It's been a week since my last post, but with good reason for the lapse: I got married last Sunday! Yes, you read that correctly - the love of my life made an "honest man" out of me. And, boy, does it feel good!
Our wedding was small and informal -- a few dozen close friends and family members. The ceremony and following reception were held at the converted house that serves as sanctuary for the small congregation of which we are a part. And, since I lead a Blues band, we did a Blues reception - pulled pork and beef, with all the trimmings, and home made cakes, neither of them tiered, neither of them white. (Chocolate and carrot, for those interested.)
As folks were "filling the corners" as the Hobbits say, I gave the one and only toast. After acknowledging the chef and his "staff" (my business partner, Bob Stevens and his wonderful wife Sheri), I acknowledged my blushing bride. During my toast, I said that I'd finally "let go and let God." There was far more to say than the brief time allowed, so today I'd like to expand on my short toast. In other words, here's a short story made long:
For years I looked down, not up. I looked at the path that I was determined to walk instead of the path prepared by Spirit. I wasn't listening to the messages and wasn't seeing the signs. On I trudged, slogging through a life of pain and strife. When things went wrong, I dug in my heels and determined to walk with greater commitment. When they still went wrong, I bent my back and put my head down, convinced I could make way against the strong head wind. When nothing changed, I finally became convinced that I was meant to be alone. I wasn't happy about it, but I did come to accept it.
And I was wrong.
Even though my understanding was flawed, I did the thing that was most important: I "let go and let God." I let go of my own preconceived notion of what my life is supposed to be. I let go of my attempt to force the universe into providing me with a mate - and with a specific mate. Yes, I was misdirected, but at least I wasn't attempting to direct things on my own. And I got out of God's way so the divine plan could unfold.
And, lo! There she was. Right where she'd been for months! My same age, with many of the same interests and a life philosophy that perfectly dovetails with my own. Warm, kind, giving in all things and at all times... just the kind of person I myself would like to be. And from the very beginning, she loved me deeply and truly, without judgment or criticism of my faults. How could I have missed seeing such a wonderful woman for so long, I wondered?
I missed her because I was doing my best to supersede the divine plan with my own. I was attempting to force the square peg of the universe into a round hole of my design. And, since the universe is bigger than me, it won.
Thing is, I've let go and let God in many ways. I do the work I am called to do. I follow the path that has called to me for decades, and I'm constantly listening to ensure I walk the path the best that I can. But when it came to my "personal" life, I took matters into my own hands. I forgot that, because our personal relationships are our most important spiritual learning-grounds, Spirit had a plan for me in that regard as well.
Even though I finally let go enough to allow Spirit to take control, I almost messed it up anyway. I allowed my fear to bubble up from down deep inside. I worried that I was making the wrong choice... that I would end up being hurt deeply again. And I almost walked away from the person with which I was meant to share the rest of my life. In other words, I almost grabbed 'hold and took the reins for myself yet again.
My friends stood by, hoping and praying that I'd make the right choice, yet knowing that if they attempted to convince me, I'd resist. Finally, one my closest friends, after hearing me talk about something my new "girlfriend" had done, asked me, "Lane, how many flares does this woman need to launch? What's it going to take to make you realize this is the one?"
In response, I mumbled something akin to "I don't know," and changed the subject. But his questions nagged at me, refusing to leave me alone until I worked through them. And I'm so glad I did finally work through them, because it finally dawned on me that Spirit had known for some time who my perfect mate was. Spirit had a plan all along, I just hadn't been paying attention. With that realization, I finally let go all the way, leaving my fate in the hands of Spirit. I let go completely of my own preconceptions and embraced the love Spirit had sent to me.
Once I fully let go, and put all my faith in Spirit, things began to go much more smoothly. things that had been out of sorts for so long straightened out. Things that I had expected to happen began to come into focus. And for the first time in many years, I found that I was truly happy. Not just surface happy... not just happy in the moment... but happy all the way through, and in every minute of every day.
Today is the second day of our lives together, and I am supremely happy. Many of my friends have asked me if it feels any different and I tell them, "yes, it does. It feels even better!" Even more striking is the fact that I know in my heart, we're just beginning. We have so much to look forward to, so much to do, so much to be. "Thank you" just doesn't seem to cover it, if you take my meaning.
So, if you ever feel as if you're fighting an uphill battle, perhaps it's because you're doing the same thing I was doing. Perhaps you are working at cross purposes with Spirit. Perhaps there's some sign you're missing, some message you aren't hearing. I have learned again that Spirit has a plan for me. I have learned that it's not just about what I'm supposed to be doing; it's also about my entire life! And Spirit has a plan for you, too.
When times are difficult, when things just won't go right no matter what you do, let go. Stop trying to force things. Let them happen instead. Let the good things flow into your life in their own way... in the way Spirit has planned for you. Let go of your own preconceptions. Let go of your determination to be the center of the universe.
Let go and let God. And remember, as I have been reminded, to trust absolutely in Spirit and its plan. Have faith that, no matter what's going on in your life, Spirit has something even better in mind if you'll only get out of the way. In other words, let go and let God.
