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Don't Let Go of the Rope

My Mom told me that she heard someone say that parenting is a continual letting go of the rope and yet not letting go.

I use to long-line horses.  It was a method of training where they would go out to the end of a rope and wait for my command to walk or trot or run.  If the horses were not being nice or obeying when my boys would saddle or ride...we would put them on the long line and tell them to run.

I thought it was just a fun way to ground train. 

God designed it for me.

Once in a fit of pity and anger I learned this.

Like an exhausted two year old who is just having a meltdown and is unsure if they want picked up and held or put down and left alone.  Definitely do not want to do what they are supposed to be doing.

I looked like that.  It was as if at that time, God opened a curtain in my mind and let me see the picture of me long lining a horse.

   I was saying to the horse, "If you want to do your own thing then go...run it out.  When you are ready just come back to me.  No big deal.  I'll hold the rope and you just do your thing."

It was as if He was saying to me, "If you want to do it all on your own and in your own strength...then go.  I'm not letting go of the rope and will be right here waiting for you to turn in to me."

God never lets go.  He holds us loosely so we can learn and grow and return to Him over and over and over again.  

As Mother comforts her baby after falling until he/she is ready to go explore more.

If He doesn't let go then should we? 

Release our children INTO God's loving hands.  Release the outcome of their lives and their choices. 

Let Go of the Outcome. 

Don't Let Go of the Rope

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