The shoe space in my closet it crowded, due in part to the generosity of Randy Reeves, my executive pastor, who gave me some awesome shoes. So yesterday, when my friend Randy Watts was visiting, I asked if he knew someone who could use some ropers and another pair of shoes that I didn’t need. He did, so I waved goodbye to them as he pulled away in his white pickup.

The boots served me well for many years and I was attached to them. But my feet had outgrown them, and I needed to let go.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation that reminded me that I still harbor some ill feelings from a few years back. God convicted me, and affirmed it through Randy, that I must be honest and share my hurt and frustration and let go, regardless of the response.

Like a closet, our hearts have only so much space. To live freely and love fully, we need room to grow. Holding on to things limits us, and what we have in hand may keep us from grabbing onto fresh possibilities in each day.

Whether a good thing, like a pair of shoes I no longer wear, or something bad, like resentment, we must cast it off to move on with Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.     Hebrews 1:1-3

Enjoy this Michael Card song about the freedom of letting go.