The Bed
I grew up in a modest home in central Minnesota. My parents had a small bedroom with a simple bedroom set. It was a place I considered special since we kids didn’t go into that room regularly. There was an unspoken rule – this is Mom and Dad’s room and only for them.
The bed had a simple frame. It was a full-size bed, which is considered small by today’s standards. Still, it worked for them my entire growing-up years. Eventually, after both my parents passed the house was cleaned out.
During this time, I had separated from my husband and moved into a townhouse. Not having a bed or much funding, I chose to purchase a full-size double air mattress. It was more comfortable than I ever imagined it would be and I was happy to have it. It worked for many months.
When my parents’ bed frame became available, I was the first of my siblings to raise my hand and offer to take it. We loaded it into a rented trailer and moved it from the middle of Minnesota to a suburb of the Twin Cities. I purchased a new mattress set and was thrilled to have a real bed to sleep in. Being it was Mom and Dad’s, it made it even more special. Eventually, however, the bed moved with me to Maryland and landed in a spare bedroom of the house I now share with my new husband.
Recently, we reorganized the room it was in and realized we no longer could use it as it was just too small for our tall guests. I was happy when one of our children wanted it for her new apartment. So off it went again in a rented trailer to its new home. Unfortunately, shortly after transport, it was concluded that the bed was just too small and she would not be keeping it.
Initially, I was saddened to hear but completely understood. I wondered if I should have kept the bed after all. There was just a bit of pinging on my heartstrings since it had been my parents’ bed frame. I quickly let those thoughts go, telling myself I’d given it away and once gifted, it’s not mine to control any longer. What God was telling me was that whatever happened to the bed was not for me to worry about! I later learned He was working in a way I never could have ever imagined or even hoped for.
Shortly after it was realized that the bed was too small, I was delighted when my husband and I got a message about the status of the bed and the new home to which it had gone. Using a social network platform, the bed was given away. After delivery, a most amazing and touching message was received.
Thirty minutes after the bed was dropped off, the following popped up: “Thank you again. I have been sleeping on an air mattress for 2 years because I couldn’t afford a bed, and it’s my birthday today!! Lol!!” I read it again as it seemed unbelievable. I was so thankful to know just how appreciative the recipient felt and that a real need was met on their birthday no less! Then I nearly laughed out loud as I realized just what God had done. I let go and He took care in providing a birthday gift to another “air mattress sleeper” in a way I could have never made happen on my own.
Could this be why we are told not to worry and to instead be at peace? The Apostle Paul gives us this insight in his letter to the Philippians:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
The bed incident was certainly beyond my understanding as to how it all came together. I am thankful for the peace God gave me after I’d given it away. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34 makes it clear why we have no need to worry: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
“Let Go and Let God” has become a well-used phrase in helping remind us that God’s in control and we are not. What have you been holding onto and attempting to control? Does it need to be let go and given to God? When we can leave a situation in God’s hands, the outcome may be well beyond anything we have hoped for or ever imagined.
JW