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Location: Clearwater, South Carolina, United States

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

freedom

As I stared out the window of the 7th floor hospital room, I noticed a sea gull riding the air currents high above the buildings of the complex. This is somewhat unusual inasmuch as we are not near the coast but occasionally a few will get blown off course to our area. The sun reflecting off the white of its wings contrasted with the blue of an absolutely clear sky. Its flight spoke to me of the freedom found in soaring high above the labors, problems and sorrows of the earthbound beings.

High above the gull, a small plane crossed my field of vision at a much faster rate of speed. The plane went out of my sight in a southerly direction, symbolizing to me that these few folks were striving to escape the dullness of the daily routines – or going about the workings of commerce. Like the gull, these also enjoyed for a short time the freedom of flight that the earthbound ones do not.

Up higher still, in the colder, rarefied air of the upper atmosphere, a white contrail evidenced the passage of a large jet at a much higher rate of speed. It was a tiny speck and I was unable to identify whether it was an airliner filled with folks enjoying the freedom of movement around the country or a military jet at the business of protecting that freedom – as well as the other freedoms we are privileged to have.

As I watched these three flights, for a brief second all of them lined up in my sight, one directly over and beyond the other at different altitudes. Pondering this, I saw a certain symbolism in the occurrence. My hospital room vantage point suggested our human limitations, yet still looking up to view the freedom of other things like the gull. The small plane spoke to me of the freedoms of a few folks and the high-flying jet indicated even wider views and concepts of freedom.

Then the three flights passed from my view, leaving just the clear blue sky and this suggested to my mind that there was an even higher freedom. This is a freedom that goes beyond the limited ones that we have in the human experience – a spiritual freedom. This freedom comes to us as a gift from God through Jesus Christ – but we must ask for it.

This hospital room of my viewings is the present residence of my wife’s Dad and he is literally fighting for his every breath. He was transported back here on Sunday and he is desirous of freedom to breathe or to be free of this body suffering from multiple health problems, the worst at the present being a very weak heart and double pneumonia. He has voiced his preparedness and desire to leave and go be with his Maker, who will explain to him all the reasons for things that he doesn’t understand now. ec

PS – Wed. pm - FIL is still with us as of this writing and his condition has stabilized a bit but it’s still a struggle for him to breathe – your prayers would be appreciated.

8 Comments:

Blogger JunieRose2005 said...

Mreddie,

Your post was beautiful, tho, sad, as we are never ready to let go of our loved ones; even knowing as you do about your FIL , that he is ready.

Your family have my prayers, that your FIL will be spared pain in this final battle-if that is what it turns out to be!

God Bless-

June

3/01/2006 04:04:00 PM  
Blogger Bonita said...

Mreddie, you have my prayers and consolation; your generous spirit is so uplifting, and your words so poignant for this occasion.

3/01/2006 06:24:00 PM  
Blogger Anvilcloud said...

Times like these are tough. Hang in there.

3/01/2006 07:28:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

My prayers continue.

3/01/2006 07:57:00 PM  
Blogger mreddie said...

junierose - That pain would be spared is our hope and prayer as well.

collen'smom - His readiness is his confession.

bonita - Everything happens for a reason and I saw comfort in what I saw.

AC - Thanks, and you are right, it's tough - but God is a comforter or healer, His will is what we ask.

SSN - And they are appreciated. ec

3/01/2006 09:44:00 PM  
Blogger The MacBean Gene said...

You all are in our prayers. And we have the comfort of knowing a loving and welcoming God is waiting for us when we go home.

3/01/2006 11:32:00 PM  
Blogger jay are said...

a very thought-provoking, well-written post.....sometimes when I see an airplane high above me in a clear sky, silently leaving its white mark against blue canvas, I'm suddenly filled with inexplicable yearning...I think it's for that freedom you wrote about. And not freedom from anything in particular, but just that need in all of us sometimes to be free of all that is of earth and to soar, to escape....
Thinking of your family at this time and hoping that you find comfort and strength.

3/01/2006 11:55:00 PM  
Blogger mreddie said...

TMG - Thanks for your prayers - and it is that comfort of God that is holding the family up.

jay are - Thanks for you comment, freedom is what we all long for in all areas of our lives. We are finding comfort and strength in our loving God, no matter the outcome. ec

3/02/2006 01:41:00 PM  

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