M.A.S.H.

My sisters and I played M.A.S.H as doe eyed dreaming little girls.

Here's a blast from the past for you
lodging {Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House}
boys {Andrew, Jeremy, Christopher, and Garret}
cars {Ferrari, Mustang, Hatchback, Wheel Barrow}
number of kids {2, 4, 17, 23}

Two of each category we swooned over. One was iffy. And the last: gag me with a spoon!

Round and round and round we'd go as we counted and crossed out the boy, car, kids, or lodging we landed on. A perfect M.A.S.H. game landed Mr. Stud Muffin swinging out of our mansion's driveway with me and our four kids for a drive in the country. Most times though, Mr. Cootie Pants toted our 23 young'ns, jalopy style, as we puttered around our shack.

The distinct sting of letting go of what I {thought} I wanted pricked my elementary heart.

If I'm honest, I have a grown-up M.A.S.H. list too. I go round and round, trying to make the options I {think} I want work. Even when the Lord is saying, "Mmm... please let go of that option, that option and that one too. I have good plans for you and got this in control."

And my grown up heart feels the distinct sting of letting go.

The hurt is real when we let go. What's more real is a God who redeems the hurt.

And that is the train of thought I remind myself to jump aboard when the hurt throws confusion and doubt my way.

Abraham was a man familiar with letting go without holding on to the negative train {of thought}. One particular instance of his humble obedience moves me. Not once, but twice, he was asked to let go of his first born, Ishmael. Abraham did so, trusting {past experience probably helped here} in God's redemptive plan.

"The matter gave great pain to Abraham—after all, Ishmael was his son. But God spoke to Abraham, 'Don't feel badly about the boy and your maid... be assured that I'll also develop a great nation from him—he's your son, too.'" {Genesis 21}

Don't you love God's immediate redemption?

I particularly appreciate how Matthew Henry characterizes Abraham's response:

"Abraham’s obedience to the divine command in this matter was submissive; it was contrary to his judgment, at least to his own inclination, to do it; yet as soon as he perceives that it is the mind of God he makes no objections, but silently does as he is bidden, as one trained up to an implicit obedience."

Sometimes when the Lord asks us to let go of what our heart desires, it won't make sense. What does make sense is remembering and thinking of the promises of the Lord and His grand redemption. Letting go is a hefty, weighty thing. Let's spend a few days on it. Today, let's sit with the Lord, asking Him to show us what, if anything, He's asking us to take off our M.A.S.H. list and let go off. And follow that up by asking for His hope and promise of redemption.

I'm praying for y'all!!