Leaving

One of the clearest of teachings all through the Bible is this leaving thing. Abram was told to leave time and again and when he did, stuff happened. When he stayed and waited, he stayed the same.

 

Jesus taught people to leave it all.

 

Paul harped on not looking back but forward.

 

So I used to tell kids who were getting married that their marriage and there ceremony should be about two things: leaving and promising. Leave your Mom and Dad. Leave your home of origin. Leave those ways. Leave , leave, leave.

 

I even encouraged them to have a spot in the ceremony , perhaps when they give the rose to the parents, when they actually say goodbye. Not many did. And to their detriment, not many actually left.

 

I didn’t and it was when we were married 13 years that I began to. We were at my parents old farm on their 50^th wedding celebration weekend (we had the same anniversary) when I just came to the leaving point. It was over. I suppose it was more a victory of attrition than of my willingness, but it was real. I made a huge step away from that past, their ways. expectations, attitudes. I gave never looked back.

 

Our relationship is so much better since then- I guess it was a turning point.

 

Since those days we and I have left at several important points. Leaving The Woods to focus and simplify. Leaving Grace Community. Leaving Pennsylvania. All good moves. Not easy but good.

 

I am convinced that had we not left we would be stuck in a number of situations.