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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

On Stepping Back & Letting Go

August 7, 2016 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

Sometime soon– you will find that you have to let go again.

You will pour cereal and smile at sleepy faces. You will pack lunches and breathe a prayer. You will grab keys and kiss foreheads and tousle hair.

You will help them take this step. And even though you will want to turn the car around, and around and around until you find yourself in their old nursery with the crib and the blanket and lamp and all these days still ahead — be brave.

You get to show them what brave looks like. You move forward with hope. You’re living the example that growing up is good and more time given is a privilege. That we were not placed on this earth to stand still or to go back– but to move forward in faith and courage. To be lights.

No matter how the shadows of this world lengthen, our role does not change. We are the lights. We may often lay down heavy hearted at the state of the planet we will awaken to, but this is the purpose of lights. It’s what they do. They shine in dark places.  And the light that shares your last name? You’ve been preparing them to shine since they padded around in footie pajamas.

They are ready. And so are you. And the moment we remember that they were made for this– to go out and shine– is the moment our grip loosens with a little less fear and a little more peace. Our hands relax to open and offer back what was given us for a season.

If they forget to stop and turn and wave, it is only because you gave them courage and confidence.  They haven’t forgotten.

If it feels like they need you less all of a sudden, it is because you were there, all those days when they needed you more than anything.

Whether they stare in the face of preschool or fifth grade or freshman year– your job is the same as you take a breath and take a step back.

Step back knowing that God never does. Not for one second that they are out of your sight, will they ever leave His. When your arms aren’t long enough to pull them back, He is firmly holding them right where they should be.

And the soul ache- heart ache- head ache of watching them walk away? It’s the seared mark of a deep abiding love. We are rarely ready to let go of what we love the most. But letting go is holy when it makes room for God’s glory. So, yes. Take the tiny step back that feels horrendously risky. And know that there is no risk too great when true obedience is present.

Tomorrow in houses strangely lacking the din of summer togetherness, let us remember to pray not only for God’s protection over our children– but for His glory to be seen through them.

Let their kindness be clear, their hope be sure, and their belonging to Him be deep in their bones.
Let them come to us when they feel too much or not quite enough.
May they know who they are because we have written it upon their hearts with a thousand conversations.
May God fill in all the spaces where we fail them.
May He be the One they know as the standard for love and acceptance.
May they make their schools better by their presence– lighting up corners and sparking from cracks.
May they be known as true friends who speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.
May they shine, diamonds on a backdrop of midnight– reflecting the Light of Christ.

Also, it’s completely acceptable to sit in the parking lot, cry, & flip through all those mental snapshots of their baby days. Wear the dark sunglasses and know you are not alone.
And neither are they.

Welcome Wounds & True Friendship
What I Learned & Loved this Summer

Comments

  1. 1

    Erin says

    August 12, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    What a beautiful post! I needed to be reminded of this perspective. Thank you.

    Reply
    • 2

      HappyGoStuckey says

      August 12, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Erin! Thank you for stopping by. And so do I. 🙂

      Reply
  2. 3

    Stephanie says

    August 12, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    I am right here with you. I am anticipating the letting go in just a few days and it is so bitter sweet. Thank you for these wise words and prayers. Yes, I trust that God is watching them even when I cannot.

    Reply

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  1. laurenwasher.com - For Your Weekend says:
    September 15, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    […] the ones who have sent (or are sending) children back to school, this post on stepping back and letting go, by Cynthia […]

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Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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happygostuckey

Instagram post 2191701631330368631_396980240 This year, the 🍋lemon tree🌿 gave fewer lemons than normal. I asked my Dad and he confirmed, just a slow year.

So we picked (still armfuls,) and I’ll love every one.
If you read #feastingandforaging (have I mentioned I wrote a book? Gosh, that is never not awkward.😅) If you read it, then you know how special this tree is to me.

Again this year, I’m reminded all over again that our sweetest gifts are sometimes cloaked in harder things. Often our ‘unexpected ugh’ makes way for what we truly need.

