We All Want Freedom!

My son and I had a surprise visitor the other day. Blazer, our cat, brought Mr. Blue Jay for a visit. They must have wanted this visit very much because I can’t imagine how the two of them got through our small cat door together! After Mr. Blue Jay strutted around a bit, he started to play a game with Blazer. He got up on a Kitchen counter and swooped down on Blazer who got up on his back legs to try to catch him. Before he could catch him, Mr. Blue Jay would be up on the counter again. They soon tired of that game and Mr. Blue Jay retired to the kitchen window, looking out and wishing he were free. He couldn’t get his freedom there so he got down on the floor and strutted to the living room. Ron told me to open up the patio door and he chased Mr. Blue Jay outdoors and to his freedom. That was the end of our visit.

This is High School graduation week and thousands of teenagers are thinking, “I am free! Mom and Dad can’t tell me where to go or what to do anymore,” After graduation, some of them go back home to think “what’s next”, some gather with their friends and celebrate and others get into trouble. All of them know that their freedom comes with a price. Whether they are going off to college, learning their chosen career in trade school or finding a job that fits. They will have to learn how to manage their freedom.

The best way all of us can do this is to follow God’s leading. Remember He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. If we ask Him to lead us through bad times and good He will always be with us and freedom will be ours! That’s what freedom really is. Try it and see. I hope Mr. Blue Jay didn’t lose too many feathers during his visit. I guess he earned his freedom that day. I can’t say, “You’re welcome to come again, anytime, Mr. Blue Jay.”

WHO?

Praise1 Who put the pretty pink flowers on that tree? And who put the pretty white flowers on that other tree? They looked like fluffy clouds and I wanted to pick just one blossom from each tree. I did, and they were even more beautiful. The pink one had yellow and shades of blue in it and the white one had yellow with little black pebbles around it. As I continued to look, I saw the blue of the sky and the green of the grass which made a gigantic beautiful bouquet, just for me! But who gave it to me?

Later, I looked again. I saw the pretty blossoms crushed and on the ground. the trees didn’t look very good, but as I looked closer I saw each branch looked pregnant with little, swollen buds where the flowers had been. But, who did that?

As I walked past, not even looking at the trees. As a car past by me I turned around and saw the trees were pretty again! The branches wore many beautiful shades of green leaves. the trees looked just like they were waiting for someone to lie under them to rest and get out of the hot rays of the sun. Again, who did that?

I was busy and didn’t go near the trees for quite some time. When I did, I was shocked! The trees were beautiful. The leaves were colored by someone who could paint much better than the best artist around. The leaves were mostly shades of yellow but had shades of brown and bronze too! But who did that?

Soon, the trees were bare again. The rusty looking leaves were on the ground. The trees were taking a long rest. But I have a feeling, the trees will again carry pink and white flowers on each branch and I know who did all those things, the pretty blossoms, the green leaves and the colored leaves of fall. Do you know? It was God. Have you thanked Him lately for all He has done for you?