Freedom!

I am so appreciative for the many freedoms we enjoy here in America. Each and every soldier, veteran and fallen hero along with their families, has given more than most of us could ever comprehend. I personally want to extend my thanks.

No word gets me more excited than the word freedom. Not only the physical freedoms that we all are used to, but emotional freedom. I went to a ladies conference a couple of years ago and I will never forget it. The speaker told her story of the physical, emotional and mental abuses that went on in her life for many years as a child. Her story was heart wrenching but through her relationship with God and the incomprehensible forgiveness that only could be found through Him, she was able to forgive each person that had abused her. She was free. Physically, she had been free from the situation for a number of years, but we all know that the mind is where the hurts are replayed time and time again. The insanity of replaying the scenarios over and over again can be deadly. Because of the deliverance she received, today she is a counselor helping others to experience the same freedom. So, the part that I will never forget..... At the end of her talk, a 70 year old woman came up to her and was crying. She hugged and talked with the speaker for a long time and you could tell that she had somehow been wounded and never been able to deal with the pain. I could feel myself getting mad and sad at the same time! This poor woman had spent almost her entire life with this unresolved pain. How many years were robbed from her? How many sleepless, crying nights did she experience? I am thankful that on that day, she faced the past hurts and was able to move on to that place of freedom. Let's have a true Independence Day like the words from Amazing Grace:My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love....It's amazing grace!