Finding freedom.

I was the girl who didn’t care what anyone thought, climbing on the back of my dad’s motorcycle after school. I was also the girl who was mortified when he picked me up in his patrol car. One mode of transportation represents ultimate freedom while the other represents an utter lack of it.

I remember wanting to feel free even as a young child. Seriously, how many third graders pick Bob Seger’s, “Against the Wind,” as their favorite song? It makes me laugh now. I mean I WAS free! Free from bills, responsibilities (for the most part), and free from my metabolism! What was I feeling the need to escape from? Rules? Well we all know those don’t go away, EVER. Freedom from mean girls? They still exist! Freedom to wear what I want? Still can’t. Freedom to blast Guns and Roses as loud as I wanted? The irony being I no longer want to! I mean what did I think was going to be waiting for me on the other side of childhood? All the answers? Maybe. Freedom? Definitely.

I was the baby of the family. My sister got into more trouble than I did because she was more strong willed (if you can believe that) than I was. So by the time it was MY turn to go out, I wasn’t allowed to do much. I was scared to drive. I wanted freedom but spent most of my time in my room or in the back yard! I wanted to be around my sis but she was just trying to shake me most of the time. I may not have felt free but I loved being a sister (even if she would have preferred a puppy).

I’m proud to be my husband’s wife. He brings out great qualities in me and celebrates my true self. Even when he has no idea why I’m doing something, deciding something or dreaming of something, this guy supports it. All of it. I am loved and I never have to doubt that. He validates my feelings and enables my emotions when I need a good cry. He puts my children on blast when they are the reason for my tears. I’m not sure if one of us is the BETTER half but we sure make one heck of a whole! I can even feel a certain freedom when he walks in the door. And if he volunteers to put the kids to bed for me? Well that’s pretty much as good as a vacation around here!

Yes, I’m a mom. Shall we discuss motherhood and freedom? Oh my goodness. Never in my life did I expect the range of emotions that being a mom would develop within me. It’s sure NOT for sissy’s, like that T-shirt says. I have a young adult, a fournado, and everything in between. This is where being a kid sister comes in handy… I’m their biggest fan and biggest pain. Not much freedom tho. I can rarely even take a shower without interruption, let alone a hot bubble bath with essential oils, candles, bath bombs… NOPE! Not happening.

ALL these roles are amazing, ALL blessings. But none of them ever brought me the TRUE freedom that being a follower of Christ does. In fact, somedays I still feel like running away. But! There is so much freedom in saying,”yes,” to God. There’s freedom in knowing He will provide the words for this blog. Freedom in knowing He gets the glory. Freedom in knowing He will get it into the hands of those He wants to read it. He will sustain, uplift, encourage and empower anyone who calls upon Him.

If you are going through something right now, please hear me. Just sit back, take a deep breath and trust Him. Hit your knees when you can’t hit the open road! There’s so much freedom knowing that because HE IS SOVEREIGN, we don’t have to be!

2 Corinthians 3:17