You learn from your parents, and your children, nieces and nephews will learn from you.  What will they learn?  Will they see success or will they see you slide? Will you reject accountability and let your pride slide you away from what really matters into an unseen hardships?

Continuing our series on freedom using quotes from the movie Braveheart, allow Princess Isabelle to lead the query, “The king will be dead in a month and his son is a weakling. Who do you think will rule this kingdom?”

That’s the question that faced David as he passed his kingship to his son Solomon. 

This week I’m examining the theme of freedom and the words of William Wallace from the movie Braveheart.

Scotland

I admire people who have courage to do what’s right. William Wallace believed that the people deserved leaders who served the interests of the people.  And he was brave enough to speak up.

Wallace challenged the Scottish nobility that they should pursue freedom for the common Scots, but they were more interested in their own safety, privilege and wealth, than the welfare of the people.

Braveheart’s William Wallace declared, “I am William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You’ve come to fight as free men… and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?” 1

What will you do with that freedom?  This week I’m exploring the theme of freedom.

My Freedom

Freedom and me have not always been good friends.

My parents taught me to respect people, animal and things, work hard and live a law-abiding life.  They did their best. 

Several years ago Amy and I rented the movie Braveheart.  

We were both looking forward to watching it.

That night was also opening night of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament — my favorite night to watch basketball — so Amy decided to watch Braveheart while I was at work.

I got home excited to watch the late night games.  I unlocked the door and walked in.  There was Amy, looking at me with a red, puffy, wet, tear-filled face.  Next to her lay a pile of used tissues.  Concerned, I cautiously asked, “What’s wrong?”

Science was usually my favorite class.   My junior high science teacher — Mr. Eck — enjoyed teaching, loved science and liked teenagers.  Which makes the following story so frustrating.

L.A.Z.Y.

While some teens face the challenges of A.D.D., A.D.H.D., O.C.D., or O.D.D, I did not.  I didn’t have any of those. I had L.A.Z.Y.  I was lazy and I was good at it.

One morning I began waking up as the sun peaked through my bedroom window.  As I began to stir a question began to form in my still groggy mind.  “What day is it?”

My parents have always been wise about money.

My parents tried to pass their wisdom and insights onto me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t listen.

I’ve learned my lesson.  Amy and I cut up our credit cards.  We’ve been following Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps and budget tips.

Even though not using credit meant we had less credit available, we only buy what we can afford.

You can read more about our debt-free journey here entitled, Got Money Stress?

Perhaps you’ve watched one of these recent films The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian or more recently, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Each of the movies is based on a novel by C.S. Lewis.

Lewis was a teacher, writer and theologian. He wrote books which were witty and wise, warm and welcoming.

Beware Freedom Which Relies On People

A couple years ago we had some homeless mice take residence in our home.  After they mocked us mercilessly we sought to trap them.  We assumed we caused one’s demise as the house filled with a nasty odor.  We checked our traps and set about to use our sniffers to find the body but to no avail.

A few stinking days slowly passed and after a while we could smell the dead mouse no more.

Last week we smelled a “dead mouse” again.  A search turned up nothing.  Each visitor was warned vociferously about entering our stinky house.  Graciously they persevered and enjoyed our company despite the odors.

Have you ever been handcuffed? Even for fun? It’s limiting, restrictive and a bit intimidating.

That’s how I feel about fear. Fear limits, restricts and intimidates me. And it limits, restricts and intimidates you. Doesn’t it?

What causes your fears may be different than what causes mine, but we feel the same way. God wants to free us from the handcuffs that bind us. God wants to free us to be who we were created to be:

“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” [Isaiah 41:10]

Our Pandemic

“While the H1N1 virus has sickened tens of thousands of people and closed summer camps in a season when there should be little flu activity, it has killed far fewer than the 36,000 Americans who die from seasonal influenza each year. ”

I had not idea — no idea — that the “flu” was so deadly. I was blind to the pain and suffering that people experience.

In order to protect themselves many people defensively protect themselves with masks.