Free Indeed

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

I had an 'ah-hah' moment yesterday morning that I thought I would share with you. To give you a little background, since I've lost so much weight, my wedding rings have become loose. Really loose. Sometimes falling off loose. While I know this is a 'good' problem to have, it's a problem nonetheless. I called a couple jewelery stores to get a price on how much it would be to resize them. I couldn't believe the cheapest was an estimated $75! Now, God has provided for all our needs (glory to Him alone!) but $75 feels like a lot of money in our budget right now. I told my husband that maybe I should wait. In fact, I thought out loud on the phone with him, "after all, what if I gain weight back and have to do it again?"

Then it hit me. I have been set free by the Son. Thinking out loud made me realize how dumb the idea sounded, and yet it voiced a concern I'd really been thinking in the pit of my heart. What if I go back? WHY would I go back!?!?! was my next thought. This verse came to mind immediately (glory to the Lord for His Word). If Jesus has set me free from my addiction to food and caused this weight loss - which it truly has been the Lord's victory - then I am free...INDEED!

I then continued out loud with my thoughts and sheepishly relayed over the phone, "Or am I going to try and be thin for the rest of my life." My very loving, extremely supportive and faithful husband smiled (I'm sure) as he answered, "I think that's the point." Yes, indeed.

I no more than hung up the phone, and I turned on the local Christian radio station as I was making lunch for my kiddos. The broadcast was in the middle of the news... a ring had been dropped in a Walmart and a woman had picked it up and made off with it and authorities were looking for her. Wow! What a reminder that I needed to get my rings resized. I would be devastated to lose them...not necessarily because of their earthly value but because of the symbolism - they represent my husband loving me enough to spend more money than he had ever spent on anything before in his life (including his cars at the time) to tell me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

More than that, though, I think this news broadcast shows God's timing (is there such thing as coincidence?). I believe He was telling me to go ahead and get my rings resized because this is a permanent change. He has set me free. I am free indeed!

Have you been freed from your addiction? Have you been set free by the Son, Jesus? If so, live it! Don't think, "What if I go back?" Why go back? You're FREEEEE!!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, all I can say is thank You. I hear in my head the sound from the movie 'Braveheart' that Dave Ramsey plays on his shows when people become debt free. There is a roar of "FREEEEDOOOM!" May that ring in our hearts today. May we realize the grace that has set us free. May we realize that this freedom came at a very real cost to You. May we never take it for granted. Lord, help us walk and live within that freedom. Help us never turn back to our old way of thinking or our old habits. May we be healthy and thin our entire lives, from this moment forward. Thank You for setting us free. And thank You for reminding us that we're free. You are amazing! In Jesus' name, AMEN!