Wrap yourself with trust in Spirit, and live the life of Spirit you so richly deserve!
In peace,
Lane
Our wedding was small and informal -- a few dozen close friends and family members. The ceremony and following reception were held at the converted house that serves as sanctuary for the small congregation of which we are a part. And, since I lead a Blues band, we did a Blues reception - pulled pork and beef, with all the trimmings, and home made cakes, neither of them tiered, neither of them white. (Chocolate and carrot, for those interested.)
As folks were "filling the corners" as the Hobbits say, I gave the one and only toast. After acknowledging the chef and his "staff" (my business partner, Bob Stevens and his wonderful wife Sheri), I acknowledged my blushing bride. During my toast, I said that I'd finally "let go and let God." There was far more to say than the brief time allowed, so today I'd like to expand on my short toast. In other words, here's a short story made long:
For years I looked down, not up. I looked at the path that I was determined to walk instead of the path prepared by Spirit. I wasn't listening to the messages and wasn't seeing the signs. On I trudged, slogging through a life of pain and strife. When things went wrong, I dug in my heels and determined to walk with greater commitment. When they still went wrong, I bent my back and put my head down, convinced I could make way against the strong head wind. When nothing changed, I finally became convinced that I was meant to be alone. I wasn't happy about it, but I did come to accept it.
And I was wrong.
Even though my understanding was flawed, I did the thing that was most important: I "let go and let God." I let go of my own preconceived notion of what my life is supposed to be. I let go of my attempt to force the universe into providing me with a mate - and with a specific mate. Yes, I was misdirected, but at least I wasn't attempting to direct things on my own. And I got out of God's way so the divine plan could unfold.
And, lo! There she was. Right where she'd been for months! My same age, with many of the same interests and a life philosophy that perfectly dovetails with my own. Warm, kind, giving in all things and at all times... just the kind of person I myself would like to be. And from the very beginning, she loved me deeply and truly, without judgment or criticism of my faults. How could I have missed seeing such a wonderful woman for so long, I wondered?
I missed her because I was doing my best to supersede the divine plan with my own. I was attempting to force the square peg of the universe into a round hole of my design. And, since the universe is bigger than me, it won.
Thing is, I've let go and let God in many ways. I do the work I am called to do. I follow the path that has called to me for decades, and I'm constantly listening to ensure I walk the path the best that I can. But when it came to my "personal" life, I took matters into my own hands. I forgot that, because our personal relationships are our most important spiritual learning-grounds, Spirit had a plan for me in that regard as well.
Even though I finally let go enough to allow Spirit to take control, I almost messed it up anyway. I allowed my fear to bubble up from down deep inside. I worried that I was making the wrong choice... that I would end up being hurt deeply again. And I almost walked away from the person with which I was meant to share the rest of my life. In other words, I almost grabbed 'hold and took the reins for myself yet again.
My friends stood by, hoping and praying that I'd make the right choice, yet knowing that if they attempted to convince me, I'd resist. Finally, one my closest friends, after hearing me talk about something my new "girlfriend" had done, asked me, "Lane, how many flares does this woman need to launch? What's it going to take to make you realize this is the one?"
In response, I mumbled something akin to "I don't know," and changed the subject. But his questions nagged at me, refusing to leave me alone until I worked through them. And I'm so glad I did finally work through them, because it finally dawned on me that Spirit had known for some time who my perfect mate was. Spirit had a plan all along, I just hadn't been paying attention. With that realization, I finally let go all the way, leaving my fate in the hands of Spirit. I let go completely of my own preconceptions and embraced the love Spirit had sent to me.
Once I fully let go, and put all my faith in Spirit, things began to go much more smoothly. things that had been out of sorts for so long straightened out. Things that I had expected to happen began to come into focus. And for the first time in many years, I found that I was truly happy. Not just surface happy... not just happy in the moment... but happy all the way through, and in every minute of every day.
Today is the second day of our lives together, and I am supremely happy. Many of my friends have asked me if it feels any different and I tell them, "yes, it does. It feels even better!" Even more striking is the fact that I know in my heart, we're just beginning. We have so much to look forward to, so much to do, so much to be. "Thank you" just doesn't seem to cover it, if you take my meaning.
So, if you ever feel as if you're fighting an uphill battle, perhaps it's because you're doing the same thing I was doing. Perhaps you are working at cross purposes with Spirit. Perhaps there's some sign you're missing, some message you aren't hearing. I have learned again that Spirit has a plan for me. I have learned that it's not just about what I'm supposed to be doing; it's also about my entire life! And Spirit has a plan for you, too.
When times are difficult, when things just won't go right no matter what you do, let go. Stop trying to force things. Let them happen instead. Let the good things flow into your life in their own way... in the way Spirit has planned for you. Let go of your own preconceptions. Let go of your determination to be the center of the universe.
Let go and let God. And remember, as I have been reminded, to trust absolutely in Spirit and its plan. Have faith that, no matter what's going on in your life, Spirit has something even better in mind if you'll only get out of the way. In other words, let go and let God.
Wrap yourself with trust in Spirit, and live the life of Spirit you so richly deserve!
In peace,
Lane
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment