ReMindEd   •   April 16, 2017

How can I not blog today about Easter being that is is Easter Sunday.
And regardless of what you believe about the history this day represents, the fact most of the world celebrates it is enough permission to blog about the topic for me, today. And watch, I can totally do this without being a bible-bashing, out-to-convert-you post, as that is not my intention, not today, not ever.

I was out running early this morning. Actually, before that, earlier than that, I was up making Easter egg hunts for my kids- nothing like the morning of! While I was running, barefoot along the beach as I always do, I was overwhelmed at the freedom today represents. Yes I am a Christian, so today has more significance for me than perhaps for others, but regardless of your own belief system, is not freedom something we all seek?

Freedom. To be free. No longer bound. No limitations or restraints. Freedom. Oh to be truly free!

As a mental health therapist, my room is always, and only ever, filled with people seeking freedom. Freedom from their minds, freedom from their past, freedom from guilt or shame or pain. Freedom from a toxic relationship. Freedom to restore connection with a family member. Freedom from anger or depression or suicidality. Freedom.

We somehow all long for something more than what binds us. We somehow believe it to exist, even when someone may have battled the same war or pattern their whole lives. We intrinsically know we can be more free. Do we perhaps know, somewhere within us, that freedom does exist, that it is accessible, available, deserved?

The other thing people search for, and I’d argue, there may well only be two, is love.

Love. To be loved. To love. To be love. Again, it seems to be something we all want. Love is something we all need. Even for some people who may have never experienced healthy love, they somehow long for it, they know it is theirs to be had, if only they knew where to find it.

Freedom and love are searched for by us all.

What is it about freedom and love that we need? Why those two? My idea is that they are truly intrinsic needs, built within us. And our search continues for the most healthy, pure, even ideal version of freedom and love we can find.

Freedom and love are intrinsic needs.

Today, on Easter Sunday, as I ran along the ocean’s edge, as others also ran or walked, alone or together, with coffee or a dog leash in hand, there was a profound sense of gratitude. Of love.

And I have run that beach hundreds of times, but today, there was a thick sense of awe, of thankfulness. Again, of love.

Was it just me that noticed? Was it only my heart’s song as I ran? Because I felt like running with my arms outstretched, heavenward. Not that I did, as I may have been rescued by a life guard.

It was my heart’s position. One on my knees, with heart in hand. Overwhelmed with love. The love which purchased freedom, as only love can.

Overwhelmed with love…Freedom has been purchased.

I was listening to the latest Bethel soundtrack, and the song’s words stirred my soul:

“It’s extravagant. It doesn’t make sense. Can’t comprehend. The way you love us. It’s unthinkable. Only heaven knows. Just how far you’d go. To say you love us. 

So today, let me encourage you, you are loved. Extravagantly. 

And freedom is possible. It just is. You don’t even need to believe it to receive it. You can call it what you like. Freedom just is. And guess what that means for us…

“It is finished”!

Whatever your ‘it’ is, the price for your freedom was paid.

Freedom from your past, freedom from your mind, freedom from fear, freedom from pain, shame and guilt. Freedom. You can be free.

Your freedom was paid for so you don’t have to do anything to be free. Just accept you are loved. 

You are loved. So be love. It’s who you were made to be. Anything else is the struggle. That’s where freedom is found.

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Always for freedom,

Sal and Grant and kids.
#alwaysforfreedom

#onlyforlove

www.reminded.com.au

@remindedmind