Letting Go

Letting go. So often that means a heart attitude, a willingness to release something that I have been holding on to such as unforgiveness, anger or bitterness. Sometimes I hang on with clenched fists, fingers coiled tightly around some object or idea like a little one holding on to the string of a kite on a windy day.

Our family received news through a Christmas letter that friends of ours, Stacey and Erich Pratt lost their precious two year old boy Luke to a drowning accident this past summer. The letter alerted you immediately to the tragedy by a picture of Luke with 2004-2006 written under his name-Luke Alyn Pratt. My first thought was that maybe there was some other explanation, some other reason for those dates, but upon reading the letter, there was no mistake. Erich kindly informed all of us on their Christmas list what had happened. How their little one was last seen throwing a baseball- wearing the baseball glove on the wrong hand- and giggling. Erich went on to say that God has used Luke's short life in countless ways. Teens in the church youth group were reminded of their mortality and many have given their lives to Jesus as a result. A couple whose marriage was in trouble started going to church together and the list goes on. In this age of financial concerns- the cost of college, etc.- the Pratts are unusual. They have dared to have as many children as God would give (and Stacey's petite body can handle). Luke was eight of nine beautiful children. Andrew, the baby was two months old when his big brother went to be with the Lord. They are determined to let God use this loss in whatever manner He chooses- without anger, without bitterness. They are looking ahead. Love has risk. Sometimes we have to let go and trust God. Sometimes that's all we can do.