loosening our grip

I heard myself tell Spencer that we ought not hold too tightly to things.  As the words hit the sound waves, they seemed to have life that was beyond just something I say to divert whatever the situation was that was creating disappointment over some real or perceived loss that my 10 year old was experiencing. This moment brought with it a sense of confidence and a surreal sort of "uh-oh" with it. 

Holding loosely...to the things we just take for granted, to whatever the particular life circumstances that we currently enjoy. These things change in a moment and sometimes there is nothing we can do about it. It is in these moments that we find out what it is we value, who we are.

"A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us." — Henri J.M. Nouwen

"When suddenly you seem to lose all you thought you had gained, do not despair. You must expect setbacks and regressions. Don't say to yourself "All is lost. I have to start all over again." This is not true. What you have gained you have gained....When you return to the the road, you return to the place where you left it, not to where you started." — Henri J.M. Nouwen (The Inner Voice of Love)

"Dear God, 

I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!  

Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? 

Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? 

Please help me to gradually open my hands 

and to discover that I am not what I own, 

but what you want to give me. 

And what you want to give me is love, 

unconditional, everlasting love. 

Amen." 

— Henri J.M. Nouwen (The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life)