Today's guest post is by Kaitlin Cook

Those of us that live in America love the word Freedom. Every patriotic holiday we are reminded of our Freedom and those who have sacrificed themselves for that freedom. We are so “free” we have “freedom fries” and “freedom toast” (because the French are not free enough to be associated with our fried potato sticks and fluffy breakfast bread).

What about our freedom from and for something besides America?

I have started this new “diet”. I am not trying to lose weight so hang with me a little longer. I lived with “reflux like symptoms” my whole life, but no diagnosis could be found. TMI ALERT: It is super miserable to finish eating and then have half of your meals come back up, hoping no one else at the table notices. One day my father-in-law started going to see a voo-doo doctor (not really, we just call her this). She specializes in Nutrition Response Testing (more info here).

So I gave in, and I went.

It is super crazy what she does and tells you all of the things your body “doesn’t like”. Hmm…that’s weird my body sure liked these foods of 20+ years before. I have been on this for a week now and have DREADED eating. I can have protein, veggies, and water. I also have an aluminum intolerance so nothing can come out of a can. I know you’re thinking “that’s not hard”. I would love to hear your yummy recipes with no eggs, milk, cheese, wheat, rye, sugar, flour, and fruit. Oh I cannot forget 4 supplements a day. Needless to say, it is EXHAUSTING trying to find dinner.

Monday, as I was thinking about my diet, what to eat, etc. and I realized some people feel like this about being a Christian. I see all of my secular friends wearing the cutest clothes, but if I were to put that on, my modest mouse self couldn’t bring myself out of the dressing room, much less the cash register. I would love to be able to sleep in on Sunday mornings like I have heard other people talk about, but I am in church. So why does being a Christian sometimes feel like a restricting diet?

Try the condition of your heart. Is your heart longing for God or for things of this world?

I am so glad I am a modest mouse and don’t give another man’s eye the opportunity to “wonder” more than their minds already do. There are certain parts of my body that are for my husband, not for yours. I am so grateful to go to church on Sunday and worship an awesome God with some amazing Christians and role models. I chose in my heart to follow Christ and I have so much freedom to love and be loved because of it. Pure, holy love. We are brought out of nothing, to be SET FREE!

Romans 6:6-7  We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

This is how I am going to choose to look at my diet from now on. It will no longer be the Burden to Eat Healthy, it will be the Freedom to Feel Better. Just like my relationship with Christ is not a Burden to Follow Jesus, but a Freedom to Have Eternal Life.

Here’s to our Freedom.

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin's my virtual buddy. We've got a couple of awesome mutual friends on Facebook and mostly got connected that way. She's a bold and beautiful gal who's not afraid to share her faith including a thought or too that might not be the most popular (according to the world's standards).  She "tells it like it is" in the most gracious manner. Kaitlin and I have done a little geographical switcheroo when it comes to our abodes. I'm from central Texas where she now lives. Her roots are here in Southeast Texas where I now I hang my hat. Let her know you appreciate her thoughts today. 

And let me know if you have something to share on "A Thursday for Your Thoughts"...Maybe a yummy recipe for a wheat free muffin for Kaitlin or your own story of freedom. 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 

I'm thankful for those before us who have served. My gratitude is for women and men who are currently serving (like Kaitlyn's husband). Let's remember those who've gone before us, and also not forget to pray for those currently defending freedom. Pray for their families.