I once heard the story of a twelve year old girl who received a beautiful pearl necklace as a birthday gift from her dad. These pearls were not real ones though, they were imitation pearls. The young girl loved the gift so much she would put on the necklace every single night before going to bed. When her dad came to say goodnight she was always looking like a princess.
This continued for several years. When she turned fifteen, her dad began asking her to please return the necklace to him. She had grown so attached to it she couldn’t even think of giving it away. She began to resent her father’s request. How could he ask her to return this gift she treasured so much? About twice per week he’d have the same request when he said goodnight.
About three months later, the girl, tiered of her dad asking, hesitantly took off the necklace and gave it to him. The dad immediately pulled a beautifully wrapped box from his pocket and gave it to her. She opened it and could not believe her eyes, it was a beautiful pearl necklace. This one did not have imitation pearls, but was made with the finest Mikimoto pearls!
After the resurrection, the disciples were like the young girl unwilling to let go. Many times Jesus said he had to depart so that they could receive the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdelene, she grabbed on to him and Jesus said, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” Mary Magdelene and the apostles are told to let go so that greater things may come. Eventually they did let go, Jesus departed forty days after his resurrection, and then greater things came: the descent of the Holy Spirit which strengthened them and allowed them to go out to preach to the ends of the world.
The girl in the story had to let go in order to receive something greater just as the apostles and early disciples had to let go to receive something greater. We oftentimes wrongly believe that we will receive more if we control more, holding on like Mary Magdalene, but by doing so we are only suffocating the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We must let go so greater things can happen.
Letting go is a good thing. Letting go allows for new things to happen. Letting go also brings about growth. This includes letting go of pains and hurts from the past to letting go of the old stale routine that prevents you from enjoying more time with your family. It also includes letting go of bad habits that harm and sometimes even letting go of good things so better ones may come.
The little girl’s father had a great gift waiting for her, and we know that every good and perfect gift is from Our Father in heaven. We must trust that he has great things in store for us if only we let go trusting that he will generously provide and surprise us in the process.
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