Freedom on the Porch

I admit to being an indoors person.  Not that I hate being outside, but I prefer air-conditioning and have to make the confession that I am just a little bit spoiled.

That being said, I spent the morning working outside, washing off my porches and picking up things around outside, the job I usually leave to my wonderful husband.  He takes care of the outside of the house; I take care of the inside of the house.  It works perfectly.  But, it was a job that needed to be done and, today, God knew that I was the one who needed to get it done, so that I could see freedom from my front porch.

So, I found myself outside.  As I sprayed down my porch, I had an overwhelming sense of humbleness, peace, and freedom come upon me.  I began to ponder about our nation's upcoming holiday.  Selfishly, I admit that the fourth of July is a day that I love...for the sole purpose of having some great food and spending time with my extended family.

Yet, as I looked out from my front porch, I saw the American flag, hanging.  As the daughter of a military father, I have always wanted the American flag to be flown at my house.  It represents my country. It represents my family.  It represents the military.  Most importantly, it represents my freedom.  Today, it represents freedom from my front porch.

I am free to love.
I am free to have the opportunity to work and help provide for my family (along with my husband).
I am free to have time to spend with my children.
I am free to go to church and praise God.

My front porch freedom didn't come easily, although I take it for granted.  It came from hard work and sacrifice.  I am humbled by the fact that I was not the one to make that sacrifice.  That sacrifice was made by our ancestors, by our military, and most important by the Son of God, who sacrificed His life for mine, so that I might have eternal freedom.

As July 4th comes upon us, let's not forget our freedoms.  Yes, it's okay to enjoy fireworks, bonfires, trips out on the lake, family reunions, or whatever you find yourself doing this holiday weekend. But, as you oooohhh and aaahhhhh over those sparkling lights, remember freedom was paid.  Freedom had and continues to have a price.  Most of us won't pay that price, but we can appreciate the sacrifice of those who did, and of the One who gave it all.

Life: Over-easy

I had my eggs over-easy this morning.  That got me thinking to how life is over-easy, perfect on the outside, yet a little runny on the inside.  As individuals, it is so "easy" to make life seem perfect on the outside.  The way we present ourselves on social media is only what we want the world to see...we chose what to post and what filters to add and can even choose who sees those posts.  Yet, just like the over-easy egg, if you poke us, you'll often find a runny mess.

Yep, that's true.  Take the post perfect person you know.  The one you may compare yourself to, be jealous of, or aim to be like.  Guess what?  If you poke them, they're a little bit runny and imperfect on the inside too.

So, why do we constantly compare ourselves to others?  Declare today to stop right now.  Give yourself a break!  Stop comparing your "insides" to someone else's "outsides", as I read the other day.  Take back your life.  It's your life.  Not your life as it compares to someone else's life.  You are enough.  You are perfect the way you are.  You are able to make changes in your life, because they are the changes you want to make.  You are beautiful.  You are created in the image of God.

You are not called to be like anyone else.  You are not even called to be like Christians.  You are called to be like God.  "So God created mankind in His own image" (Gen 1:27).  Yes, you are enough.  You are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:14).

So, be like the over-easy egg, in all its runniness glory.  Let's talk about that runny part, the part of life that we seldom show people.  Let's look at that egg.  The yolk is actually the most nutritional part of the egg.  We've been bombarded with fitness fanatics that say "egg whites only".  Yet, the yolk contains most of the vitamins and minerals of the egg!  Egg yolks are known to help with cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and memory and cognitive function!

So, embrace your over-easy life! All of it!  That runny yolk of your life is what makes you, you! 

Courageous Faith

Faith is part of the six-folds.

Without faith, I am nothing.  I have faith in God.  I have faith in Jesus Christ.  I have faith in my husband, and often put faith in my job and other members of my family.  I have to admit, though, it's really hard to have faith in this world. In fact, sometimes I fear this world and what it has become.   As a mother, it scares me to the point that I want to be an overprotective Mama Bear and wrap my kids in bubble wrap.

It scares me to think in a world that teaches tolerance, that my children will grow up in a world where shades of gray are okay, and no, I'm not talking about some movie or book.  There are things in this world that are black or white, right or wrong, and as a Godly woman, it is my job to teach those things to my children. 

But, let's talk about the other side of this.  Judgment.  See, Christians spew so much judgment that it is seldom seen in the eyes of love.  Many are too busy showing what they are against, that no one knows what they are for.  Being a Christian should not and does not equal hate.  Yes, Jesus got angry and flipped the tables at the synagogue.  But, the Jesus that I read about spent more time with the sinners than He did with the "church folk".

I am reminded of this story.  Jesus was sitting, teaching, like He is often found doing in the New Testament, when the scribes and Pharisees (church "leaders" back in the day), brought a woman to Him.  This woman had committed adultery and, under the law at that time, was to be stoned to death.  According to John 8:6, the scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, in order to tempt Him.  The NIV version says that they were using her "as a trap", so that they could bring accusations against Jesus.  They want to provoke Him enough, that He would condemn her and judge her.  Jesus, as the Son of God, probably could have.  But, instead, He wrote in the sand.  No one really knew what He wrote, but He said "You who is without sin be the first to cast a stone".  One by one, the crowd dropped their stones and walked away.  They didn't condemn her, neither did Jesus.  Jesus showed love, and He loved radically.

So, in this world, I can teach my children right and wrong, but I can also teach them to authentically love people.  And, maybe through courageous faith and walking in His grace, we--my children, You, me--We will all find this world a little less fearful.