“Let It Go!”
“Let it go, Chad. Just ignore them.” This was the advice that Kat and Rick gave their son-in-law, Chad. He had called to say that he would not stop by in the morning as was his habit because he didn’t want to lose his cool and make more trouble.
A couple of nights previously, the next-door neighbors had slipped a letter of complaint through the mail slot in the front door. It alleged that Chad had parked his SUV on the “pavement,” the sidewalk, so irresponsibly that there was little space for the safe passage of pedestrians, scooters and prams.
(A cultural note: The streets in England are so narrow that it is legally acceptable to park a vehicle half on the sidewalk and half on the street.)
The neighbors’ letter was filled with related allegations, and it upset the whole Dodge family for days to come.
Kat checked with other neighbors, named in the allegations, to see if they were true or false. They were false. Rick crafted a response letter to the neighbors and submitted both it and the complaint letter to the local police. Chad no longer stopped in the mornings for a visit and a cup of coffee.
And I had the title lyrics from a Disney film, Frozen, running through my head:
“Let it go! Let it go! Can’t hold it back anymore. Turn away and slam the door. Let it Go! Let it go!“
Not only the lyrics but questions beginning with “why?” occupied my thoughts. Why would the neighbors send a threatening letter that seemed to be filled with lies? What in Chad’s experience caused him to fear his own temper and the loss of it? Why was Rick so driven to write letters and contact authorities?
I have no answers yet, but I do know that allegations and retaliation result from the sins of abuse, neglect and revenge.
I have suffered betrayal and loss of position from four Christian organizations. I have shared in the suffering of my husband as his physical health declined because of several diseases. I have experienced the deaths of family and friends. All this boils down to the frustration brought by the change of routines and plans. Oh! How unnerving that can be!
Letting go of all this is good advice—to a point. But there needs to be something substantial rooting it, going beyond it. I find such substance in John’s gospel, the 14th through 17th chapters. This is a record of Jesus’ final teachings, and He speaks of a heavenly home, of abiding in Him like a branch to its vine, of loving one another.
Asking the Holy Spirit to administer the wisdom of these verses has enabled me to “Let it go.” Are you able to let go of life’s many irritations and redirections?
Thanks for the picture of your dwelling. It looks very comfortable. It is not what I envisioned. Is it 2 storied?
Yes, it does have two floors but only one bathroom on the ground level. Just by looking out the window as we drive about Yorkshire, I would say that at least two-thirds of the house here are semi-detached and two stories. In the phots that can be more clearly seen in the houses at the end of the street. Did you feel familiar looking at the gray skies?
What did you envision?
Does the town have people who like to wear red hats on occasion & listen to people who write stories if their lives?
Thank you for the connection with the process of letting go and the Gospel. It’s always been an issue for me to let go of things, whether it’s items throughout my life or people altogether. I always look to the words of Jesus’ preachings to go about the best way to forgive. Recently I have been focusing on my forgiveness towards others, focusing on the human condition and the personal lives of others through the process. Your writings make me think about my own life and my connection with the Bible. Thank you for putting your thoughts into words so people like me can see better into the beautiful minds of those around us. God Bless!
I have just learned from Mimi that you are her friend. Truly your comments have pleased me greatly as a writer. You are exactly the audience for whom I write, and I am glad to know that you are out there, reading. Do you consider yourself a writer? I especially liked the following ideas from you: Almost like how kids hope to go to sleep and wake up on Christmas morning in the blink of an eye, or how anesthesia knocks you out and you wake up in what feels like moments later. Also, it’s always comforting to find a younger person who be frustrated with “modern” technology.
Even though you sent both comments at the same time (more or less), this second comment feels like you wrote it after you saw my response to your first comment.
Indeed, worldly wisdom (like lyrics) only goes so far in its depth of true wisdom. A few decades ago (or maybe centuries) someone said that all wisdom is God’s wisdom. So it is possible to see a connection between a lesser wisdom and the most profound wisdom. Having you tell me the value of my writing to you is such a blessing! THANK YOU!
I appreciate your capitalization of “Gospel” and “Bible.” This is a practice no longer observed by most writers, teachers, and publishing houses. I think that it is one more way of demeaning the respect and honor due an almighty Creator God. Keep reading and commenting! Smiles!
This was a lovely read, and I enjoy hearing your stories in England.
just now finished watching a Britbox series called Vera. the writing is superb. we see in these police depictions the results of not letting go, not trusting God to be the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the giver of life, and the One to whom we may go in times of anguish. so many families destroyed by hate and jealousy. So thankful to be saved by Grace,yet watchful of the roaring lion.
Wow, Bobi! Superb ideas well said. You should send posts from your own blog!