What does Freedom mean to you?

[simpleas]

Or “What is freedom?”

These questions seem to keep popping up at me recently. St Paul tells us that it was freedom that Christ came to set us free. I always thought this to be that Christ freed us from sin, and he does this, but I think it means alot more.

Do you feel as a catholic that you are free when you obey the rules within the church, or do you feel that rules can led a person into sin, because they don’t want to be told how they should live their own life?
I’ve heard the saying that rules and regulations only be insisted on with moderation, so not to burden the lives of the faithful. What can this mean?

If you are obeying the rules of church teaching, then one should be free, because they want to obey …right? But people who find teachings hard to obey would feel that they are trapped…

So what freedom is Christ showing us?

 

[Cricket2]

Freedom is more than having the liberty to do as we please or like. It includes responsibility, putting others first, of course putting God first, and even placing limits on what one can do. Freedom is a state of mind and being, through which the person makes choices and decisions that include the rights and respect of others, not just their own desires and wishes. Without God there is no freedom.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

“Freedom isn’t necessarily the privilege of having the choice between good or evil, but the ability to choose only good.” Anonymous."

When a person makes a choice, it is often seen as good for themselves, even when they know it’s evil, but they see the good in it, for themselves believing that the evil is for others.

A person who sees evil for what it is and is able to reject it, and chooses only what is truly good, is truly free.

Jim

 

[OneSheep]

Or “What is freedom?”

These questions seem to keep popping up at me recently. St Paul tells us that it was freedom that Christ came to set us free. I always thought this to be that Christ freed us from sin, and he does this, but I think it means alot more.

Do you feel as a catholic that you are free when you obey the rules within the church, or do you feel that rules can led a person into sin, because they don’t want to be told how they should live their own life?

To me, we become “free” from our appetites when we are empowered to repent from slavery to them. People are going to sin whether or not there are rules because we have our appetites, we are born ignorant, and we are capable of blindness.

I’ve heard the saying that rules and regulations only be insisted on with moderation, so not to burden the lives of the faithful. What can this mean?

I think that the “saying” needs to be put in context, Simpleas. I have no idea.

If you are obeying the rules of church teaching, then one should be free, because they want to obey …right? But people who find teachings hard to obey would feel that they are trapped…

So what freedom is Christ showing us?

To me, Christ is showing us that there is freedom in discipline. Our nature pulls us to be sex/dominance/control/machines wanting popularity,material stuff, and hanging onto grudges. This is what we are freed from through discipline, through discipleship.

However, if the call to discipleship changes from an invitation to coercion, then there is going to be some push-back.

And yes, there is more to the “freedom”, but this is where it starts.

 

[simpleas]

To me, we become “free” from our appetites when we are empowered to repent from slavery to them. People are going to sin whether or not there are rules because we have our appetites, we are born ignorant, and we are capable of blindness.

I think that the “saying” needs to be put in context, Simpleas. I have no idea.

To me, Christ is showing us that there is freedom in discipline. Our nature pulls us to be sex/dominance/control/machines wanting popularity,material stuff, and hanging onto grudges. This is what we are freed from through discipline, through discipleship.

However, if the call to discipleship changes from an invitation to coercion, then there is going to be some push-back.

And yes, there is more to the “freedom”, but this is where it starts.

It was a quote from the Popes EVANGELII GAUDIUM – THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL
Here is the link : acireland.ie/evangelii-gaudium/

Saint Thomas Aquinas pointed out that the precepts which Christ and the apostles gave to the people of God “are very few”. Citing Saint Augustine, he noted that the precepts subsequently enjoined by the Church should be insisted upon with moderation “so as not to burden the lives of the faithful” and make our religion a form of servitude, whereas “God’s mercy has willed that we should be free”. This warning, issued many centuries ago, is most timely today. It ought to be one of the criteria to be taken into account in considering a reform of the Church and her preaching which would enable it to reach everyone.”

I wondered what it could relate to, do some of us feel burdened by our faith, when really we should feel free…

I like that he say’s, " that The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”

Many on CAF say you should never take communion with a mortal sin on your soul, or if you do you should attend confession asap after.

