief. Is He calling you to "hold on" or is He calling you to "let go"?

The poem is titled, "A New Way of Struggling" by Susan W.N. Ruach:

"To struggle used to be
To grab with both hands
and shake
and twist
and turn
and push
and shove and not give in
But wrest an answer from it all
As Jacob did a blessing.

But there is another way
To struggle with an issue, a question -
Simply to jump
off
into the abyss
and find ourselves
floating
falling
tumbling
being led
slowly and gently
but surely
to the answers God has for us -
to watch the answers unfold
before our eyes and still
to be a part of the unfolding.
But, oh! the trust
necessary for this new way!
Not to be always reaching out
For the old hand-holds."

"Gracious, unwavering, God. In the midst of my struggle and the pain of my grief, give me the strength and trust that I need to let go. Allow me to experience the journey, even when it appears out of control. Allow me to live into the mystery of this journey with You. I want to trust You as I let go and hold only on to You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."