I’m sitting in a booth at a coffee shop with two friends, something that feels like a luxury since it hasn’t happened in so many months. We’re talking about what the future holds, where we’ll go from here, and what we want to leave behind.
One friend pulls out a small cardboard box, and inside are blank notecards. “I’ve found new clarity about my purpose,” she tells us, “And I’m going to let certain things go.” She asks us to bear witness as she writes these distractions down, then tells us she’s going to bury them in the ground. “I’m laying them to rest,” she says.
What struck me was that nothing she wrote down was a bad thing, just a few professional hopes, goals, and dreams. They simply weren’t the best things for her. They’d become energy drainers, weighing her down and leading her away from what she knew to be the direction God was asking her to go.
We’re in a unique place in our story as humanity. We’ve been through a great tragedy, a season of difficulty, and such times often bring with them a renewed sense of clarity about what matters most to us.
We realize the laughter of our children is more beautiful than the notifications on our phones.
We fall in love again with the taste of strawberries, the tickle of grass on our feet, or the person sharing our home that busyness had almost made a stranger.
We feel in our bones and our souls the ways we are out of alignment with God’s design for us in our work or our worship.
We take nothing for granted because we know now it could all be gone in a moment, ice cream in the heat of life’s sun.
We set down some of our baggage — commitments, obligations, meetings on our calendars — and we find ourselves wondering if we really have to pick them all back up again.
Jesus said, “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NLT). Before rushing back into everything, we’re allowed to pause and ask, “What feels heavy in my life that I might not have to carry anymore?” I understand many things in life aren’t optional. We all have our have-to’s that can’t be delegated or ignored.
I’m talking about what weighs us down that God never asked us to pick up. Maybe it’s a lie we’ve believed, like that our worth is found only in our work. Maybe it’s a yes we said years ago out of guilt that we simply keep saying because we’re afraid to stop. Maybe it’s a dream that had its season and now it’s time to move on.
In my life, what I’m leaving behind is the determination to control everything. I’ve realized in the past year that control is an illusion, a house of mirrors at a carnival. The reality is we are more fragile than we know, life is more unpredictable than we realize, and none of us have our hands on the steering wheel of the universe.
Yes, that understanding has been a source of fear for me at times, but, to my great surprise, it has also brought relief. I’m embracing this truth instead: God is in control, and I am in charge. This means while I can’t rule the world, I can choose how I live each day. There’s comfort in trusting His care, in embracing my smallness.
If you had a cardboard box like my friend, what would you put in it? What’s one thing you’d like to bury and leave behind forever?
May we never face another time like the one we’ve just endured as humanity. But may we also not waste the unexpected opportunity it has given us — to reset our souls, rethink our lives, and perhaps travel a little lighter than we did before.
Pamela says
Graced words here, Holley. They feel gentle and just what I needed. Please let your friend know her choice to let go is beautiful and courageous.
God asked me to give Him, mine. I entrusted that too Him. Now, years later we are discussing it again. This other approach is intriguing.
Rachel Kang says
All of this. All of this hits home for my heart today.
Lauren Griesmeyer says
Holly, This came exactly when I needed to know what to do in my life about the morass I was swimming in…….I realized that I needed to forgive myself from failing or being too hard on myself! Thank you for this invitation to let some things go! Looking ahead and not looking behind as the scripture goes! Blessings! and thanks! And thanks be to God!
Becky Braden says
I really needed this. For nearly 2 years I’ve been carrying this heavy burden in my heart and life. It really sunk me to the lowest of the low. Affected my spiritual, emotional and physical life. Time for me to let it go and bury it forever at the feet of Jesus! Thank you for this devotional. So glad Jesus inspired Holley to write it.
Madeline says
When things began to open, unlike all the hype about getting back to normal, I thought there had to be better. Normal wasn’t so great in so many ways. So your words come as an affirmation for me. I am leaving things behind and I am embracing things I had put aside. I am committed to being more active in my new church, and taking the time to acknowledge others- friends or strangers. And I am trying to be more patient and accepting of my grown children’s choices. They are happy and kind and that’s what’s important.
Carol Leboeuf says
Perfect…nailed it! Just what the doctor ordered….thank u Jesus, the love of my life.
Connie Hornstra says
Excellent.
Kathy says
“God is in control. I am in charge.” Love this reminder so much ❤️
Cynthia McGarity says
Graced by this timely message today Holley. Thank you for the encouragement.
Janet Williams says
God is in control. There’s comfort in trusting His care, in embracing my smallness. YAY \0/
Nancy Ruegg says
“What feels heavy in my life that I might not have to carry anymore?” Now THERE’S an astute question to ask ourselves that will surely lead to the spacious, free life God wants us to live. That’s an aim worth striving for: less room for the clutter of busyness, more room for the abundance that Jesus wants to provide. Thank you, Holley!
Donna says
“God is in control. I am in charge.” Love this reminder so much! My one thing God is telling me to let go of is perfectionism and believing things have to be done my way to be done right.
Theresa Boedeker says
Some unhealthy messages from childhood. My sister and I were talking last night and decided we no longer want to carry them.
Lisa says
Holley, my heart and soul needed that message. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’m going to accept this challenge and leave a few things at Jesus feet, and vow to not pick them up again.
Sheila Y Smith says
All to Jesus I surrender.
Beth Williams says
Holley,
You’ve done it again. Such great wisdom. “God is in control & I am in charge” Oh yes. We need to let Him run our lives & not try to do it all ourselves. I want to leave behind the idea that I am not good enough & rushing from activity to activity. Wanting to be intentional about helping others. Assisting in food bank ministry, cooking for others, volunteering with Relay for Life (cancer). etc. My aim is to leave a legacy that shows people how to love & care for others. We could all use a little help now & then. Moving forward I will slow down & start enjoying life more. Take notice of God’s creation & simply savor Him, His music & words.
Blessings 🙂