As soon as we find out about a clothing drive, I see a glint in my husband’s eye. Brady is a sorter. But I’m sentimental. It’s not that I don’t want to give to someone in need. God’s love compels me to do that. But as I look through my closet, there’s a greater compulsion. I want to keep certain items because of what they mean and not because they are useful.

A cocktail dress, from two sizes and a decade ago, reminds me of a certain evening’s charm. Letting the dress go doesn’t mean the memory will leave. But it feels like it.

Through the years I’ve kept my emotions from coming within an inch of hoarder status. Hence, stacks of dusty magazines, outdated clothing, and undersized shoes are absent from our home. But the battle of letting things go continues in my mind.

Files of hurtful words, my regrets or images of someone’s harmful actions stack and state reasons why they should stay.

When I give in to their cause, they set up bunkers of bitterness or guilt. They shutdown reasons to forgive others and discourage my faith. I could use Brady’s penchant for sorting.

Files needing forgiveness and images needing proper perspective would sit in neat piles ready for “donation” to a greater cause – the grace of God in Christ. He has the power to take our fears and frailties and infuse them with His faithfulness and love. Mind renewal is His specialty.

So instead of having my husband sift through my scattered thoughts, God gave me a bible verse to anchor my mind. In Mark 10:17-22, Jesus instructs a rich man on what it means to follow Him. The man thought his accomplishments would impress Jesus– until Jesus impressed upon him what he needed to let go.

“The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.” (Mark 10:22 MSG)

“Not about to let go.” These words may resonate with anyone determined to hold onto a well-worn perspective. Yet, these words should apply to the way I feel about Christ.

I cling to Him for sure. The last thing I want to hear is that wrong ways of thinking, someone else’s offense or clothes someone else could use have a grip on me. Maybe you’re in the clutches of what you long to let go too.

I’ve learned the tension is there to teach me. A fear or grudge holding us back or a guilt hemming us in is no match for God’s grace. He provides all the strength we need to let go. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Through the years, He’s used my husband’s generosity and Mark 10:22’s reality to loosen my grip on “a lot of things.” With God’s wisdom and help, releasing a hurt, a fear, or a fancy dress becomes a redeeming moment.

Instead of a cloud going over my face, clarity comes.

Walking with a heavy heart is exchanged for walking in a truth that sets me free.

Then the grip of whatever is holding me back grows weak. I gain a new resolve. As I sort through the contents of my soul, I give my heart to God. What needs to stay with me is obvious. It’s the beauty of His will because His grace in Christ never lets us go.