"We weren't made to keep up. We were made to be free. To be who we already are." -Rebekah Lyons

I'm not really an outdoorsy person but I always feel refreshed and renewed after spending time in nature. I took a walk on the outskirts of the Stones River National Battlefield and I took note of what was around me: birdsong, crickets, wind, coolness, butterflies, sun, shade, water, rocks, dragonfly, turtle, ants and even a wild turkey (and it chased me, I ran back to civilization as quickly as I could).

Among the foliage and mass of trees were these tall grasses with long thin leaves that gently blew in the breeze. Grasses shooting up with tenderness and confidence. They only needed to be what they were. They were only ever meant to be free, free to bend in the wind, free to soak in the sun and rain, free to grow.

In that moment I envied the carefreeness of those plants, no rushing around, no fretting, and yet they thrived. I believe we are made to be free, to be a peace, to enjoy life. Again, from Rebekah Lyons' book You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are, she reminds us, "We cannot prioritize our doing before being, our assignment before healing, our service before freedom."

Made for freedom is an original painting is acrylic on 16" x 16" x 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas. Enjoy more of the Emerging collection.