Letting Go At The End Of The Rope

And put your trust in the Lord. Psalm 4:5

One of my favorite memories when I was a child was spending summer days on our rope swing. Jumping on the swing and diving head first into the soothing water was a cheap thrill to a wild child. It was clean simple fun that we spent the whole day pursuing. The trick was letting go at the very height of the trip so you could jump the farthest and shout the loudest. There was such a thrill in letting go of the rope.

Yet, it was in the letting go, that we could capture the real joy of the trip. Not until we trusted in the fact that we would not be injured could we taste the exhilarating touch of the water waiting below us.

These days it seems that the innocence of life has been stolen from our kids. They look for cheap thrills in booze, sex and drugs. Decisions that I made at 16 are now being decided at 10 or 12 years old.

It doesn't seem fair, yet God is there. As He patiently waits for the younger generation to thrill seek their way into submission I am waiting. As a parent I have to trust my Heavenly Father that He is in control. Just as He held my heart before I even knew His name He has my son's hearts. I have to let go of the rope and Trust His ways.

In a perfect moment He will reveal Himself to them and they too will have a relationship like no other. I can't rush it. I can't take their pain. I can't make the decision to follow Christ for them. Beyond our empty conversations and broken dreams is Christ.

So in trusting the Father for their eternity all I can do is bow behind close doors and pray. Pray that some day they will let go of the rope and trust in our all knowing, all sufficient, patient,loving Father.

Father,
I will trust in You
that my children will understand
that they must let go of the rope
and simply take Your hand.

You will lead them to a place
they have never been before
as You wait with open arms
for them to walk through the door.

Brad McGill
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