The Familiar Tree (Letting Go of the Past)

 


My daughter was out of town for a day, so I stepped in to help care for her fur baby. Her dog is a little Australian Shepherd, who shows strong indicators of ADHD. He is a handful to walk in good conditions. It's not so much walking him, as it is being dragged after him. In snow, it's treacherous. As I stepped on my icy steps, I pictured him taking off full speed and me skiing down the slick snow while screaming behind him. After sliding around a bit, he pulled me to "the tree." It is his favorite tree where he prefers to do his business. You step with care as you enter a three foot radius of the tree. What's crazy is that he will lead you around all the yard, but always returns to the tree. It's familiar, so it's where he alwsys returns. Isn't that like us? God has a plan for our lives. So many times, it's much greater than anything we've imagined. However, letting go of control and letting God guide us is hard. The unknown holds us back from stepping out in obedience to God. When the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, they literally saw the power of God. He parted the Red Sea, destroyed their enemies, led them by a pillar of fire by night, and provided food for them when food didn't exist. It's hard to doubt God when miracle after miracle is displayed. However, adversity has a way of making us cleave to the familiar. When the desert became hard and trying, the Israelies began to complain and desire the familiarity of Egypt again. They forgot the slavery, the beatings, and the struggle. Egypt's familiarity became a more powerful draw than God's promise. How many times when we face hardship do we remember a time that seemed  easier and want to go back? Maybe it was a place? We may forget the hard times and only remember the pull of the familiar.  If we're not careful, we may trade what God wants to do with what we're comfortable with. God has done too much to turn back now. Don't trade God's future for the past. Let go of control, and let God work His miracles in your life. 

Have a great week high-heeled warriors!

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