Let Go of the Lid Already

 It's hard to believe that it's now been almost 13 months since we said goodbye to our wonderful, unique, but Ohsotiny home.  I loved its history and the memories we made but it was time to move on to bigger spaces! 

The process of selling our home and buying a new(er) one proved to be an experiment in "hurry up and wait."  I'm not the best waiter.  I mean, I've never been a waiter or a waitress and I'm sure I wouldn't be good at that either, but that's not what I'm talking about.  We signed on approximately a bajillion dotted lines, and prayed.  I prayed and prayed and prayed some more, but instead of just exercising my faith, I did whatever I could in my own power to move things forward. (Not a good idea, FYI).

I got more and more frustrated at the lack of speed in the whole process, until one day I had the most vivid picture in my mind.  When one of my kids can't open a jar, they twist the lid and grunt and after a few tries, they bring it to me.  They ask me to help, but they still hold on to the lid.  I try to open it for them, but their little fingers are still there, sometimes twisting in the wrong direction completely.  To open their "prize", I have to pry their hands loose first.  Only when their hands are out of the way can I take over and do what they are too weak to do.

That image made me realize exactly what I was doing.  Not only were my own efforts not helping, but they were probably delaying things!  All I really needed to do was step back and take my fingers off the lid.  When my weak and frail efforts were removed, I was finally allowing God to lead us through that transition in His timing and His will.  It's a lot easier to see that in retrospect.  When I'm grappling with something that I really can't change....it's time to let go and hand over what I'm trying to open-to the only One who knows what is best for me.