Free

December 17
Free

When I think of the word "free" I have two remembrances
Of you at age four and a half:
One of you at the beach with your arms spread wide,
As though you want to fly into the sea, embracing it -
(This is always how you approached the expansive sea).

The other is of you splashing in a huge puddle
In the midst of a deluge,
Joyfully jumping, skipping,
One foot, then two,
No cares about the rain or being wet.
Just living in the moment,
Free. (Such delight!)

When I remember these images,
It is as though I feel the liberation you are experiencing
And my heart soars.

Jesus, Immanuel
Frees us, too, if only we would open our eyes to see it,
Takes away our sorrows,
Burdens,
Fears,
To set us free
Soaring in the wild abandon of
God's amazing grace. 

What do I need to let go of in order to fully experience the freedom Jesus has already given to me?

Freeing Us

Freeing us

Arms outstretched and releasing,
being vulnerable,
facing life with gusto
(without fear),
knowing we are loved
even when we fail.

Life is ahead of us
in more ways than one:
We open up our arms
to let go, to be free
so that we can embrace
that which is
life-giving.

You!
You make it possible:
Your own arms outstretched,
letting go of life
to gain life
for
us.

There you are
on a cross.
Freeing us.

Unbound

"The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth, Jesus said to them,, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'" John 11:44




Unbind us
From whatever holds us back:
Our fears,
   selfishness,
       lack of self confidence
            skepticism.

Let us go
To share with others
How you have freed us,
   given us new hope,
       healing,
           life!