 

[simpleas]

Freedom is more than having the liberty to do as we please or like. It includes responsibility, putting others first, of course putting God first, and even placing limits on what one can do. Freedom is a state of mind and being, through which the person makes choices and decisions that include the rights and respect of others, not just their own desires and wishes. Without God there is no freedom.

Thanks.
If a person doesn’t take their own desire and wishes on board also, they may suppress them for a time, so this wouldn’t be freedom in that sense. Their own desire/wishes will at some point re-surface, and they maybe worse off.

 

[simpleas]

“Freedom isn’t necessarily the privilege of having the choice between good or evil, but the ability to choose only good.” Anonymous."

When a person makes a choice, it is often seen as good for themselves, even when they know it’s evil, but they see the good in it, for themselves believing that the evil is for others.

A person who sees evil for what it is and is able to reject it, and chooses only what is truly good, is truly free.

Jim

Thanks.
I suppose it depends on what is evil. Someone may see something or someone as evil, another person would not see evil?

I’m not sure if how a person knows something is evil and acts on it, but believes it doesn’t effect themself only other people, but maybe there are some like that.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

simpleas

I suppose it depends on what is evil.

Evil is evil. Our perception may be flawed, but it still remains evil.

Someone may see something or someone as evil, another person would not see evil?

Some might understand what is evil, or they may see it as evil, but only with regards for consequences they might have to suffer should they get caught. However, for themselves, they see it as good at the moment.

As an example, the thief knows stealing is wrong, but he see’s the cash he will obtain as good for himself, so he has no scruples about stealing. Eventually he’ll be caught and punished which will cause suffering for himself. However, even if he is not caught by local authorities, all sin has consequences to it, which the thief will suffer for in this life and the next, if he doesn’t repent and transform his life.

It’s why only those who have the ability to choose only good, are truly free.

The rest of us are enslaved to the consequences of our choices when we choose evil.

Jim

 

[OneSheep]

It was a quote from the Popes EVANGELII GAUDIUM – THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL
Here is the link : acireland.ie/evangelii-gaudium/

Saint Thomas Aquinas pointed out that the precepts which Christ and the apostles gave to the people of God “are very few”. Citing Saint Augustine, he noted that the precepts subsequently enjoined by the Church should be insisted upon with moderation “so as not to burden the lives of the faithful” and make our religion a form of servitude, whereas “God’s mercy has willed that we should be free”. This warning, issued many centuries ago, is most timely today. It ought to be one of the criteria to be taken into account in considering a reform of the Church and her preaching which would enable it to reach everyone.”

I wondered what it could relate to, do some of us feel burdened by our faith, when really we should feel free…

I like that he say’s, " that The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”

Many on CAF say you should never take communion with a mortal sin on your soul, or if you do you should attend confession asap after.

Well, we are to refrain from communion if we have a mortal sin on our soul, are we not? The sacrament of reconciliation is there to spiritually bring us back into communion. Personally, I am not the “Eucharist Police”, I think that everyone has to be guided by their conscience. However, for example let’s say a person is at odds with another member of the community, they have had angry words with each other, they hold their grudges. Would either of them receiving communion without reconciling reflect real communion?

On the other hand, hmmm, “medicine for the weak”. For me, I do not associate any unusual or special powers with the eucharist specifically. The special power is what is happening or has happened in our spiritual life. The eucharist is a sacrament, a sign. It is a sign of what has happened already or will happen, in this case, communion. So, it does make sense that the communion “will happen” after the reception, it stands to reason. Will the receiving of communion empower an unrepentant person to mend their ways, or will such reception only be seen as something insignificant? It depends on the individual.

Thanks for the quote. Some people find great “freedom” in the security of the tight designs of certain disciplines, they need restrictions to guide their behaviors because life seems out of control and lost. Again, it depends on the individual, which is exactly the tone of your question, “what does freedom mean to you?”. I find freedom in a moderate amount of discipline. I do not fret about not remembering to do something, though.

 

[Cricket2]

Well, we are to refrain from communion if we have a mortal sin on our soul, are we not? The sacrament of reconciliation is there to spiritually bring us back into communion. Personally, I am not the “Eucharist Police”, I think that everyone has to be guided by their conscience. However, for example let’s say a person is at odds with another member of the community, they have had angry words with each other, they hold their grudges. Would either of them receiving communion without reconciling reflect real communion?

