Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Our pastor challenged us to write an "I believe" statement. I had a hard time because the Frankie Laine song kept going through my head. Click here So, I had to think of way to get there through a "back door". I recalled the Schwends always quoting Bitsy, "Everything's going to be all right" and I thought, "What phrases do I use all of the time?" That might help me find my core beliefs.
There are two phrases I find myself repeating. One is, “Go while the gettin’ is good.” Thank goodness, Dave and I have always made quality travel experiences a priority since at this time, our health prevents us from traveling much. Someone was surprised that I had already achieved 100 things on my “bucket list” but we travelled, skied, hiked, biked when we were young and healthy. We might not have always lived in the largest house or driven the fanciest cars, but we chose to experience life to its fullest while we could. We loved to travel and hope to again some day.
My other frequently used phrase is “ Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes.” This probably began when I was in 8th grade. I was always short, but suddenly I felt . . . .well, immature compared to my classmates. So I went out and bought a pair of high heel shoes. Yes, they were uncomfortable, but they made me look more mature.. . . or so I thought until I saw a reflection in a store window of myself walking. I looked like a little girl clomping around in her mother’s high heels. Then, I did the math. I was 5’ tall and 3” heels made me 5’3” which was not exactly statuesque. That was the last time I ever wore high heels.
I wore hush puppies, Dr. Scholl’s, Birkenstocks, Clarks and Merrills——insisting that there was more to life than fashionable and uncomfortable shoes. I also took that credo to other aspects of my life. I drive a VW Beetle which makes me smile and fits me just right. My kitchen island is shorter than counter tops so I can work comfortably. I seldom wear skirts or dresses which bind me at the waist. I don’t watch television which makes me squirm with its language or violence. I shut off all political diatribes on facebook by “hiding” them or blocking the original poster.
But, lately I’ve noticed that I’ve started avoiding people and groups which make me uncomfortable, also. It probably began when I had to limit my social contact due to being immune suppressed. Also, I’ve had blood pressure issues for years. I see a doctor regularly, but. . . .when I’m with pessimistic people, toxic people, or angry people, my blood pressure rises. Whether it’s their politics, their slant on Christianity, or their values, I just haven’t be able to make room in my life for people who are binding and make me squirm. If I have to limit my social contact, then I want it to be with healthy people in every aspect. So, I’ve expanded my “Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes” to “Life is too short to surround myself with people who make me uncomfortable.”
Which bring me to my “I believe “statement. . . . I believe in freedom from things, people, places that bind me. I believe in freedom to choose where I live, how I live, with whom I live. My DNA says that I descend from a slave in America, and now I wonder if my need for freedom and travel comes from something imbedded in my DNA. But, maybe by “choosing my social contacts” I am in truth restricting myself to just people who are like myself. Maybe I need to break out of my “comfort zone” in order to be truly free of chains. Maybe, as my daughter suggested, those whom I see as negative or shallow, need encouragement to break their chains also.
Psalm 107:13-16 - Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
