I’m sure you’re thinking, “letting go of your teddy bear, where is she going with this?” Well just stick with me, these last few months it’s been hard not to realize the things I’ll be missing while I’m gone next year. They are things like puppy cuddles, exciting announcements, birthday, and babies turning into little people, just to name a few.
One major thing I have been struggling with is what is next for Simon. It seems a little silly that when I look at the list of things to do he is constantly coming to the top, but my heart is stuck on my best friend. Yes, he is a horse and yes it may seem a little silly that he’s my best friend, but let me tell you about this horse.
When I was 15, I was given a horse. I was literally handed a one-year-old horse and he was mine. That first year was rough, way rough, tear streaming, mud covering, body aching rough. However, what I learned in that year was that I can get back up, I can win this fight, and most importantly that I was never alone. Simon and I grew up a lot that year. Simon eventually turned into the horse I used to dream about. I would stand in awe sometimes that God had given him to me.
Ok, back to this teddy bear that I’m sure you’re really confused about. Simon is my teddy bear… there is more to my teddy bear than just Simon, but right now he represents a lot if it. Imagine a little girl holding onto her teddy and Jesus standing in front of her and asking her to let go, unbeknownst to the little girl that He is holding a GIANT teddy bear behind Him. That’s how I feel right now, I love my teddy bear, I love what he represents, I love that I got to keep him this long, I love the way he has grown with me, but the time has come to let go on my teddy. A friend once graciously put, “he was never yours to begin with, he’ll always be God’s”. I know that this race and adventure that I’m about to go on is that GIANT teddy bear waiting for me with people to meet, lessons to be learned, and God’s glory to be experienced.
Right now my goal is to keep my eyes focused on my King, realizing that preparation is a process as my heart get ready to let go of my teddy bear. There is so much joy that came from Simon, but also the wonderful people who came alongside us.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened”- Dr. Seuss