On the other hand, hmmm, “medicine for the weak”. For me, I do not associate any unusual or special powers with the eucharist specifically. The special power is what is happening or has happened in our spiritual life. The eucharist is a sacrament, a sign. It is a sign of what has happened already or will happen, in this case, communion. So, it does make sense that the communion “will happen” after the reception, it stands to reason. Will the receiving of communion empower an unrepentant person to mend their ways, or will such reception only be seen as something insignificant? It depends on the individual.

Thanks for the quote. Some people find great “freedom” in the security of the tight designs of certain disciplines, they need restrictions to guide their behaviors because life seems out of control and lost. Again, it depends on the individual, which is exactly the tone of your question, “what does freedom mean to you?”. I find freedom in a moderate amount of discipline. I do not fret about not remembering to do something, though.

The Eucharist is more than a sign or symbol. It IS the Body of Christ, and has great power as such. It is healing and redemptive. When a person responds Amen at the receiving of Communion they are saying they agree with and accept all the teachings of the Church and Christ. Receiving Communion in a state of mortal sin is a very reckless thing to do, as one is agreeing that they are guilty of that mortal sin and therefore should expect the consequences which could be eternal separation from God.

The more one lives their life according to the will of God the greater their communion becomes.

 

[simpleas]

simpleas

Evil is evil. Our perception may be flawed, but it still remains evil.

Some might understand what is evil, or they may see it as evil, but only with regards for consequences they might have to suffer should they get caught. However, for themselves, they see it as good at the moment.

As an example, the thief knows stealing is wrong, but he see’s the cash he will obtain as good for himself, so he has no scruples about stealing. Eventually he’ll be caught and punished which will cause suffering for himself. However, even if he is not caught by local authorities, all sin has consequences to it, which the thief will suffer for in this life and the next, if he doesn’t repent and transform his life.

It’s why only those who have the ability to choose only good, are truly free.

The rest of us are enslaved to the consequences of our choices when we choose evil.

Jim

Thanks
Funny you should use a thief as an example, I had the wing mirror on my car stolen last night!

The thing about people who can choose only good are truly free…Jesus spoke of the people who thought they were good and righteous and people who were “sinners”, that the sinner would enter the kingdom before the good and righteous…or something to that effect.
Maybe he was just showing the people who thought they were good, that they were no better than the “sinner” because we all are sinners. Or that we can’t say we can only choose good…I don’t know.

 

[simpleas]

Well, we are to refrain from communion if we have a mortal sin on our soul, are we not? The sacrament of reconciliation is there to spiritually bring us back into communion. Personally, I am not the “Eucharist Police”, I think that everyone has to be guided by their conscience. However, for example let’s say a person is at odds with another member of the community, they have had angry words with each other, they hold their grudges. Would either of them receiving communion without reconciling reflect real communion?

On the other hand, hmmm, “medicine for the weak”. For me, I do not associate any unusual or special powers with the eucharist specifically. The special power is what is happening or has happened in our spiritual life. The eucharist is a sacrament, a sign. It is a sign of what has happened already or will happen, in this case, communion. So, it does make sense that the communion “will happen” after the reception, it stands to reason. Will the receiving of communion empower an unrepentant person to mend their ways, or will such reception only be seen as something insignificant? It depends on the individual.

Thanks for the quote. Some people find great “freedom” in the security of the tight designs of certain disciplines, they need restrictions to guide their behaviors because life seems out of control and lost. Again, it depends on the individual, which is exactly the tone of your question, “what does freedom mean to you?”. I find freedom in a moderate amount of discipline. I do not fret about not remembering to do something, though.

I suppose it could depend on the persons conscience if they believe it’s a mortal sin that they need to confess before receiving communion, but yes we are to refrain. I agree with the conscience remark. Holding a grudge against each other, well who knows what they believe in their heart. But receiving communion may help give them the grace they need to reconcile with each other. This is what I think the pope was referring to, that a person who goes to confession and communion isn’t to burden a person into not receiving the body and blood of Christ because they have not confessed, because receiving may in fact give them the grace they need to confess. So yes this would depend on the individual and their connection to God.

The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. I can accept that you : *I do not associate any unusual or special powers with the eucharist specifically. The special power is what is happening or has happened in our spiritual life. *
Because I know people find their own connection, faith, oneness with God in different ways. I personally have experienced great fullment and joy when I parttake in the Eucharist, but this doesn’t happen everytime, and I think it depends on my mood or emotions.

