Release the Cuffs

So I am still chugging through the book Colliding with Destiny by Sarah Jakes. Last night as I read, she said "don't handcuff someone to your dream." Have you ever had a dream/vision for yourself and your life that included all your family and friends? You know the one where everyone lives close, hangs out regularly, and gets along. I sure have. The problem is though, what if the people/person doesn't want to come along? You may love your fabulous life and can't imagine why someone wouldn't want to be in it but the reality is, we can't take everyone with us.

Nope.

Not at all.

Even if what we have seems "better off" and we want to help. We can invite them, pay for what they need, and they still may not ever see our vision or live up to our expectations. Sure they will be pawns for a minute. Even pawns in chess can be promoted. But God only gives us our vision for ourselves and our lives. We can't expect others to get it nor can we force them to be in it even if we mean well. I have tried again and again to repair and rejuvenate relationships that I've simply outgrown or that need to exist in their own space and not be tied to me and my dreams.

 

Now that I have a son, I am even more mindful of my vision and how I navigate my relationships because I know that it will set the stage for him. Letting go and not stepping in when we feel we can help is hard but we have to let God, the ultimate potter, work his magic on other people's clay.

I pray for strength to release others from my dreams when they don't fit.

Nothing that is suppose to be in place has to be forced.

"There comes a time in life when we are ready to go to the next level. We must embrace the reality that everyone cannot go with us." -Sarah Jakes