There are places that offer freedom for each of us. When I think about my home, I think
about a place where I am free.
Free to be me, free to have bad days, free to make messes, free to love
wildly, free to create, free to just be.
In relationships there is a desire for freedom. There are few people who offer that
freedom. But once in a while, you come across someone with whom you know you
are free to be. I was pondering
that recently. What is it about
certain friendships that breed that feeling of freedom? Why are we so guarded with some friends
and so comfortable with others? Sometimes you can meet someone
and immediately know you share kindred spirits. It doesn’t necessarily come from having the same goals or
interests. Some of my dearest
friends are so different than I in most areas of life. What is it then that creates freedom in
relationships? In one word, it is
grace.
Grace is something we all talk about and experience but like explaining
the love of God, grace is inexhaustible.
It just simply is.
Grace. It covers messes,
overlooks faults, glues brokenness, loves freely, corrects softly, leads
gently, and invites openness.
Are you the friend who offers grace to those in your circle by giving
them freedom?
I saw a quote that said something like, “You know we are good friends
when I stop apologizing for the way my house looks when you visit.” I love that. We all know that is a true barometer of friendship. Trust me; my inner circle of friends
knows I will not be nominated for the “cleanest” house award. But I do hope they feel a spirit of welcome
and calmness in my home. I’ve
always chosen calm over clean and chaos.
If only I could figure out how to have calm and clean… but that’s
another subject altogether!
In my relationships, I want to offer freedom. Here is my Proclamation of
Freedom to those I love.
I set you free:
To be the unique individual God created you to be, accepting every small
idiosyncrasy.
From criticism, embracing even what I may not understand about you.
To achieve the desires of your heart, I will celebrate what you
accomplish.
From competition, realizing we do not have to strive for the same goals.
To create the life you desire for your family.
From judgment simply because you may choose a path different than my
own.
To share your heart in its rawest and most vulnerable state.
From betrayal, I will keep your confidences and guard them well
To speak freely, even without a filter, to say what is on your mind.
From worry that you will offend by your honesty, knowing your love is
always present.
To have bad days, children who make mistakes, and a husband who is human
From labeling, you are not one bad day; you are not the sum of the
mistakes those around you make.
To be the compilation of your past experiences and future dreams, living
somewhere in the present middle
From judging you for things over which you had no control, realizing
you’re doing the best you can.
To laugh loudly and often, being silly and childish on purpose
From letting life be taken too seriously, creating moments of fun for
you
To cry openly and without apology, realizing life doesn’t always feel
good.
From lofty opinions that suggest you get over your hurts before your
heart is ready to move on.
To be loved deeply. Your
friendship adds to the fabric of my life.
From being alone; I may not always be physically close to you, but I
will be a simple heartbeat away.
I think about Jesus and how He allowed His disciples to be who they
were. He often grew frustrated at
Peter’s impetuousness, or Thomas’s doubting, or James and John’s fusses. Yet, He continued to hang out with
them, to coach them, lead them, eat meals with them, pray with them, and minister
with them.
May I be more like Jesus in my relationships. May I extend grace when needed. May I be willing to coach and lead and lovingly rebuke. May I create an atmosphere where people
can grow in grace and where we can pray and serve and minister together. And may those who spend time in my
presence feel loved, respected, valued and most of all free to be who they are.
Freedom…it is the deepest gift I have to give. May I do so freely.
Photo Credit: Katy Rose
About Renee Parris