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Listen while you read: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"1 (Lyrics) |
In late February or early March of the year when I was about ten, my dad took me fishing with him. It was cold, rainy, and miserable, which, to my dad, was perfect timing. After we started catching catfish, which my dad described as pan-sized, we soon forgot the uncomfortable conditions. My dad's bobber was the first to go down, and up came the first catch of the day, a beautiful fish with a golden belly and horns that I was told not to touch. Feeling a little envious of his catch, I watched my bobber even more closely. We didn't sit there too long until my dad and I both got a bite, and I yanked for all I was worth. As my cane pole bent under the pulling of the whale on my hook, I told my dad, who was busy with his own fish, "I think it's a big one." I pulled and pulled until my dad said something that astonished me: "Let go!" What was this? I finally get a bite, and he says, "Let go!" Evidently, he didn't know what I knew about the big fish pulling on my line. With that, I planted my little feet firmly and pulled all the harder! After much prompting, he finally was laughing so hard that he could hardly get the words out, "Let go. You are pulling against me." We had both hooked the same fish!
Many times, I hang onto things and situations, while all the time, my heavenly Father is saying, "Let go and let Me take over." Just as many times, I dig my feet in and say, "No way. This is all mine. I know best." When I have a problem, I pull for all I am worth. God says, "Give it to Me. I'll take your burden." But I give it another yank until I am worn out from the struggle. "I've got this one, God," I say with my actions. "Thanks anyway!" Somehow, I think that if I worry, fret, and use my own strength, I can pull it off. Finally, I have to say, "Okay, God, I give it to You. I am not accomplishing a thing with my worry, nor are my puny efforts getting me anywhere. I will let go so that You can accomplish what I cannot. Take over, Lord!"
Psalm 68:19 – May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation. (HCSB)
Do you have a burden so big that you are bent from the weight of it? Are you reluctant to let go for fear that God can't really see how important it is or maybe won't handle it in the way that you had planned? God still tells us, "Let go! Let Me take over. It may not turn out like you want, but it will turn out better, My child!"
Prayer: Father God, give us the courage to let go and trust You. You give us abundantly more than we think or imagine. We praise You! Amen.
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Amen Jeanie!
Yes, thank you for the timely reminder!
Thank you for the inspirational message.
Thanks, Jeanie, for the inspirational words.
Thanks Jeanie, for this cheery devotional to start the morning with. Blessings.
Amen and amen! May we let go and let God so the Lord can show us what God can do! Blessings.
We work together with God to resolve problems and give direction to our lives – We are not alone.
Dear Jeanie,
Thanks for a good message for the day.
It’s a good reminder.
(Ontario, Canada)
Jeanie, I loved your fish story as it took me back to my childhood days of fishing with my dad as well. Such fond memories. You wove that story so beautifully into real life learning of letting go and letting God! Thanks for sharing this devotional with us!
Many thanks for your ‘let go’ message. For many years, the saying ‘Let go and Let God’ has been my mantra and it’s never failed me! As we embark on an essential move to an apartment after many years enjoying our home and garden, your message is a very timely reminder… a ‘God moment’ in fact!
Many thanks Jeanie for this beautiful and very mindful devotional today. What a special memory you have of that fishing expedition with your Dad and a great job you have done in co-ordinating it with a way in which we should realize the time comes when we must “let go” and let our loving Lord take over, knowing His results will always be what is best for us. Blessings for this special writing and for your continued writings into the future.
Hi Jeanie,
Great message to Let Go and Let God. We all have this problem and reminders are so helpful.
I loved your story about fishing with your dad. If you dad had explained when he told you to let go, you would have understood much faster. We don’t always communicate in the best way.
Thanks for sharing and reminding us that we don’t have to do it all. Blessings.
Happy Saturday, Jeanie!
My Saturday started with a chuckle as I envisioned your fishing experience with your father. I thought your hook had captured a submersed log, but to read that you had ‘hooked’ your dad was priceless.
Then, as I read on, I found my head nodding in agreement as I thought of the number of times (just in the past week) that I had attempted to take on projects that became heavy to carry. Yes! I needed to “Let Go and Let God”! Now, instead of picturing Elsa in the movie “Frozen” singing “Let it go”, I shall be picturing you and your father sitting by the pond, fishing poles in hand.
Thank you and keep writing!
(ON)
Thank you, Jeanie,
It’s amazing how devotionals arrive to us with a message. Not too long ago I was speaking to my friend about something I was struggling with, she recommended I pray and let it go to God. Thank you for the reminder again… to let go and Trust.
Have a blessed day.
Thank you, Jeanie. We were talking about this very thing in Ladies Bible study this morning.
Thank you for your timely Devotion. Truly means a great deal to me to see this special Devotion
(Texas)