Sweet Liberty

I have a degree in business management and French.  I think so, anyway…I’d have to check my framed diploma in the attic to verify that.  When I graduated in 2003, I was set to take a job helping non-profit organizations with their  investments and benefits packages—something I felt that I could make a lot of money doing and—bonus!—it had some moral merit to it!  I had heard the line throughout my years of study that I had what it took to be successful.  I bought the line and sold it to myself in more ways than one so that when I discovered that the hubs and I were expecting our first child a mere six months post graduation, it was a little hard to pry my fingers off of the grip I had on that line.  It took the remainder of the pregnancy for my mind and heart to catch up to my growing belly.  We had certainly planned on having kids—maybe even quite a few—but first I had wanted to prove my worth on the corporate playing field.  

The quickest way to lose sight of God’s plan for your life and what He thinks of you is to care an awful lot about what people think of you.   When God gave us Gabriel Ethan, I realized that I had wrapped myself in garments of praise that were man-made.   Somewhere in those college years, I had forgotten to listen to God’s voice and instead  I made my own plan.  Truth be told, it was quite liberating to shed those garments and take hold of the “real” plan!

I found myself recently imprisoned, again,  by the plans I was making & the expectations I had placed on my life.  There are people doing crazy, amazing work—rescuing humans from slave labor, or bringing support to the underprivileged kids in our ciites.   There are women in my life who can repurpose a piece of furniture in their sleep.  There are other jewelry artists whose designs and success far outrank mine.  I’m in East Earl, PA  trying to do about a dozen things flawlessly only to find I’m pretty average at all of them.  The hardest person to convince that I am worthy is myself.  If you believe in God, the creator and his son, Jesus Christ, who redeems souls then you can go with me here.  If you don’t, than you won’t find the end of my story very applicable.   There is no power in just simply turning away from the binds that tie, making me feel insecure, unsuccessful, and overwhelmed.   However, to my delight, there is power in turning my eyes to the Lord. God speaks purpose into my life when I take 15 minutes in the afternoon to sit down and spill my heart.  He comes near and whispers a peace into my overcommitted mind that is threatening to wander if He doesn’t speak soon enough.  He reminds me that I am acceptable in His presence and He actually doesn’t care that I haven’t put out my pumpkin decorations or flossed the kids teeth or followed election coverage. ^“ But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”  (2 Cor. 3:16-17)  Ahhh…sweet LIBERTY!!!
♥, Erin (Read more posts from Erin Here)
Photo by Tessa Marie Photography