Freedom

John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I've read this verse about 8,432 times. Ok, maybe a few more or less - you get the idea.

It's suppose to be a simple, straightforward verse through which believers find encouragement.

This week in Sunday School, I was challenged to really think about what this means. And...I drew a blank.

Suddenly, it didn't seem so simple.

Then I started thinking.

Life is sometimes hard. Sometimes life is very hard. Sometimes life is so hard that I wonder why Jesus doesn't just hurry up and come get us. Ahem...Lord, if you'd like to come today that'd be a-ok with me!

We just got back from a week of vacation.

Colorado was cold...we wore sweatshirts during the day. Texas is hot...I contemplated going to the grocery store in my underwear only last night.

We had a lot of mail. One nice note from a friend, 5800 bills, 5 bank statements reminding us that we still have to work, and one letter informing us that we were in violation of a city code we didn't even know was a code. Problems....problems that just need solutions...but still problems.

Our kitchen didn't look quite right...almost like someone or something had chewed through the wall. Shortly after that our new dog, Birdie, carried in a dead mouse to present to us. I'm convinced that there are more. I can't live with mice.

After disinfecting everything with bleach...including my husband and son...we hopped in the car to head over to our new house to check things out.

I thought it would be bricked. It's not. I am going to have to try to catch the mice because I have to stay in current house for a few more weeks.

Problems...problems...problems...they are every where.

We have a great life....we have a lot to be thankful for...not the least of which is this new baby that makes my belly swell a little more every day. But despite everything...every single day...we have a new problem to overcome.

And then I come back to that verse.

I always thought the "setting you free" part had to do with eternity. But now I see it differently. Knowing the truth sets me free from every day problems. It sets me free from the worry of how I'm going to pay a bill, catch a mouse, or learn about city codes. It gives me perspective.

And I need perspective.

When I don't have perspective I get worked up...really worked up...ok, I get angry over the little things.

Confession - this past Easter Sunday I got upset because my son got milk all over his cute dress pants that I had picked out for him. I got so frustrated that for a moment I convinced myself that Sunday was ruined because he wasn't going to wear those pants. He'd be the outcast of the nursery...it would be a reflection on my mothering skills. Even as I type this even I can see how insane I became. He's 1 year old...he's probably going to get poop on himself before the end of the day...why in the world was I so concerned about a little milk stain? I needed some perspective. I also needed a good smack upside the head.

I'm thankful today that I don't have to carry the burdens of this life by myself. Running a business is hard - REAL hard - but with the grace of God we can do it. Raising a family is even harder - who cares about bills when you consider the enternity of your children?

You get the idea.