Lately, I've been telling my daughter about the importance of letting go. She's an only child with many cousins and is a soon-to-be stepsister. She shares well but there are times when her selfishness conflicts with her gentleness. Of course, this characteristic of a 4 year old is typical. And because it is typical, I also want to teach her the importance of giving.
Trinity's room is filled with tons of STUFF. Toys that rarely or never get played with anymore, books passed down and ripped and others that she simply have grown out of; missing pieces to games and puzzles and a slew of other things that are nameless and soon forgotten. Because of this, I've mentioned that we'll be giving away some of her toys to less fortunate kids for the holiday season.
"I don't want to give any of my toys away!" she always immediately says, with a look of terror on her face, almost tears in her eyes.
I gently explain that some kids have no toys, some even no food or clothes or shoes, like she does.
"But I want toys for Christmas!" she says back.
"Yes. But you have to make room by giving in order to receive," I say.
As Trinity sleeps, I thought about those words. And it hit me. Letting go doesn't just mean letting go of the tangible items are piled up and cluttering your room. It includes things that are cluttering your life. Negative thoughts, ideologies, people, relationships, etc. And although I know this directly; I'm sure I've indirectly practiced holding on to things I simply don't need. Like old clothes & shoes. I'm realizing that my room is just as cluttered as hers. I have to show her how to get free! It's not enough to tell her; the concept must be put into action--and I am her teacher.
Picture someone extending their hand to receive a gift. Now picture that hand, closed. It would be hard to receive a gift if your hand is closed right? Exactly! Open your hand and shake off the dead things that don't belong. In order to reach a new level, we must let go of what was. The next step is much lighter that way.
So I think we'll unpack our stuff together. Talk about it, reminisce, set it aside and move on. Clear our space, clear our minds. Smile at the thought of giving to those who don't have and prepare patiently for what God will place in our hands. No one person is above giving, not even Trinity's mom. She looks to me for guidance and understanding while seeing me as smartest person alive. Still, even Mommy's have things they hold onto for far too long. I'll teach her to handle and release the baggage. We've got places to go!