I find freedom in a moderate amount of discipline. I do not fret about not remembering to do something, though./

Are you talking about church discipline or your own discipline. I mean, when you were young (not that I’m saying you’re old!) that you learnt from the church rules, experienced life and now can discipline yourself without needing to worry that you need to go confess regular?

 

[OneSheep]

I suppose it could depend on the persons conscience if they believe it’s a mortal sin that they need to confess before receiving communion, but yes we are to refrain. I agree with the conscience remark. Holding a grudge against each other, well who knows what they believe in their heart. But receiving communion may help give them the grace they need to reconcile with each other.

It may, true. But even before we pray we are called to forgive people we hold something against. It’s all going to depend on the individual - hopefully, guided by Church teaching.

This is what I think the pope was referring to, that a person who goes to confession and communion isn’t to burden a person into not receiving the body and blood of Christ because they have not confessed, because receiving may in fact give them the grace they need to confess. So yes this would depend on the individual and their connection to God.

I agree with that message.

The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. I can accept that you : *I do not associate any unusual or special powers with the eucharist specifically. The special power is what is happening or has happened in our spiritual life. *
Because I know people find their own connection, faith, oneness with God in different ways. I personally have experienced great fullment and joy when I parttake in the Eucharist, but this doesn’t happen everytime, and I think it depends on my mood or emotions.

To me, the Eucharist is a mystery. It means “thanksgiving”, but it also signifies communion with the Church and with God.

I find freedom in a moderate amount of discipline. I do not fret about not remembering to do something, though./

Are you talking about church discipline or your own discipline. I mean, when you were young (not that I’m saying you’re old!) that you learnt from the church rules, experienced life and now can discipline yourself without needing to worry that you need to go confess regular?

I miss Mass, for example, about once every year or two. I do not worry about it; I do not intend anything against God or my community. I pray at some meals, but not all. I am in relationship, but I feel no “pressure” from God. My conscience bothers me a bit sometimes, like how much do I give to the poor, and how much do I need for my kids? It is a struggle to some degree, but it is not a struggle between me and God.

Missing Mass as a mortal sin: In order for it to be a mortal sin, a person has to be aware of what he is doing. People miss mass, among other reasons, because they are ignorant as to what the benefit it can be to be part of the community. They are ignorant of the meaning of the Eucharist, the value is not part of their experience. The people at mass are cold and indifferent, and it all seems like a ruse. Lots of reasons, all based on ignorance or blindness. We can talk about mortal sin, but I never see it happen once we get into the details of the “offense”.

It is not to condemn or condone, but understand. This is adult thinking though.

For children, it is possibly (probably?) appropriate to provide consequences, including saying that missing mass has a number of harmful effects concerning our salvation. “If you don’t want to be with God at Church, He may not want you in heaven.” It makes sense to the “fairness” aspect of God-as-conscience.

Freedom for children and young adults is found in discipline, controlling the appetites. Once these are under control and our empathy is developed, freedom is found in reconciliation with the appetites and all that we condemn within. That is my experience.

 

[simpleas]

It may, true. But even before we pray we are called to forgive people we hold something against. It’s all going to depend on the individual - hopefully, guided by Church teaching.

I agree with that message.

To me, the Eucharist is a mystery. It means “thanksgiving”, but it also signifies communion with the Church and with God.

I miss Mass, for example, about once every year or two. I do not worry about it; I do not intend anything against God or my community. I pray at some meals, but not all. I am in relationship, but I feel no “pressure” from God. My conscience bothers me a bit sometimes, like how much do I give to the poor, and how much do I need for my kids? It is a struggle to some degree, but it is not a struggle between me and God.

Missing Mass as a mortal sin: In order for it to be a mortal sin, a person has to be aware of what he is doing. People miss mass, among other reasons, because they are ignorant as to what the benefit it can be to be part of the community. They are ignorant of the meaning of the Eucharist, the value is not part of their experience. The people at mass are cold and indifferent, and it all seems like a ruse. Lots of reasons, all based on ignorance or blindness. We can talk about mortal sin, but I never see it happen once we get into the details of the “offense”.

