True Freedom

Until I seek forgiveness and give forgiveness, I'm bound by the chains of sin and despair. 

True freedom comes from reconciliation with God and people. 

 

Free to Live

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

"I am Free!"

I woke up on May 1st with the News Boys song in my head. "I am free, yes I am free." That marked my first day as a retiree. No more clocking in and out. No more scheduled work, deadlines to make or staff meetings. Thanks to the support of my husband, I no longer need to work outside of our home. On my last day of work, several co-workers dropped by and bid me farewell. Many of them asked me what my plans were after I retired. But one of them posed a different question. He asked, "What is your favorite memory you'll take with you?" I had to ponder that one. With 24 years of library work, what did I think? A few hours later one of our former student assistants, Ty, dropped by to tell me good-bye. I had a Charlie Brown moment when in my head, I yelled, "That's it!"

My favorite memory stemmed from the students, Ty and Ben. I had both young men in elementary school, before I worked at the college. They both came to Clermont as college freshman and worked in the library as students. I had the privilege of seeing these two follow their dreams, along with several of my friends' children.

I loved working with students. But God knew I was ready for a change. As free as I feel about retirement, I am truly free in Jesus because he took my sins with him to the cross. When Jesus beat death, the shackles of sin fell from me because I chose to follow Him. Now without a daily job to go to, I have opportunity to explore my future. Through prayer and scripture, I'm seeking what God wants me to do for the rest of my life. I know my path includes encouragement, writing and art. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and a servant's heart, I want to glorify Jesus in whatever I do. Because the Spirit of the Lord is with me, I am free indeed.

Freedom and Hope

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Sixty-five lighthouses dot the coast of Maine. Those historical lights drew Tim and I to visit the beautiful north-eastern state. I've loved lighthouses for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure when I first learned of their existence and purpose, but it seemed I always knew the grand buildings saved lives and provided safety for fishermen and ship's crews. One of the lights we visited, Portland Head Light, is a majestic white structure surrounded by a home and several smaller buildings. As I wandered the property, I rounded the corner of the house and spotted a large stone.  A plaque told me the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, sat and penned his lighthouse poem there.

Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same,
Year after year, through all the silent night
Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame,
Shines on that inextinguishable light!

The poem reminds me of the hope I have in Jesus.

Steadfast—He's always here for me.
Serene—The calm in my storm.
Quenchless flame—His light cannot be put out. 
Inextinguishable light—Always shining, no matter what.

The world is a mess right now. Every day we hear stories of death and destruction. If I'm being honest—and I am, the terror scares me. I think of the world my grandchildren are growing up in and speculate about what it will be. Yes—I've gone down the road of "what if." But before I get too far gone, the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder and reminds me of the light. The one light that brings hope. The one that is never extinguished. You see, regardless of all the evil in the world, we have hope. Constant hope in Jesus. He's the one who brings peace and joy, the one who gives freedom from the world. He's the one who hears my prayers. He gives me freedom from fear and worry, because I know he has me in his hands. I pray for this world and the hurting. In my prayers, I ask that everyone will find comfort and peace in Jesus. He is the one who gives true freedom. The one who offers hope.