Free to be Me!

My daughter at a very young age strolled through a friends house in her undies. Her dad and I cringed and asked her to find her shorts. She strolled away saying "Free to be me"! Although she put her shorts on (I think). We still laugh about "free to be me". But what does it really mean to be free to be me?

It is often said that we shouldn't worry about what others think about us. I disagree with that statement whole heartily. I have been a bad mommy when I dictate to my children what they are and are not allowed to wear. The horror of that is unspeakable. I have reminded our children more often than not that what they wear in public represents our entire family, our church family and most importantly it represents our Heavenly Father. I firmly believe that what others should see is Jesus. Do we really think that when we have cleavage far and wide showing that someone looks at us and says "oh what a Godly person she is"? I hardly think so. If we are wearing skulls and vulgar language on our clothes do you really think that someone may get saved? Matthew chapter 18 addresses those who cause ourselves or others to stumble. 6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

This is also where we (meaning born again Christians) get called hypocrites. Because I believe that we can cause others to stumble and because I believe that I should do my best to live according to God's Will and because I take a stand against things, I will certainly be called a hypocrite when caught in a sin. But big BUT here - I will NEVER say that I don't and won't sin. I am a SINNER saved by grace. I will continue to sin. I will stumble daily and I will repent and I will get back up and try again. I will continue to strive to live according to His Word. Yes, I will most assuredly fail. I will cause others to stumble and I will make bad decisions. Romans 3:23 tells us that For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But His word also tells us that we can have renewal by His word. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect. He knows we are going to stumble but He also gives us the ability to discern right from wrong.

So - Yes I worry about what others think. I can also rejoice if they think I am crazy for my belief. That's OK by me. I can agree to disagree. But I can set my standards and stick to them until God tells me otherwise. And I can have my feelings hurt both when I disappoint you and you dislike me. I'm wired that way - It's who I am. But I don't apologize for that. I am after all free to be me and you are free to be you!

I love you guys!
Diane