Freedom

This Freedom thing.... It's been stirring in my mind for a couple of weeks.
Freedom came in the form of red, white, blue, and BOOMS this past week. We all dressed in our 'Merica finest and took the obligatory family portrait.

Freedom is also all across the pages of social media, "Financial Freedom", they call it.
Freedom is in black and white words in my Bible study. The freedom that the way and truth of Jesus speaks.
As I continue to grow closer in my walk with Christ, sometimes so close I feel as though I could reach out and touch a thread of His robe. Sometimes I'm lagging a little further behind due to letting the world's busy schedule take hold of me.
We dedicated July as "No Buy July", after a sermon on Matthew 6:19. The Holy Spirit snatched me up on that one. Y'all, because seriously, I love stuff. I walk the aisles of a store, picking up all the shiny things and feeling the silkiness of a pretty blouse. We like eating, too, good food at that. So when our blinders were exposed and we realized that this American freedom dream we had been living was not pleasing to Jesus, we put a halt to it. My freedom is coming in the form of not being of this world. Not buying things that are going to end up being tossed in the trash or in a donation pile. My freedom is coming in the form of my family being gathered around our kitchen table with a meal that is ringing in around $15 or less, rather than $40+ at a restaurant. My freedom is following the way and truth of Jesus. Instead of being inspired by the cute outfit on Instagram, I'm finding my inspiration in Jesus, using that time I spent on outfit and home decor ideas and digging into the word. Falling more in love with Him.
Does this mean I'm going to wear the same clothes 10 years from now as I do today? No. Of course we will go 'back to school' shopping, myself included, because I'm going back too.ha!  But seriously, just not putting my 'focus' there anymore. That bare wall can stay bare a little longer. And that new top is cute, but do I really need it right now?
As I continue to walk on that narrow path Jesus has paved for me, I am shifting my focus. Taking off the blinders that have me in this tunnel vision of me, me, me. Holding out my hands, palms up, like a beggar of sorts, pleading Jesus to free me of where I'm laying up my treasures. Dedicating Him as my Master and not the distractions of this world.
Freedom is so beautiful when it is found in Jesus.

Here are my Freedom Goals for the month:
*Do not buy anything out of necessity
*Cook healthy, cost effective meals at home
*Limit time on social media
*Spend more time with my Savior and be aware of the Holy Spirit's presence
*Surround myself with like-minded people to encourage my walk and my goals.
*Do something for me that will make me a better wife, mommy, and overall person in general- get back in the gym and try to start running (I'm definitely not a runner, so this will be a new challenge for me)