It is not to condemn or condone, but understand. This is adult thinking though.

For children, it is possibly (probably?) appropriate to provide consequences, including saying that missing mass has a number of harmful effects concerning our salvation. “If you don’t want to be with God at Church, He may not want you in heaven.” It makes sense to the “fairness” aspect of God-as-conscience.

Freedom for children and young adults is found in discipline, controlling the appetites. Once these are under control and our empathy is developed, freedom is found in reconciliation with the appetites and all that we condemn within. That is my experience.

Thanks.

So would it be fair to say you experience freedom through your own experience with God, but to a degree from church teaching?
I suppose none of us could be where we are in our relationship with God and others if we hadn’t received some good advice from wise teachers.
Now you’re an adult, you have been given the tools to seek God and do good to others, but no longer need to believe teaching on mortal sin?

For children, it is possibly (probably?) appropriate to provide consequences, including saying that missing mass has a number of harmful effects concerning our salvation. “If you don’t want to be with God at Church, He may not want you in heaven.” It makes sense to the “fairness” aspect of God-as-conscience.

Just thinking on this, it could reverse the effect of a child wanting to go to church if they think God will not want them in heaven. They may start to think I have to go to church or God will not love me or let me into heaven, and their experience and belief could be altered so that they get the wrong message of God.

 

[OneSheep]

Thanks.

So would it be fair to say you experience freedom through your own experience with God, but to a degree from church teaching?
I suppose none of us could be where we are in our relationship with God and others if we hadn’t received some good advice from wise teachers.
Now you’re an adult, you have been given the tools to seek God and do good to others, but no longer need to believe teaching on mortal sin?

Well, teachings on mortal sin can be a motivator, but they still stand as a threat of “God wll not love me or let me into heaven” as you point out below. However, if this threat leads to repentance from sin, then it is worth it! Still, when it comes down to it, I don’t see anyone ever committing mortal sins. People are not aware of the gravity of their sins, period.

A threat that says “you will have a miserable life if you do not follow Jesus” is valid to me. A priest once told me that yes, Christ is the way, the only way. When someone from another faith goes to heaven, they still do so through Christ.

For children, it is possibly (probably?) appropriate to provide consequences, including saying that missing mass has a number of harmful effects concerning our salvation. “If you don’t want to be with God at Church, He may not want you in heaven.” It makes sense to the “fairness” aspect of God-as-conscience.

Just thinking on this, it could reverse the effect of a child wanting to go to church if they think God will not want them in heaven. They may start to think I have to go to church or God will not love me or let me into heaven, and their experience and belief could be altered so that they get the wrong message of God.

Yes, the teaching on mortal sin does send a “wrong message” to some degree. But remember, to a child, God is the same as our conscience (once they develop a conscience). Does your conscience love you unconditionally? Mine doesn’t. When I behave or do “good” things, my conscience “loves” me. When I mess up, my conscience despises me. So, to a child, a conditionally loving God makes sense because God is the same as the conscience at that age, and this is the case for many people throughout their lives.

In order for the child to find the God underneath, the God who loves them unconditionally, the child must take the steps to forgive everyone else who messes up.

As far as “not going to Church” being a serious sin; it takes a lot of explanation and understanding to make the case for this. A “community of believers” that refrains from convening is a serious blow to the viability of the community. In that sense, to me, not attending mass is a serious sin. The loss is communal, and then individual, because the communal is gone. To me, it is not a matter of God’s offense at the act, it is a matter of seeing real consequences to the mindset that gathering does not matter.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Or “What is freedom?”

These questions seem to keep popping up at me recently. St Paul tells us that it was freedom that Christ came to set us free. I always thought this to be that Christ freed us from sin, and he does this, but I think it means alot more.

Do you feel as a catholic that you are free when you obey the rules within the church, or do you feel that rules can led a person into sin, because they don’t want to be told how they should live their own life?
I’ve heard the saying that rules and regulations only be insisted on with moderation, so not to burden the lives of the faithful. What can this mean?

If you are obeying the rules of church teaching, then one should be free, because they want to obey …right? But people who find teachings hard to obey would feel that they are trapped…

So what freedom is Christ showing us?

