Free…

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

Psalms 86:12-13 (NIV)

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According to Gratitude Boot Camp, July 4, 2102’s word is Freedom. It’s a fitting choice since Americans celebrate their independence on this day. I was born free, have lived free, but didn’t fully take advantage of that freedom until I released myself to live and love without fear. To articulate respectfully and in love precisely what I mean, to do what I believe is best, and to fully acknowledge that for me, before the moment I accepted my spiritual freedom, the rest of it didn’t mean a thing. I think I may be growing up.

My declaration of independence came when I began freeing myself of responsibility for the Universe. I acknowledged that God had IT under control, and my job was to life a life of joyful praise, acknowledging my deliverance from “foolishness.” It began when I prayed an earnest appeal for deliverance and guidance…

…Remind me that Your plan, Your love for me is my salvation.  Everything else is a figment of my imagination and a function of fear.  Today, Dear God, I recognize that I don’t even know what to pray for, so I will leave the blessing up to You….from Every Day I Pray by Iyanla Vanzant.

It continues still. You see, what I’m learning is that just as is the case with political freedom; spiritual freedom evolves. It begins with simple choices, and grows into a new way of approaching everything. Every thing.

So, today I celebrate independence. I am free to choose. I choose Grace. I choose kindness. I choose to live a life that blesses those around me and glorifies the God who created me.  Because I can. And more than fireworks, or a charming town parade, or a cookout, freedom is a powerful reminder that God loves me; that God is good.

Today’s Feast: Five Spice Pound Cake

Back story-You know what else is good; freedom from stressing in the kitchen. We are annually invited to brunch to watch the town parade with friends. They host a post-parade cookout, but we never stay, so I like to bring something people (like us) can nosh on as the parade passes by.  This was so quick I was free to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with family before needing to get ready (but it doesn’t taste that way). Save this for when you really want to impress someone, but don’t have much time. Oh, and it’s free from fat!

Ingredients

1 16oz box of Betty Crocker Pound Cake mix

Roughly ¼ C flour

1 snack sized cup of apple sauce

2 eggs

2/3 C water with a splash of vanilla extract

½ T Chinese Five Spice Powder

Preheat oven to 325˚. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake until done.  That’s it.  Feel free to take all the credit!