Letting go can be the very thing that leads you where you’re meant to be

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When I look back over my life, I wouldn’t describe it as especially harsh or unusually difficult. But that doesn’t mean it’s been without its lessons. Like anyone else, I’ve had moments that challenged me; experiences in sports, in relationships, and in personal growth that all seemed to point toward one consistent message:

Knowing when it’s time to move on.

There’s a thought that came to me years ago that has stayed with me ever since: “Some of the best decisions of my life have been made by other people.”

At first, that idea didn’t sit easily. We like to believe we’re in control, that we’re the ones steering the course. But when I reflect honestly, I can see moments where I didn’t have the strength, clarity, or courage to make the right decision on my own.

I remember playing semi-pro football in my early twenties. I loved the game. After two seasons, my body had taken a beating, but I wasn’t ready to let it go. I would’ve kept playing without hesitation. Then one day, my football equipment, pads, gear, everything, just disappeared. To this day, I have a strong suspicion my dad had something to do with it. He had seen the hits I took and the toll it was taking on me. In that moment, a decision I couldn’t make for myself was made for me. That was in 2007, and I haven’t played contact football since.

The same pattern showed up in relationships. There were times I stayed longer than I should have, avoiding hard conversations and difficult endings. I wasn’t the one who said goodbye, but those relationships still came to an end. What felt like loss at the time eventually revealed itself as protection and redirection.

Today, I’m married, 12 years strong, with four incredible kids. Looking back, I can clearly see that those closed doors made room for something better.

So, if you feel that quiet nudge, that inner pull telling you it’s time to walk away, don’t ignore it. Sometimes it’s not just your own thoughts. It may be God guiding you toward something greater. And whether the decision comes from you or is made for you, trust that letting go can be the very thing that leads you where you’re meant to be.