Message from Mary

     This is a poem that speaks to my heart.  I discovered it in the summer  of 2006, when I was asked to do a retreat for           the presidents and vice-presidents of the Women of the ELCA in Region 4.  During the retreat we spent some time
     looking at the history of labyrinths and how they connect with prayer.  I rediscovered it while working on this month's
     women’s retreat on prayer.

These are instructions on how to LET GO.  Perhaps it is letting go of a rebellious child, or a burden or sorrow, losing a loved one, or learning to live with a heartache which we just cannot let go of.   For me sometimes I simply read it over and over.  Sometimes I study it and other times I let it serve as my prayer.  You will find that letting go of your burden will release a peace from within which will allow your spirit to soar…to be free…to completely give it to God…and  God will work within you to calm your heart and soul.  

LETTING GO
 

To let go does not mean to stop caring,

It means I can’t do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off,

It is the realization that I can’t control another.

To let go is not to enable,

But to allow learning through natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness,

Which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another,

I can only change myself.

To let go is not to care for,

But to care about.

To let go is not to fix,

But to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge,

But to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes.

But to allow others to effect their own outcomes.

To let go is not to be protective,

It is to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to deny,

But to accept.

To let go is not to nag, scold, argue,

But to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,

But to take every day as it comes and to cherish each moment.

To let go is not to criticize or regulate anyone,

But to try to become what I dream I can be.

To let go is not to regret the past.

But to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more.

  My prayer for you is that these words will bring God’s peace to your heart! 

ME