When Piglet Gets Your Attention

Peter and I recently took the kids to see the new movie Christopher Robin (which I highly recommend, by the way). The movie contained much truth and goodness, and I left the theater feeling inspired to be a better mother, a better friend, a better human.

Towards the end of the movie, there is a scene where Piglet is carrying a load of acorns. He is running away in fear because he doesn’t recognize Christopher Robin now that he is an adult. We hear Piglet’s little voice say something along these lines:

“My little legs could go faster if I would just let go of these acorns. But I don’t want to let go of them. I love them too much.”

I have replayed that scene over and over in my head a hundred times.

So often, we hold onto some really good things. But these good things we are grasping so tightly are actually weighing us down. Maybe it’s a relationship. Or our family. Or a good job. Or money. Or control.

We hold onto these treasures too tightly, only to be trapped, missing out on all the good the Lord has in store for us.

If Piglet had only dropped his acorns, he would’ve been able to see his old friend Christopher Robin. But he was too frightened of something new and big to let go of the little things in his hands.

Man, can I relate to this in a lot of ways.

Last week on the blog, I shared about this journey of unfamiliarity I’m walking through. A journey our church is walking through.

My personality leans toward comfort. The familiar. I want things to stay the same.

Recently I was reading about the Enneagram, and I came across this description of a 9, which is what I am:

Enneagram 9 wants “to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them… what they generally do not have is a sense of really inhabiting themselves – a strong sense of their own identify.”

This. Right. Here.

It’s a perfect description of me.

I don’t want things to change. Which is ironic given that, when I’m in an unhealthy place, I’m a people pleaser and can pretty much change my personality or desires depending on who I’m around and what they want from me.

This is a constant struggle, this being content with who God made me to be. So often, I hold onto the little things because I feel as if I have control over them. Which of course is ridiculous because none of us is really in control.

Pastor Steven Furtick says that he will take something he cares deeply about, something he’s concerned about, and it eventually morphs into something he tries to control.

I’m the same way. I care so deeply about my church, the people in it. Because, in actuality, the people are the church. I want to see lives changed. I want to see men and women actually follow Jesus where He leads. I want the same for myself and my family.

I see these people who walk into our contemporary worship service each week, some struggling to put on a happy face, a mask to cover up their hurt. I watch as they stand, going through the motions, singing words declaring the unfailing love of Jesus. But do they truly recognize Him?

As a member of the worship team, I want so much for people to experience Jesus. As they sing, I pray they will allow His Spirit to wash over them. A friend of mine recently mentioned that she is praying for revival for our church. In the midst of this season of change and unfamiliarity, I’m praying for revival too.

So today, in this season I so want to control, I am letting go. I am opening my hands and lifting them to the Father because I know His love is greater.

What are you holding onto today?