The truth sets us free. Order and structure also sets us free. Knowing where we stand is a freedom as well. So to me freedom is the ability to go to Mass without interference. Freedom to receive the sacraments without being ridiculed by your pastor (happened to me) freedom from sin. in a corporal sense to me being free is to own what I want. If i want to own a gun I should be able to do so without the Government telling yes or no. or if I want to live my heart’s desire, should be without all the difficulty that is in the way. I think we aren’t free till Christ comes then true freedom will be ours. I want to go to Germany. yet money is restricting me so I am not free to do so. Money is an imprisonment. being free to me is not to be sick or infirmed. Lack of talent is also an imprisonment. So in some ways we are NOT free but imprisoned. I want to play the organ. i should be able to without restriction . So my feelings is. we are free spiritually but not physically.

 

[simpleas]

Well, teachings on mortal sin can be a motivator, but they still stand as a threat of “God wll not love me or let me into heaven” as you point out below. However, if this threat leads to repentance from sin, then it is worth it! Still, when it comes down to it, I don’t see anyone ever committing mortal sins. People are not aware of the gravity of their sins, period.

A threat that says “you will have a miserable life if you do not follow Jesus” is valid to me. A priest once told me that yes, Christ is the way, the only way. When someone from another faith goes to heaven, they still do so through Christ.

Yes, the teaching on mortal sin does send a “wrong message” to some degree. But remember, to a child, God is the same as our conscience (once they develop a conscience). Does your conscience love you unconditionally? Mine doesn’t. When I behave or do “good” things, my conscience “loves” me. When I mess up, my conscience despises me. So, to a child, a conditionally loving God makes sense because God is the same as the conscience at that age, and this is the case for many people throughout their lives.

In order for the child to find the God underneath, the God who loves them unconditionally, the child must take the steps to forgive everyone else who messes up.

As far as “not going to Church” being a serious sin; it takes a lot of explanation and understanding to make the case for this. A “community of believers” that refrains from convening is a serious blow to the viability of the community. In that sense, to me, not attending mass is a serious sin. The loss is communal, and then individual, because the communal is gone. To me, it is not a matter of God’s offense at the act, it is a matter of seeing real consequences to the mindset that gathering does not matter.

Yes, if we do something stupid we may beat ourselves up about it, depending on how serious it is, we should just let it go and move on, but we sometimes have many people around us to remind us and judge us, so it makes it more difficult.

I remember being told as a child that God see’s everything! That was a good learning rule for me, so if I was tempted to do or take something when I thought noone was watching, I knew God could see me! lol.

You could be right about the gathering of people in church, its very much a social thing, think it always was.

 

[simpleas]

The truth sets us free. Order and structure also sets us free. Knowing where we stand is a freedom as well. So to me freedom is the ability to go to Mass without interference. Freedom to receive the sacraments without being ridiculed by your pastor (happened to me) freedom from sin. in a corporal sense to me being free is to own what I want. If i want to own a gun I should be able to do so without the Government telling yes or no. or if I want to live my heart’s desire, should be without all the difficulty that is in the way. I think we aren’t free till Christ comes then true freedom will be ours. I want to go to Germany. yet money is restricting me so I am not free to do so. Money is an imprisonment. being free to me is not to be sick or infirmed. Lack of talent is also an imprisonment. So in some ways we are NOT free but imprisoned. I want to play the organ. i should be able to without restriction . So my feelings is. we are free spiritually but not physically.

Thanks.
I think that if we are trapped physically as you say, we are trapped spiritually also. Having a desire or need for something materialistic and being frustrated when we can’t have it or control it effects us spiritually in a way.
Being free from a materialistic world seems to have better spiritual benefits, you don’t need to have this or that to think that you are happy. Or course the world we live in has many distractions!

 

[OneSheep]

Yes, if we do something stupid we may beat ourselves up about it, depending on how serious it is, we should just let it go and move on, but we sometimes have many people around us to remind us and judge us, so it makes it more difficult.

“Let go and move on” is hard to do without the preliminaries. What is called for is forgiveness, and forgiveness for an adult means understanding why we did what we did, which leads to a “letting go”, yes, but as a result of forgiveness and understanding.

When people judge us, that is another opportunity to forgive, right?

 

[Deltadeliquent]

What is freedom? I’m not sure.
The only time I’ve felt a real lack of freedom is as a married woman.