Friday, July 3, 2009

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!

16 comments:

Jody Hedlund said...

Hi Diane,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I totally agree! We can't find true freedom unless it's through amazing grace! Have a Happy Fourth!

Jessica Nelson said...

Woohoo! Great post! :-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Thank you Diane for visiting my blog. What a blessing your post was for me! I've been through the nightmares of abuse and it has been difficult to forgive, but with the Lord's amazing grace and mercy, I'm set free! And He uses those trials and tribulations for me to minister to others.

Look forward to getting to know you better!

Jenni James said...

What a wonderful post! Than you for posting this! I agree 100% with you and as a spouse of a service member, it struck home even more. Thanks! Jenni

karin said...

Thóse are wonderful words. Thank you for sharing. And happy 4th july ofcourse!

Rhapsody Phoenix said...

Amen!


Thanks for the visit, please come again and feel free to share your thoughts. Have a blessed day and a wonderful week ahead.

Elizabeth McKenzie said...

Hi Diane,
Good post. Thanks for the comment on my blog.

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

Well said, Diane. I have a similar story (to the one told at the conference), and I have been able to let it all go because of my belief in God.

When we keep the hurt, we give the people who hurt us victory over our lives and our happiness.

Diane said...

Thank you all for your comments and sharing parts of your lives with me. Blessings!

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

diane - thanks for stopping by the blog. loved your freedom post. :) will you be at the conference? blessings to you!

Joanne said...

A beautiful story you've shared here. And how nice to suggest that we celebrate freedoms of all kinds. A very generous thought ...

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

Hi Diane,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I so agree with you. In fact, my post on freedom is similar to yours. Praise God for true freedom!
Susan

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"I am thankful that on that day, she faced the past hurts and was able to move on to that place of freedom."

How fortunate that she had your thoughts going with her. Makes all the difference.

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Diane,

Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! I wrote about "true freedom" yesterday, so appreciated your perspective as well. Our pastor had said that true freedom is the freedom to do good. We don't always see it that way, but that was very thought-provoking to me, and exemplied a bit of what you shared here. Thanks! Roxane

Diane said...

Thank you again for all your comments. Hope you visit again soon!

Moxymama said...

Great post!

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