We all want to be free, but what is true freedom? The poem came to me quickly one night during an online writing session with friends. The prompt was: She Flew. First, I began to write and did not lay down my pen until the poem was finished. That doesn’t happen very often, and I think I was as surprised as anyone else that it came so fast.
(To give more options I’ve recorded this post. You can read, just listen or listen and follow along.)
Later in the post I’ll share the poem with hopes that you will be encouraged to look up with hope to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We find true freedom in Him.
Become Like Children
We all get tired and busy. It’s easy to forget that God delights in us and wants us to delight in Him. We keep ourselves so busy that we go from one thing to another and forget to be fully present in each moment. My desire is that we become as little children again to rediscover the childlike wonder and awe we once had.
So often we put chains on ourselves or allow others to do so, and we live such fixed and rigid lives that we forget how we were meant to live.
We forget to ask questions, slow down, sit outside, observe creation, to be quiet and listen.
Matthew 18:3
Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Freedom in God
There is beauty all around us if we will just look for it. There is a freedom in being honest with ourselves, allowing ourselves grace, not being afraid of the hard things.
We serve an awesome God, who knows us better than we know ourselves. He is not afraid of our questions, and He desires our love and adoration.
Let’s seek to know God as fully as we can. By putting ourselves in His hands, instead of our own, we find more freedom and beauty in this journey of life. He breaks the chains that hold us back, and we are truly free.
Freedom to Fly
They said it was impossible, but she knew she could do it.
They said she must stay in her safe little box, but she felt trapped.
Then they said she would die if she stepped out of it, but she knew they were wrong.
They said she was not good enough, but she knew they were lying.
They did all they could to keep her down.
What could she do?
How could she make them understand?
“Why do we have wings if we were meant to stay in these little boxes?
What are you all afraid of?” she cried, “I cannot stay like this!”
They recoiled in horror upon hearing these questions.
How dare she doubt the way things have always been done!
Why was she so wild and untameable?
Slowly she stood up and
stretched out her wings
Oh, how good it felt to
open them to their widest span
Everyone gasped, but she
felt empowered
Timidly approaching
the edge of her box
She paused,
Gazed into the sky
And jumped…
What a glorious sensation!
the wind blowing across her face,
the grace with which she flew across the sky.
It was exhilarating!
Making her way back she
saw the others still cowering
“Please,” she pleaded,
”This is what we were made for.
Come join me!”
~gsw~
Freedom, Comfort and Peace
Above all, with God’s help we can spread our wings and fly, continuing on our own unique journeys. Even when the hard times come, God will be with us through it all. He gives a comfort and peace we can’t manufacture on our own.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
*The poem was first shared on my former blog in March of 2014. The post itself has been edited and changed to its present form.
I’m linking up with: #HeartEncouragement, #Let’sHaveCoffee
Dear Gayl,
Thank you för sharing. What a beautiful grandchild you have!
The ‘business’of everyday life and then the poem spoke into my situation.
Blessings and love.
Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa! Yes, she is such a sweetheart. I’m glad the words spoke to you. May God bless you, dear sister! Much love to you. xoxo
Oh Dear Gayl, thank you so much for te-posting this today again! This is one of my favorite poems of yours! Our Lord does have such beautiful times for us, of flying with Him! And I love that sweet childlike wonder in your Granddaughter’s face! Blessings, love, and hugs to you my dear poet/sister/friend! Xoxo
Dear Bettie, thank you so much for your encouragement. I’m so thankful we can pray for each other and share our lives if even only online for now. Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
Gayl, this is beautiful! I so enjoyed sitting with your voice and words!
Thank you so much, Tammy. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Blessings to you! xo
Gayle, your updated website is beautiful. I enjoyed the pictures and your inspiring words!
Carol, thank you so much. Blessings to you!
❤️ beautiful! I love knowing the inspiration behind poems, too. God wants us to live freely—what a promise!
Thank you so much, Anita. Yes, we are so free in Christ! Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Your beautiful poem encourages my heart, Gayle. Yes, with God’s help we can “spread our wings and fly, continuing on our own unique journeys.” Thank you! Love and blessings to you! What a precious photo of your grand-daughter! 🙂
Thank you so much, Trudy! I’m so glad you were encouraged, dear sister. Yes, I love that photo! 🙂 Blessings and love to you! xo
Gayl, I love your poem and it’s freeing message. The reflection on freedom also spoke to me, especially these words: “So often we put chains on ourselves or allow others to do so, and we live such fixed and rigid lives that we forget how we were meant to live.” They encapsulate how chained I have been feeling of late by chronic illness, unbearable heat, and echoes from my past that still seek to enslave. Now the weather is cooling and the exhausted feverishness is alleviated, thankfully. Your post, and the delightful image of your darling youngest granddaughter, is an invitation to loosen those chains, embrace hope and wonder, and step out in faith so my soul can soar again. Thank you, dear friend! xoxo 💜
Dear Joy, thank you so much for your sweet encouragement. I’m so glad the poem and blog spoke to you and encouraged you. Oh, my, I am so sorry you have felt so chained by the illness and heat and even the echoes of the past. It seems the past keeps trying to haunt even though Jesus has broken those chains for us. I’m so glad to have inspired you, dear sister. May God grant you peace and wonder and hope and the trust to step out following Him with joy in your heart. Much love to you with gently hugs, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo Blessings to you! I’m so glad you stopped by.