And I just want you to know that if this December is already more than you wanted or less than you hoped, if you’re sitting at the end of a very long year— take courage.
Take peace.
Take hope and as you pass around the gift of the Advent to those beside you, don’t forget to also take some for yourself.

Don’t forget to remember that the Hope of this season (and every other,) cannot be squelched by sickness, pain, or the general ugh of life in a broken world.

We have this Hope and it is one that won’t be diminished by anything that could land in our laps today.
#prepareHimroom
Instagram post 2191016735687527448_396980240 Sometimes I think I could live in New York but I’m low-key afraid I might eat bagels every day. 🥯🍎☕️ (TB to October when @friar_stuck and I took our Pio Bagels to @devocionusa and pretended we were regulars.) ✨What city would you love to live in if it didn’t mean leaving where you are?✨
Instagram post 2189510127085979732_396980240 Home sweet merry little home.🎄This December will be busier than most for our family, so I’m treasuring every single slow moment we are gifted. Starting today with homemade lattes and little white lights.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
Instagram post 2187513959237917323_396980240 We can all agree the point of the charcuterie platter is to get as many family members into one room at once, right? The cheese is just a bonus. {yes, second charcuterie pic this week. Because holidays. And family. And the sweet full feeling that comes not from eating too much pie, but seeing almost all of your entire family in one day.} ❤️🦃 Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. 
#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #f52byyou #allthecheese #gratefulforhome #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #merrymerrystuckeys #almondavenuecrew
Instagram post 2185903851697559572_396980240 🍁Maybe she’s born with it.
Maybe it’s Maple Leaves.🍁 I know that when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, everyone switches to Christmas— but I’m probably going to be here with leaf spam for just a bit longer... 😏
Instagram post 2183058239117455684_396980240 ✨In a world where you can be anything, be the one who volunteers to bring charcuterie. ✨
🧀🥖🍇🌿
Bonus points if your flannel shirt- wearing husband can hold said charcuterie while you take a million photos of cheese in the golden hour.

#feastingandforaging #charcuterieboard #thanksgivingdinner #onthetable #f52byyou #foodie #savourtheseasonalshift #simplethingsmadebeautiful #chasethelight #bluehousekitchen #merrymerrystuckeys #gratefuldays #cheeseboard #gratefulforhome #iwentlookingforbeauty #ofsimplethings
Instagram post 2181659993774021605_396980240 You’re Kale-ing me, smalls.

Listen. Kale is that self-righteous leafy green that everyone feels like they should eat, meanwhile many of us are secretly not enjoying it and I just need to say— yes, but... have you massaged your kale?

No, don’t go. I promise this is not a joke. Kale is packed with vitamins, but it’s kind of bitter and grass-clipping-like. However. 3-5 minutes of prep work and it’s downright tasty. Here’s my three step process—

Remove the stems and rip your kale in large bite sized pieces.
Add it to a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. 
Massage it. Really. With your hands. For 3-4 minutes. The kale will darken in color and will release that bitter smell.

And... you’re done. Now build your kale salad with the total certainty that you won’t get tired of chewing before the end of your meal. 
Pictured: Kale Caesar Salad with Ten Minute Croutons from #feastingandforaging 🥖🌿
Instagram post 2179451951070532163_396980240 Another fall.
Here in this city we love.
Here in this BlueHouse where we’ve learned to mark our days in falling leaves & saturday morning pancakes.

I’m not sure where you are and how you feel about tomorrow, or next month even. But before the weekend wears the clothes of Monday preparation, here is your friendly reminder—

Even if the future is obscured by foggy uncertainty, the present can still be shimmering with lovely. 
#feastingandforaging #hopewriters #hopelenses #simplethingsmadebeautiful #savourtheseasonalshift #daysofsmallthings #ofsimplethings #beallthere #weareplacemakers 
#nothingisordinary #lifegivinghome #learntolovewhatmustbedone #chasinglight #everydayfaithfulness #gratefulforhome
Instagram post 2175841201919747949_396980240 There is nothing like a blustery, drizzly day to remind you of all the reasons why November is lovely in all its getting-dark-early glory. ✨
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