Up/Lion King: It is Finished, and Now It's Time to Go

²¹And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
 ²²Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise. IKings 11:21:22

So Hadad had learned that his tormentor or terrorist King David had passed, and immediately made a choice to move back home.   I am certain the reason why Hadad was with Pharaoh was not just because of that's where he felt safest, but also it had become normal for him.  After all Pharaoh favored him being there.  Like Hadad, I was faced with a choice when confronted by my own anger and angst that I had against my own father back in November 2011, and upon realizing this was not only unhealthy but not God's will for me to stay there, I decided to move on.  So I called him, and there began a new day, a new relationship, a new found respect, love and affection for the man named Raymond E. Washington, Sr.  

In the movie up, I don't think it was a coincidence that Carl was holding a balloon at his beloved Ellie's funeral that when he let that go....it would automatically ascend up.   And therefore you see the irony is that if we could just let go of our hurts, habits, and hang-ups we too, might follow the path of the balloon.  My dad was a teacher, a father, a friend, a mentor and a community leader to name a few, and despite that our relationship didn't improve til months ago, I praise God for that.   See my dad had had a child out of wedlock well before I was born, and purposed his heart to move where that child, my half-sister Deondra lived and attempt to develop and establish a relationship.   How honorable is that?  Think about it, he could've lived the last 14+ years of his life in denial of her existence but faced the reality of possible rejection and difficulties head on. 

Today I did my level best to do as God commands us, " To honor thy father......." when there was a time that I personally despised him.  I've come to see the man that laid today in that casket as me....I too am a teacher (of sorts), I too am friend/father, a community leader, and a mentor to some.   So even though I too have been hurt, which resulted in some ridiculous hang-ups, and led to some terrible habits....like Simba laying next to his dead father, Mufasa he had to decide to get up...and move forward, to assume the new normal.  The new position of leadership awaiting him.    I have had to do that in more ways than I cared to in the last 2 months, and I do so with the heart of Christ in me, to continue to leave a legacy that is worth following that I pray leads everyone to the will of the father.

My encouragement and challenge to all of you, is call, email, or go see that person that has hurt you, it at all possible.  Forgive them, yes forgive them and ask for their forgiveness.  Forgiveness that you disregarded them.....that you thought ill or evil of them, knowing that the same God that created you, created them.   He loves them just as much as He does you....so that when the time has come for you to Move Forward, beyond their timely passing, you do so without the weight of guilt or grief....and you are fetted with God's grace.   Humble Thyself and Watch Your Mouth!  LGLP