Letting Go

LETTING GO

What do sending a child to school on the first day and releasing a book to readers have in common?

It’s the beginning of a new school year, and I’ve recently seen many Facebook posts by parents whose children are leaving the nest. There’s a great deal of pride in our children’s accomplishments, wonder how the years have passed so quickly, and parental pain because of separation. Or maybe it’s because we’ll have less control over what happens to them, and we’ll not be able to protect them from being hurt.

Whether the first day of kindergarten, or the first day of a new grade; whether entering high school or beginning the senior year; whether sending them off to college or witnessing them getting married or starting a new career – it’s an anxiety-producing experience for parents who have invested many hours effort and care to prepare the child to take the next step. Are they ready? Will they fail? Did I do enough to prepare them for the ups and downs of life in their new situation?

I know how it is. I’ve been there.

We know the world can be unkind, and our children, like all humans, make mistakes. We prepare them to the best of our ability and let them go, trusting them to God’s care.

Most authors will tell you that releasing a new book into the public square is an anxiety-producing experience. After spending hours, days, and even years writing our hearts out, finding the right subjects, the right words, and the best way to express what we want to share with our readers, we wonder: Is it ready? Have we done enough? Will it be bought and read? Will readers’ hearts be changed or their needs be fulfilled?

Like child-rearing, authoring a book is hard work, although in a different way. We have a reason we call our books our babies and find it hard to let them go. But we must release them to fulfill their purpose and achieve success. Letting go of what’s important to us is difficult.

Two Scripture verses become important to the main characters, Alana Somers and Mark Chambers, in Melody of Life, Book 2 in the Love’s Refrain Series. One is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NKJV) Often, we question why we face trouble, pain, and loss. In faith, we learn to accept that God knows what He is doing and has our best in mind, even though it’s hard. The other Scripture is Proverbs 3: 5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

As parents, we pray for our children to be safe and succeed. As authors, we pray that our books will achieve their purpose. As Christians, we release both into God’s hands and we trust God to do His work.

Beth E Westcott