Growth in Surrender

** As you read this blog post, and probably the next few to come, you may be asking yourself "What does this have to do with chiropractic?". Full disclosure, it has absolutely nothing to do with chiropractic, but it has everything to do with life and taking every opportunity we can to grow and make the most of this time we have on earth! My hope is that Renew & Restore Wellness will be seen as more than just a business. My hope is that I create a personal connection with each person who comes in contact with me and my company and that through these interactions people would experience hope and encouragement! I just got back from one of the greatest adventures of my life (to date) and wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences and reflections. **

7/25/2018

As I sit on a plane headed to Rome, reviewing basic Italian words (I speak absolutely no Italian), I start thinking about my 4-year-old self on the first day (or week) of Kindergarten. I was sobbing on my teacher's lap because I didn't want to be left by myself with an entire room of strangers. I think about my 12 year-old self panicking and on the verge of puking at the mere thought of staying overnight at a camp. Here I am, 20 years later headed to a foreign country for 3 days and 4 nights, completely by myself!! Am I nervous? Absolutely! But I'm not sobbing and I'm not nauseous... so I'll chalk that up to progress! 

A question I’ve asked myself a great deal recently is what was I so scared of in the past? Why was I so terrified to step into an unknown situation without the comfort of control and familiarity? As I sit looking out the window I make a decision, I could spend the entire plane ride (and trip for that matter) trying to figure out why this has been my past experience or I can choose grace.

These fears have controlled me for as long as I can remember. And as I reflect, I realize how absolutely exhausting it has been to live in fear and continual hunger for control over my situation. Author Erin Loechner, describes it as a lion within us, always hungry for its next meal. So with that, I choose grace. I am making the decision to show up and experience life for what it is and for who I am, right now! I’m done living a fear-based life. I choose to be present, I choose to trust, I choose to seek joy, I choose to surrender to the only one Who is truly in control. My God is a loving Father Who is the only constant source of comfort I will have in my life. I think if my younger self had understood that, my experiences with unfamiliar situations may have been different. 

Through God's grace I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to step out on this adventure with Him. God has a funny way of redeeming everything in life and I pray that I would walk into this trip with wide-eyes and a child-like faith to wander in wonder as He redeems those parts of my life where I let fear steal my experience and my joy. 

If you feel like you are making decisions out of fear or struggle with the need for control, know that you aren't alone! Keep pressing in and little by little you will find the strength to surrender just a bit more. I've by no means got it perfected, but I can tell you that the more I loosen my grip, the more I've been able to experience the amazing gifts that God has in store for me. 

 I would love to hear your experiences of growth through surrender!