Monday, January 27, 2025 Let Go of the Old
Monday, January 27, 2025
Read: Letting Go of the Old
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
Our then four-year-old granddaughter wore her favorite pair of “Frozen”-branded tennis shoes everywhere. Daisy stubbornly refused to wear any others, even though a growth spurt had her toes pushing through the end and wearing a hole in the shoe. Only with the promise of a new pair she could pick out herself did our Daisy reluctantly agree to let go of her beloved tennies.
Off to J.C. Penney’s we traipsed — her parents, sister, Poppy, and me. The perfect pair caught our granddaughter’s eye – Pepto-pink colored tennis shoes with sparkling butterflies emblazoned on the top. Then came the moment of truth.
Mom grabbed the new boxed shoes and guided our granddaughter toward the next stop before the check-out cashier. They walked to the end of the shoe aisle to a large white box with a yawning opening and marked Contribute Here.
Mom gently nudged Daisy forward saying, “Okay, before we can buy these new shoes, it’s time to leave your old ones here.” Daisy stared at the old shoes she clutched in her arms. Mom bent down to look her four-year-old in the eyes and reminded her, “You can’t have both. You have to give up the old ones to get the new ones.”
Fortunately, the shiny butterflies won out. As soon as the cashier rang up the new shoes, Daisy grabbed them, sat on the floor, and put them on. We all walked out of the store with smiles … and a lesson in the necessity of giving up the old in order to gain the new.
Reflect: What might the Lord be encouraging you to let go so that you can embrace a new thought, habit, or opportunity through which He wants to work to further transform you into the image of Christ?
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gentle guidance inviting me to release what is old and worn in my life. Help me to surrender the habits, thoughts, or attachments that no longer serve Your purpose in me. Grant me the courage and trust to open my hands and my heart, knowing that what You offer is far greater. May I always be willing to let go of the past so that You can continue Your transforming work in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader