Let Go

We have just spent the last 4 days at Wrightsville Beach.

 I so love the beach. There is something about time alone near the beach that always gives me some perspective. It was this same trip last year that I was first moved toward a "A Bed and Breakfast for Orphans". But somehow this year, it was clouds that got me thinking. Clouds and a girl named Sarah Bess that is wise beyond her years.


On Saturday afternoon, I was enjoying some quiet time reading on the porch during Gabre's nap. The book is one of those that at times it requires you to stop and absorb.  At some point I looked up at the sky and saw one small cloud moving quickly across the sky. There were lots of other clouds, and yet none of them moving. I briefly paused to ask, why is that one small cloud moving and the rest are stationary?

As I continued to read, I thought of the small cloud and wanted to check on its movement. I looked up again and now there were LOTS of clouds moving. Some were small but some were very big. And yet, others were still not moving at all. I felt as if noticing this was important, but why?

Luckily the spirit came to talk to me through my sweet daughter. As I was pondering the meaning of cloud movement, SB came outside to see what I was doing. I put my book down and invited her to rock with me. I told her I was thinking about why some of the clouds were moving, while others sat so still.

 Well, it's because some of the clouds are full of rain. The rain makes them too heavy and they can't move. Even when the wind is blowing and trying to move them. They still can't move because of all the rain. But other clouds, without the rain, they can move. Even with very little wind.

 Isn't that just like us? When we are so full of 'rain' we can't seem to move. We can't change. We can't see the world from the view of another cloud. And maybe most importantly, we can't follow. Follow the person that said to Love All. To Die to Self. That Love Always Wins.

So the question I have been asking myself is this, "What is the rain in my life that keeps me from moving? From following?" I think sometimes it is labels I place value on: Mom, Wife, Daughter, Speech-Pathologist, Friend, Boss,...  Other rain may be areas in my life where I am hurting. Where I am angry. Where I am proud. And perhaps my heaviest rain is fear. But that wise Sarah Bess didn't end there.

And the only way for the cloud to move, is to let go of the rain.

We just have to LET GO and feel the wind.