Leave God’s Work to God

Dear Reader, I’ve been struggling with the desire to repair a relationship with my son. Despite efforts, nothing seems to be changing. My words and texts are not acknowledged.  My gestures aren’t met with gestures. I feel like I’m reaching into silence.

And so I’m brought back to a humbling truth—one echoed in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:

"Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show... What usually happens? The show doesn't come off very well... We had to quit playing God. It didn’t work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director."
—Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 60–61

This is not just good advice. It’s a spiritual call to surrender—to let go of my illusion of control and trust in a divine solution greater than my own.

I’m also reminded of Lao Tzu’s quiet wisdom:

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

And Oscar Wilde’s sharp truth:

"When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers."

Sometimes the things we want most urgently are not the things that will bring healing. Sometimes our timing is not God’s timing.

The recovery reading from Walk in Dry Places speaks deeply to this:

"We can’t fix anybody, nor can we fix any problem with a destructive, mood-altering drug. What we’re really seeking… what every compulsive person really seeks… is to fix the conflicting needs that tear us apart at the seams."
—April 25

When I try to fix things—especially people—I often only deepen the tension. But when I step back, breathe, and leave the spiritual work to the Spirit, the real good begins to happen.

The words of scripture offer anchors of truth:

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things... believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."
—Mosiah 4:9, Book of Mormon

Letting go of the need to control or even fully understand what’s happening around me is the essence of leaving God’s work to God.

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing... If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not..."
—James 1:4–7, KJV

"The more we become willing to depend upon a Higher Power, the more independent we actually are."
—Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Step Three

It may seem like surrender is weakness. But it’s not. It’s strength. It’s trust. It’s freedom. Because real peace comes when I let God be God.

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Conclusion: Letting Go Is Trusting Forward

There are things I cannot do, hearts I cannot change, and outcomes I cannot predict. But I can pray. I can show up in love. And I can trust that the same God who parted seas and calmed storms still works miracles in hearts—including mine and my son’s.

So today, I choose to leave God’s work to God—and walk respectfully in the part that is mine.

🕊️