Ah yes. Just the thought of a young child with a security blanket pulled up to his face, thumb in his mouth is enough to cause the cuteness meter to peg inside most of us. Talk about a comfort zone! As long as the blanket is close, everything is going to be okay. (Having Snoopy close is a bonus!)
What is it about a simple blanket that is so reassuring? I don't know if anyone has ever really studied it. It's probably a weird mixture of habit, texture, smell, touch and warmth. The brain is a pretty incredible piece of equipment; able to create security from a simple swatch of cloth. My son, Riley, found comfort and security with a (clean) cloth diaper. He'd tickle his face with the extra threads that hung from the corners.
There's something about this picture that conjurs up in all of us images of peace and security and home and acceptance and safety. Even as adults there are "blankets" that we cling to for comfort. But many of these blankets aren't so cute and cuddly. In fact, some are quite sad.
Let's change the picture a little. Imagine that blanket, not clean and soft and plush but rather filthy and wet; like a blanket that's been on the floor of the garage under the old water heater. And yet, we cling to it; wringing out every last bit of security from it. We hold it, smelly and grimy, up to our face in a pathetic attempt to feel better.
These nasty blankets are the addictions, the sin, the harmful relationships, negative thinking, unforgiveness, bitterness and hatred that we all cling to in one form or another. These things, though incredibly damaging, bring us comfort in a weird distorted way and we are loathe to let go.
But letting go means healing. Letting go means getting better and putting things on a right foundation. Letting go means saying yes to Life and no to death. Letting go means making things right. And I'm talking about the "real right," not the "imagined right."
It's time to let go of that nasty blanket. Take the steps to rid yourself of the things in your life you know are harmful. Stop leaning on those filthy rags to bring you some distorted form of comfort and security.
Stand back and look at yourself and your life. You're not Linus. And that's not Snoopy laying next to you. What are you really holding on to?
Let. It. Go.
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