holding loosely

"When you think you've found something, give it to God. If it was meant to be yours, He'll give it back to you at the right time."

I heard this quote over a year ago. It can apply to so many things in life. Hopes, dreams, relationships, friendships.

We got news today that was very hard and disappointing. It was something I'd talked of, written about, hoped for, and dreamed of that now won't be able to happen. Disappointment really isn't a strong enough word. There's an ache. And while I still know the truth that God has a great and loving plan, it still hurts. And I'm reminded to hold loosely to everything, letting God move me.

There are so many things in life we hold on to. Maybe they're things like possessions, money, a house. Maybe it's our friends. Or family. Maybe it's simply a future hope, a dream. But no matter what it is, it is never the right thing to hold. Possessions will fall away. Money will be gone in a blink. Even our friends and family will never be able to support us every single time. God wants us to hold loosely to everything and everyone so that we can instead hold tightly to Him. While it may seem hard to lose our control over these things or loved ones, we have to remember that God's hands are so much greater and wiser than ours. When He takes something from us, it's because He wants us to hold Him, not something that will fade with time. When He takes something away, it is a blessing.

An incredible song called "Blessings" by Laura Story speaks to this.

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life,
Are Your mercies in disguise?
...
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
...
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

Hold loosely to the things of this earth. Hold tightly to God who loves you so much more than we can even comprehend, more than human minds can imagine. He blesses us by keeping us from relying on things that won't support us. He shows His mercy by taking away those things that cannot be a strong foundation. It may be hard, really hard. We may truly love this person or these people, and God knows that. He loves them even more than we do. But He knows what true love is. We can trust Him.

His love is way too much to give us lesser things.