Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  Psalm 51:10-12 KJV

The signature line of my text message reads "FREE".  Several people have asked me what it means.  I have an interesting story behind it!

Have you ever gotten to the point in your life where you just feel like the people around you, the people you were closest to have become your worst enemies?  I was almost there!

I had gotten to the point where some of my relationships had me bound.  I didn't know what each day would hold.  Were things going to get better or were things going to get worse?  That's why the last post I added was so important.  It kind of read me; saw right through me!  (Read it, if you haven't already!)

I decided a few weeks ago that nothing would stand in the way of what God has for me.  You realize that he can't give you what he wants you to have if you allow things to hinder your progress.  I was holding on to some anger, that nearly turned into bitterness.  We're not supposed to let trivial things that waste your time and energy prevent you from accomplishing what God has called you to do.  The situations were consuming me.  So in order to control the negative thoughts, I realized I had to get away from the negative people.  The bible says; Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away with you, with all malice.  And ye be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you  Ephesians 4:31-32.

So I called up the person that I was most upset with, the one that had me bound the most and told that person that I forgive them.  They apologized, how sincere it was I don't know.  But I had done my part.  Forgiveness is a transaction.  You cannot force a person to accept it but you must be willing to let the other person know that you are hurt and be willing to forgive.  The others were not as serious so I prayed and asked God to help me to deal with them and to forgive them for their actions.  I can't tell you in words how good I've felt ever since.  No I haven't forgotten any of it but I have moved on.  I can focus now on the things that I'm supposed to be doing.  I AM FREE!

Anita